Car Accident Lawyers in Raleigh, NC

Handling Motor Vehicle Accidents With Care

Car accidents have become commonplace. Too many drivers ignore safety and distract themselves with some activity instead of focusing on the roads. Commonplace or not, accidents have significantly altered the course of many lives. At O’Malley Tunstall PC, in Raleigh, North Carolina, our car accident attorneys serve Fayetteville and surrounding areas. If a car accident led to your catastrophic injury or the death of a family member, we are available to help you begin rebuilding your life by pursuing compensation for your losses.

Surviving a frightening auto accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident can be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging. Did you know that you may be able to hold the other driver or their employer responsible if their actions caused you harm?

Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in the United States. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to know your rights and seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.

When you need an experienced car accident lawyer, truck accident lawyer, or motorcycle accident lawyer in the Raleigh area or anywhere else in Eastern North Carolina, the accident attorneys at O’Malley Tunstall PC are here to help.

We can help secure the best possible resolution for your injuries. Catastrophic accident injuries can alter your life in a split second, resulting in prolonged medical attention, missed work, and more. Our firm will explore all possible options to reach the settlement you need and deserve for your personal injuries caused in a car accident, which can include:

Paralysis
Fractures
Disfigurement
Spinal cord damage
Amputation
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Long-term disability

When an accident results in a death, the surviving loved ones may be entitled to financial damages for medical care, funeral expenses, and the loss of support. We also handle Social Security Disability claims for those who become disabled as a result.

Tell us your story, and let us provide the support you need to take legal action. Insurance companies will often not offer you a fair settlement. We are more than willing to take your case to trial and fight for your best interests in court.

There is no charge for your initial consultation at either of our offices in Raleigh. All personal injury claims are handled on a contingency basis. This means you pay no lawyer fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Time is of the essence after an accident. Contact us online or call us 24/7 at (919) 277-0150 toll-free. Our caring lawyers can meet with you in the hospital or in the comfort of your home to start building your case.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IF I AM IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

The most important thing you can do after a collision is to see a health care professional. The sooner you receive medical attention for any injury, the better. It is not an unusual phenomenon for the pain to develop sometime after you leave the scene of an accident; however, long delays in seeking proper medical attention are inadvisable.

Many accident victims do not feel symptoms right away, so seek medical care even if you think you are fine. A health care professional can conduct a thorough examination and order diagnostic tests to check for injuries. This is important for two reasons. First, some injuries take days or weeks to manifest. Second, if you wait too long to seek medical attention and then file an insurance claim later, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.

Keep all of your medical records and documentation related to the cost of your treatment. This will be important evidence if you decide to file a personal injury claim. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony if your case goes to court.

If you or someone you are with has the capacity, get contact information from the other driver and any witnesses to the accident. Also, have someone take pictures of your vehicle as soon as possible and before it is repaired.

The old saying is true, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” As soon as you can, write down your memories about what happened, and keep notes about how you feel and what you did in the days and weeks following the accident. Documenting your personal aches and pain can help if you have to make a personal injury claim later on.

The insurance company may contact you soon after an accident and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to provide a recorded statement, but the insurance company will use anything you say against you later. It is always best to consult with a Raleigh accident attorney first.

In addition, do not sign any documents from the insurance company without consulting with a lawyer. These documents may be releases that waive your right to make a claim in the future. The last thing you want to do is sign away your rights without fully understanding what you are doing.

It is also important that you do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents from the other driver’s insurance company either. Just like your own insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company will use anything you say against you later.

At the scene of the accident, the police will likely file a report. Get a copy of this report, as it can be helpful evidence in your case. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and suffered injuries, our Raleigh personal injury attorneys can help.

WHO PAYS IF I AM INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT OR IF MY CAR IS DAMAGED?

If you are not at fault and another party causes the accident and injury to you or your property, he or she is responsible for your damages, and the other driver’s liability insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries. In North Carolina, there is a doctrine called contributory negligence that states if you were even partially at fault, you could not recover damages.

For example, if the other driver ran a red light but you were speeding, the court may find that you were partially at fault and therefore not eligible to receive any compensation for your injuries or car damage. However, if the other driver was completely at fault, you would be able to recover damages.

It is important to note that in some car accident cases, even if the other driver is found to be entirely at fault, his or her insurance company may try to deny your car accident claim or offer you a low settlement. If this happens, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side who knows how to deal with these insurance companies and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

If your insurance company is offering a settlement, you may be wondering if you should take it. No one can answer that question without knowing the facts of your car accident case which include: how the accident happened, who was at fault, and the extent of all of your damages. Each case must be decided on an individual basis.

