Tag: car accident

What Your Insurance Agent May Not Be Telling You About Your Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Policy

Written by kwmlaw on May 12, 2022. Posted in Kelly & West News.

What happens if you are injured in an auto accident, but the other driver, who caused the accident, doesn’t have enough liability coverage — or any auto insurance— and can’t pay for your injuries? You are not out of luck: your insurance company should help you. When your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage applies and should help compensate you for your injuries.

What is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?

An uninsured motorist (UM) policy provides that you and your passengers will receive compensation for injuries caused by a negligent, uninsured driver. It is found to some degree in most U.S. automobile insurance policies. UM, coverage is generally mandated by statute, up to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for any bodily injury or property damage coverage policy. It will pay for your injuries if the other driver is uninsured and legally responsible for the accident.

What is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?

An underinsured motorist (UIM) policy provides that a covered person will receive compensation due to an injury caused by a negligent, underinsured driver. UIM coverage will apply and provide additional payment if the responsible driver has liability coverage but not enough to compensate for your bills associated with such injuries.

Why is it important?

In the case of an accident, you and your passengers need to be protected against the negligent motorist. North Carolina requires that all drivers carry uninsured (UM) coverage only and then only up to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident. So while you have at least some protection, this is often not nearly enough coverage. We recommend that you have $1 million of UM/UIM coverage on your policy to protect you and anyone riding with you.

What does UM/UIM coverage pay for?

You can benefit from your UM/UIM policy and receive compensation for such things as the following:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering

Who qualifies as a UM/UIM?

The negligent driver may be considered an “uninsured motorist” if they do not have liability coverage or have not been paying their premiums, and therefore, their policy has lapsed. The negligent driver may be considered an “underinsured motorist” if they don’t have enough liability coverage to compensate for your or your passengers’ injuries.

How does your UM/UIM coverage work?

Say you are in an accident and your leg is broken. Your medical bills alone are $40,000, and the driver at fault is an uninsured or underinsured motorist. You will need to file a claim under the UM/UIM section of your policy to receive compensation. Your insurance company will be responsible for paying for your injuries, up to the amount of your UM/UIM coverage. The amount of UM/UIM coverage varies, which means your insurance company may not pay for the whole lump sum. In North Carolina, UM/UIM coverage generally comes in the following amounts, but the amount offered may differ depending on the insurance company providing range:

30/60 – $30,000 per person/ $60,000 per accident
50/100 – $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
100/300 – $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
250/500 – $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident
$1 million – $1,000,000 per person or accident

If your policy provides 30/60 coverage in the above scenario, you would only be compensated for $30,000 and left with a debt of $10,000 that you may have to pay yourself. We advise that you carry $1 million of UM/UIM coverage to ensure as much protection as possible for yourself and your family. You will be surprised how little $1 million of UM/UIM coverage costs, especially when compared to the benefit of having this amount of protection should you need it.

If you have questions about what is best for you and your family, do not hesitate to contact us. Being injured and worried about your medical bills and lost wages can be a headache. We may be able to help you receive just compensation from your insurance company or give you advice about what to do next in your case. Call or visit our website today for a free consultation, and let Kelly & West protect you.

Motorcycle and Car Accidents: How Are They Different?

Written by kwmlaw on June 24, 2021. Posted in Kelly & West News.

All drivers on the road, whether on a motorcycle or in a car, are required to follow the same traffic laws. However, the legal outcomes of an accident can differ depending on the vehicle.

If you were in a motorcycle accident, you may think that your case would be handled the same way as if it were a car, but there are significant differences that mean you may deserve more than what you think. For example, the driver of the car may be at least partially liable because cars have more safety advantages over motorcycles.

Here are other differences between motorcycle accidents and car accidents that many jurors and insurance agents will not know. A good motorcycle accident attorney will help educate and advocate for you.