This is not a question that can be answered with a generic “yes” or “no.” Personal injury claims may take several years to resolve, based on the complexity of the car accident case. Patience is necessary in order to obtain the best results.

WHAT KIND OF DAMAGES COULD I BE ENTITLED TO?

There are many types of damages that may be available to you if you have been in a car accident. The most common type of damages is economic damages, which are meant to compensate you for your financial losses. These can include:

Lost wages: If you miss work because of your injuries, you can recover your lost wages.
Future lost earnings: If your injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work or you can only return to work in a limited capacity, you may be able to recover your future lost earnings.
Medical expenses: You can recover your current and future medical expenses related to the accident.
Property damage: If your car or other property was damaged in the accident, you could recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for your pain and suffering, as well as any other non-financial losses. These can include:

Pain and suffering: This can include physical pain and emotional suffering.
Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries have greatly impacted your ability to enjoy your life, you may be able to recover damages for this loss.
Loss of consortium: This is available to spouses who have lost the companionship of their husband or wife because of the accident.
Mental anguish: This can include anxiety, fear, and depression.
Emotional distress: If the accident has caused you to suffer from emotional distress, you may be able to recover damages for this.
Punitive damages: These may also be available in some cases. These are meant to punish the at-fault driver for his or her negligence and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior.

In North Carolina, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will most likely be barred from recovering any damages.

This may seem like a long time, but it is important to remember that these cases can take years to resolve. It is best to contact a Raleigh accident attorney as soon as possible so that he or she can begin working on your case and gathering evidence.

Although it is possible to handle your own car accident claim, it is not advisable. Insurance companies have entire teams of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys whose job is to minimize the amount of money they have to pay on claims.

You need someone on your side who knows how to level the playing field and fight for your rights. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact us today for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs or fees, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

HOW CAN A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP MY CASE?

Car accidents are unfortunately all too common, and the aftermath can be physical, emotional, and financially devastating. If you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be wondering how to proceed. Should you handle the case yourself? Is it worth hiring a lawyer?

The answer to these questions depends on many factors specific to your individual case. However, in general, if you’ve been in a serious car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, it’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified Raleigh car accident lawyer.

A Raleigh car accident lawyer can help you in many ways. First, they will thoroughly review the circumstances of your accident and advise you on whether or not you have a strong case. If they believe you do have a case, they will work with you to gather evidence and build a strong argument for why the other driver is at fault.

A car accident lawyer will also be able to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with, and they often try to lowball accident victims by offering them settlements that are far less than they deserve. A good Raleigh car accident lawyer will fight for a fair settlement that covers all of your damages.

Finally, if necessary, a Raleigh car accident lawyer can take your case to court and fight for you there. This is usually only necessary if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, but it is always good to know that you have an experienced legal advocate on your side who is willing to go to bat for you.

Let our experience help further your recovery. We back our experience with industry-recognized skills and a commitment to securing results and meeting clients’ goals.

Our car accident attorneys do not hesitate to take personal injury cases to trial to secure the best result for a client’s car accident claims. We work hard to help our clients who suffer due to negligent drivers recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our law firm represents a variety of motor vehicle accident injury victims, including:

If a negligent driver hit and injured you in Cumberland County or Harnett County or elsewhere along Interstate 95, you need immediate legal help. You should not be suffering from a heavy burden of medical bills when you are unable to work because of someone else’s negligence.

Questions to Ask A Raleigh Car Accident Attorney

How long have you been practicing car accident law in Raleigh, North Carolina?
What percentage of your practice is dedicated to handling car accident cases?
Have you successfully represented clients with similar cases to mine?
Can you explain your fee structure and payment options?
Will I be working directly with you, or will my case be handled by other members of your team?
What is your approach to communication and keeping clients informed about the progress of their case?
How do you typically handle negotiations with insurance companies?
Are you willing to take my case to trial if necessary?
Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
How do you assess the value of a car accident injury claim, and what factors will you consider in my case?

In many instances, to recover outstanding medical bills, health care providers or insurance companies place a lien on an injured individual’s pending settlement or judgment. Our Raleigh car accident lawyers can negotiate with medical and insurance providers in an effort to reduce the amount of a lien.

We can handle every aspect of your case, including helping you apply for Social Security Disability benefits if your car accident injuries prevent you from working. Our lawyers’ goals are to help each client rebuild his or her life as best as possible following a devastating car accident.

To schedule a free consultation with the Raleigh car accident lawyers at O’Malley Tunstall PC, call our Raleigh offices at (919) 277-0150. You may also contact us online. Start your road to recovery and compensation with our Raleigh car accident attorney on your side.