Many people who do not own or ride motorcycles may perceive those who do as daredevils or dangerous. An experienced attorney will inform the jury of your actions, as a rider, to take precautions and drive safely.
An attorney can also educate the jury about actions you took during an accident that may look wrong to a car driver, such as laying the motorcycle down.
Motorcycles are more difficult to see because they are significantly smaller than a car. Because of this, a driver of a car may not see a motorcyclist when turning or merging into another lane.
There are hazards on the road that are more dangerous for motorcyclists. For example, potholes, slick roads, and debris can mean life or death for someone on a motorcycle, but may not have as much effect in a car.
Fender benders are common among car accidents, but even a “tap” can seriously injure a motorcyclist if hit from behind. In fact, cars take longer to stop than motorcycles do, so if someone is driving too close to the back of a motorcyclist, then that could mean negligence on the car driver’s part.
There are fewer safety precautions for a motorcycle than cars. Because of this, injuries from a motorcycle accident can be more serious, take longer to heal and keep you out of work longer than a car accident. Read these safety tips to cover how you can stay safe on the road.

Having an attorney familiar with laws regarding motorcycle accidents means that you can rely on someone that is familiar with what applies and how these accidents are different from car accidents.

Our firm has more than 35 years of experience. If you were in a motorcycle accident, contact us. We can help you understand your options and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Do I Need a Police Report if I’m in an Accident in North Carolina?

Written by kwmlaw on April 29, 2021. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Whether you are at fault or not, being in a car accident can cause a lot of anxiety, especially if you don’t know what you need to do next. Car accidents are not uncommon, and every driver will likely experience some kind of collision in their lifetime. In fact, nearly 3 million Americans are injured in car crashes every year and 72% of those accidents result in property damages. While your first call may be to your insurance company, do you also need to report the accident to the police? Let’s break it down.

According to the Law

Requirements vary from state to state, but in North Carolina, the law does not require you to file a police report for accidents without bodily injury or property damage. A North Carolina driver is, however, required to file a police report if the accident resulted in significant injury or death, or property damage of over $1000.

So while a police report may not be required in the state of North Carolina, it’s’ better to be safe than sorry. Even if the damage doesn’t appear to be severe, use your judgment. If the other driver decides to turn the story around after the fact and you don’t call the police, you likely won’t have the documentation you’ll need to build a solid case.

A Note About Insurance

Let’s talk about insurance. If you are planning to file an insurance claim, a police report is typically needed in instances where you are seeking compensation for damages.

Our best advice is when in doubt, file a police report, especially if you don’t know the other driver personally, and/or if the damage is severe enough that it would be a financial burden if you had to pay out of pocket.

Have any more questions for us? Contact the Kelly & West team.

Victim of a Hit and Run? Here’s What To Do.

Written by kwmlaw on February 11, 2020. Posted in DWI & Traffic Lawyer and Legal Services, Kelly & West News.

In the state of North Carolina, drivers have a duty to stop and exchange information in the event of a crash. A hit and run is when another person causes damage to your vehicle and then immediately flees the scene, leaving you to care for any damage on your own. Being a victim of a hit and run can be a very costly and stressful situation. If it happens to you, follow these steps to handle the situation the best way possible.

Call for Help

The first thing you should do after getting into a collision is to call 911 if you are injured or call the police to the scene to investigate if you are not injured. Even if the damage isn’t severe, you’ll want to file a police report. It is possible that they might be able to catch the person that hit you if you give them enough information, and the quicker you report the accident the more likely it is that the authorities can track down the other party.

Collect as Much Information as Possible

Being involved in a collision is stressful, and can be disorienting. So, be alert as possible to your surroundings after you have been hit. The more information you can gather, the more the authorities can help you and potentially find the person that hit you.

Information to Collect

License plate number
Make, model, color, and approximate year of the car
Description of the driver
Time and location of the collision

You’ll want to note the context in which the accident took place and take pictures of any injuries or damage to your car for reference. Witnesses are a great resource, so if you see anyone near you, get their contact information.

Stay at the Location

Remaining at the scene gives first responders and emergency vehicles the best context for what happened. Only move your car if it is causing danger to you or others or if it is blocking an intersection or road. The damage caused by a collision might be more severe than it looks, so moving your car might damage your car more or even harm you. If you decide that it is best to move your car, move it to the side of the road as close to the scene of the collision as possible.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the claim. Insurance claims can take a long time to process so you want to get the process started. Insurance companies also want the most accurate information, so updating them quickly after is best. Your insurance company will want just as much information, if not more, than the emergency services. Be prepared to send pictures of the damage to make sure your needs are cared for completely.

Be prepared for a car accident by downloading our free car accident response guide (pdf).

When is a Pedestrian at Fault in a Car Accident?

Written by kwmlaw on April 23, 2019. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Typically, when we think about accidents between a vehicle and a pedestrian, we assume the driver is probably at fault. However, from a legal standpoint, that is not always the case. There are times when the pedestrian is at fault or assumes at least partial responsibility in a vehicle-pedestrian accident.

As the weather warms up, more people are out walking around Lillington and Harnett County for exercise, or to get places — far more pleasant now that the weather isn’t miserable! Here is what you need to know whether you are the pedestrian or the driver if you are involved in an accident.

Determining Fault in a Vehicle-Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians refer to any person on foot, walking, jogging, running, hiking, pushing a stroller, sitting, lying down, or otherwise hanging about a road or highway. Pedestrians also include children playing alongside or in the middle of a street.

Distracted driving, driving too fast, and drunk while under the influence are the most common causes of severe or fatal accidents involving pedestrians. However, pedestrians are also distracted because of cell phones or other street stimuli. Pedestrians jaywalk, and they also walk on roadways while intoxicated. Pedestrians who dart and dash into the road or fail to yield put themselves at risk.

In 2017 in North Carolina, 8.9% of all pedestrians involved in a motor vehicle crash were killed. In 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents across the country. That accounted for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities and a 1.7-percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2016. Each year, more than 3,000 pedestrians are hit by vehicles in North Carolina, making North Carolina one of the least safe states in the U.S. for walking. On average, about 160 pedestrians are killed each year in our state.

The duty of assigning fault in a legal claim arising from a traffic accident may be simple depending on the evidence available. Maybe there are numerous witnesses, a camera that caught the entire incident, the accounts of both the driver and pedestrian, the applicable laws like speed limits, the findings in the police report, and sometimes even expert testimony. Jurors or an insurance adjuster takes all these different pieces into account to determine who was at fault in the accident.

Reasons a Pedestrian May Be At Fault

If the pedestrian is found at fault for the accident, most likely the walker will not be able to recover compensation for injuries. Conversely, the pedestrian may be sued to compensate the driver for any harm caused to their car or themselves.

Here are a few instances when a pedestrian may be found wholly or partially at fault:

Crossing against the traffic signal, meaning the hand says, “Stop,” but you go instead.
Crossing in the middle of the street.
Crossing outside of a crosswalk.
Crossing a street or entering a road while intoxicated.
Failing to look before crossing the street and running into the path of oncoming vehicles.
Walking anywhere where pedestrian access is prohibited, e.g., bridges, highways, causeways, etc.

Shared Fault in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Usually, even when a pedestrian bears partial blame for causing an accident, chances are the driver is also partially at fault. For example, a walker may have disobeyed the traffic signal, looked both ways and crossed the street, but a driver speeding through the intersection quickly made a right on red, hitting the pedestrian. Drivers are obligated to be free from distraction and traveling at a safe and posted speed. Likely there is shared responsibility in an accident of that kind.

Contributory Negligence for Vehicle-Pedestrian Accident Claims

North Carolina is one of the few states that has contributory negligence. This means if you are involved in an accident in North Carolina, and it is determined that you were partially at fault for the crash, even 1%, you cannot recover against the other party for any damages you received in the accident.

Most states follow a comparative negligence rule, which means a pedestrian’s compensation will have a percentage deducted to account for their contribution to the accident. In short, if the driver can prove some negligence on the part of the pedestrian, the pedestrian’s compensation will be reduced accordingly. For example, if a pedestrian is found to be 30% to blame for the accident, they will only receive 70% of the compensation they would have been entitled to if the accident had been entirely the driver’s fault.

In Conclusion

From a legal standpoint, both pedestrians and drivers have to exercise reasonable care on the roads and highways. The responsibility lies with all people using the roadways. A driver or pedestrian who fails to exercise such care will be considered negligent if his or her action causes an accident. Have you been involved in an accident? Whether you were the pedestrian or a driver, call us for a consult. 910-893-8183

Uninsured Motorist Policy: Why It Pays To Have One

Written by kwmlaw on February 13, 2019. Posted in Kelly & West News.

If you’re in a crash caused by an uninsured driver or you’re involved in a hit-and-run crash, it pays to have an uninsured motorist policy. Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, helps you pay for damages, including injuries you or your passengers suffer, caused by a driver who doesn’t have car insurance.

Americans are driving more and more. Meanwhile, the percentage of uninsured drivers is crawling upward. Did you know 1 in 8 or about 13 percent of drivers are uninsured? Crashes, injuries, and fatalities all saw at least a 4 percent increase in North Carolina from previous years.

The possibility of being hit by an uninsured motorist is a very real concern. While collision coverage will likely pay for damage to your car if an uninsured driver hits it, your claim check will likely be reduced by the amount of your collision deductible. Health insurance will also pay for medical treatment after a car wreck, but again, it depends on your policy. It’s unwise to wait for an accident or emergency to worry about who and how everything will be paid for.

Cost of a Car Accident
Wondering how much a car accident will cost? Of course, it depends on the damage, but here are some averages that may help:

A windshield replacement ranges from $200 to $900.
A damaged bumper ranges from repair to replacement and will cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500.
Typical dents and dings cost about $50 and $150, but accident damage will likely be thousands of dollars.
Labor costs range between $75 and $150 per hour, which means labor alone can significantly inflate the cost of auto body repair.
The average auto liability claim for property damage was $3,231.
The average auto liability claim for bodily injury was $15,443.
Americans spend more than 1 million days in the hospital each year from crash injuries.
On average, each crash-related emergency department visit costs an individual about $3,300.
ER visits that lead to hospitalization cost about $57,000 over a person’s lifetime.

Uninsured Motorist Policy Requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina requires drivers to have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) as well as uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). While this may seem like an inconvenience, it’s actually a proactive way to protect yourself, your passengers, and your property. These are relatively minor costs compared with the extensive repair or medical bills from the result of a crash. Anywhere from 20-50 million people are injured or disabled as a result of car accidents each year.

Opting into an uninsured motorist policy doesn’t drastically increase your overall bill and think about it: if an uninsured driver isn’t paying for insurance, do you think he or she will be able to cover damages after an accident? Probably not. NerdWallet analyzed car insurance rates in several states for 30-year-old motorists with clean driving records. They found that California had the highest rate increase after adding these coverage options, roughly $9 per month and Illinois had the cheapest, at around $3 extra per month.

If you think you’re a great driver and an accident will never happen to you, think again. There are a host of reasons why automobile accidents happen every day. Most accidents are caused by distracted, intoxicated, and hurried drivers. Just because you are a great driver does not mean you are able to avoid the 250,000+ accidents that happen in our state each year alone. You actually have a likelihood of being involved in four car accidents over the course of your life.

Main Causes of North Carolina Crashes

Consuming alcohol or drugs
Reckless driving
Improperly changing lanes
Lane departures
Overcorrecting
Crossing the centerline
Distracted driving
Tailgating
Improper turns
Failing to yield the right of way
Disregarding traffic signs

Most Recent North Carolina Traffic Crash Statistics

1,441 persons killed per year
130,137 persons injured per year
267,494 traffic crashes reported per year
Out-of-state drivers were involved in 6.6 percent of all reported crashes

Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in North Carolina for limits of $30,000. There is hardly a week that goes by that we do not have clients that do not have a desperate need for uninsured motorist coverage and/or underinsured motorist coverage. We recommend to all our clients that they purchase $1 million of combined uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. The cost of the premium is very reasonable for $1 million of coverage. That way you are protected whether the responsible driver has no insurance or simply does not have enough insurance. Either way, you and your family would then be protected up to $1 million for your injuries, death, or damages. Being involved in an automobile accident is stressful enough. Before the inevitable happens, make sure you’re properly covered.

Clearing Up Confusion About Auto Insurance

Written by kwmlaw on April 19, 2016. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Auto insurance is required in North Carolina, but are you aware of the minimum requirements? What your options are or how it works?

Choosing auto insurance — or even knowing what to choose! — is a difficult process, but at Kelly and West we want to make it easy for you. We’ve seen what happens to good people who think they have coverage, but find out after a car accident they don’t have everything they need. Here is what you should know:

Minimum Insurance
In North Carolina there are a few types of auto insurance required for everyone who owns a car:

● Minimum of $30,000 injury liability per person per accident

● Minimum of $60,000 injury liability total per accident

● Minimum of $25,000 property damage per accident

● Uninsured motorist coverage of $30,000

North Carolina does not require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage, but if you are paying off a loan or leasing your car, the finance company or bank WILL require collision and comprehensive coverage.

Photo credit: orangesky3 via VisualHunt / CC BY

How Insurance Works
While it is mandatory to buy liability coverage in North Carolina, extra coverage is also available. A lot of people skip the extra coverage to save money, even though for a few extra dollars the extra coverage could help pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, repairs to the vehicle, rental cars, and loss of income due to the accident.

Extra coverage could include:
● Comprehensive Coverage – No collision. Anything that could happen to your car that is not directly involved in a collision with another moving vehicle. Some examples are a broken windshield or vandalism.

● Uninsured or Underinsured Coverage – The other person involved in the accident does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the bills associated with the accident or the total value of your claim. North Carolina’s minimum requirement is often not enough to cover all expenses after an accident.

● Medical Payments Coverage – Medical payments coverage is not required, but should be considered. This coverage provides reimbursement to you for medical expenses following an accident no matter who is at fault. The only requirement is that you personally have or you are in a car of a person who has medical payments coverage. This coverage is normally reasonably priced and can prove beneficial because it provides money while recovering from an accident.

How Much to Buy
It is easy to choose the minimum coverage amounts required by law, but those amounts are not recommended. At Kelly and West we recommend:

● $1 million per person combined uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

● At least $50,000 per person injury liability

● $100,000 per accident liability

● $25,000 medical coverage (It is better to go higher if you can afford because medical bills tend to cost much more than this.)

● Add collision with a $500 deductible

● Comprehensive with a $0 deductible

We have found that once you buy some insurance, you can normally increase the amount or your coverage to those shown above for a very little increase in your premiums. These recommended amounts are higher than the minimum law in North Carolina, but we feel that the extra protection is definitely worth the cost. If you have questions about your insurance after an accident or would like to speak with an experienced attorney, contact Kelly and West today.

If you don’t take action to protect yourself and your family, then you are putting yourself and your family at great risk of being injured or killed by someone who has no insurance or by someone without adequate insurance to fully compensate you for your injury, your medical bills and your loss of income.

What You Say in a Recorded Statement Could Cost You Thousands

Written by kwmlaw on August 3, 2015. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Unfortunately automobile accidents are all too common in our world today. If you or a loved one has recently been in an accident, you will likely be asked to give a statement to an insurance claims adjuster regarding details of the accident. However did you know that what you say could end up costing you thousands of dollars? Before giving your statement, we recommend reviewing the below tips and speaking with an experienced attorney at Kelly & West for guidance.

car accident — Photo by Morgan. Courtesy Flickr Creative Commons.

Your recorded statement will help an insurance company learn the facts of your case which will play a significant role in whether they accept or deny the case. While your best bet for saying exactly what you intend comes from first speaking with an attorney. As a guideline, we at Kelly & West generally recommend avoiding all time, speed, and distance-related questions. For example, if an insurance representative asks a question such as, “How fast were you going?” or “How much time was there between the car hitting you and.” you should only answer if your eyes were on your speedometer or your watch at the exact moment. Chances are you only have estimates to offer the insurance claims adjuster. Therefore, for the most effective strategy in dealing with an insurance company turn to the attorneys with over 30 years of experience.

Call the attorneys at Kelly & West today to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We want to help equip you, protect you and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. If you have been in an auto accident, call us today. Don’t wait!

3 Things You Should Know to Handle Your Own Property Damage Claim

Written by kwmlaw on September 22, 2014. Posted in Kelly & West News.

If you are injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault, you have two different claims: a claim for your injury, called a bodily injury or personal injury claim, and a separate property damage claim. These claims can be settled separately, at different times, as long as the release you sign for property damages is a “Release for Property Damages Only” and not a “General Release” that releases all claims. If you are unsure, always get an attorney to review before you settle and before you sign anything.

If you are injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault and you need medical treatment, it is important to speak with an attorney who can advise you about your bodily injury claim. However, because you know more about your vehicle than anyone else and because property damage claims are fairly simple and straightforward, you should be able to handle the property damage claim on your own, without paying an attorney to help you.

Here are a few easy steps to guide you through handling your own property damage claim when the accident is not your fault:

1. Report the claim. Don’t wait for the responsible driver to do it because he or she may not do so. To report the claim, call the insurance company of the responsible driver and advise them that you need to report a claim. They will gather information from you and then assign an adjuster for your property damage claim, which is usually a separate adjuster from the adjuster for the bodily injury claim.

You should only talk to the property damage adjuster about your car and not about your injuries or how the accident occurred. The property damage adjuster normally inspects and photographs the damage to your car and will either “total loss” your car or estimate the damage to your car.

If your car is drivable, you should get an estimate of the costs of repairs from your own body shop. You are allowed to use your own body shop to repair your car. If the amount the insurance offers to pay to have your car repaired is less than what your body shop estimated, then have your body shop contact the adjuster and work it out with the adjuster on your behalf.

Once the body shop and the adjuster go over the damaged areas and agree what needs to be repaired, they almost always agree on the price. What you want is for your car to be repaired properly at no cost to you and for the insurance company to provide you with a rental car or pay you for “loss of use” of your car while it is being repaired.

2. The value of your car is the actual value, not what you owe on your car or what it costs to replace it. It is often up to you to prove the value of your car and you can do this by using tax values, Kelley Blue Book value, NADA value, or an appraisal if you have one.

If your car is a “total loss,” then you are entitled to the value of the car, plus sales tax and the cost of getting your tags transferred to your replacement car. You are also entitled to the loss of value of your car (called diminution of value) because you now have a car that has been wrecked and it is worth less than the same car that has not been wrecked. The insurance company is required by law to “total loss” your car in the event that the damage is 75 percent of the value or more.

3. Regardless of whether your car is a “total loss” you are entitled to a rental car or to “loss of use” of your car from the responsible driver’s insurance company. If you choose, the responsible driver’s insurance company can provide you with a rental car for a reasonable period (usually 7-14 days) while your car is being repaired. Alternatively, if you have another vehicle to drive while your car is being repaired, you are entitled to “loss of use” of your car, which is usually calculated as $20-$30 a day for a reasonable period (usually 7-14 days) while your car is being repaired or until they agree to pay for your total loss.

Tip: Keep in mind that in order not to be without a car for an extended period of time and to avoid extensive costs and delay involved in the litigation of a property damage claim, it is often better to accept a little less than you may legally be entitled to and settle the property damage claim promptly. This is especially true if you are seriously injured and may not be in a position to settle the injury claim for quite some time.

Car / Auto Accidents

Written by kwmlaw on April 23, 2014. Posted in Areas of Experience, Personal Injury Lawyer and Legal Services.

Get step-by-step instructions on what to do after an accident: download our FREE accident response guide.

If you have been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, or if you were a passenger in a vehicle and suffered injuries as result of the negligence of another driver, you may have a claim against that driver’s automobile insurance company for any losses. These losses include medical expenses, emotional and physical pain and suffering, any lost wages you incur due to the accident, and any permanent injuries you sustain.

In order to protect your claim for losses, if you feel you may have been injured, you should seek immediate medical attention either at the emergency room or with your family doctor as soon as possible following the injury. And, if you are unable to work following your injury, you should let your employer know why you are unable to work and obtain a doctor’s note for your absence. The other driver may be responsible for reimbursing you for these expenses when the case settles.

Attorneys Dealing With Insurance Agencies

Some insurance companies will try to convince you not to hire an attorney by promising to pay your medical expenses and lost wages. The insurance adjuster will assure you that he or she will negotiate a fair settlement for your claim. Usually you will have to jump through so many hoops to obtain these benefits that you ultimately decide you need an attorney anyway. We do not recommend that you deal with an experienced claims adjuster from the other party’s insurance company without the benefit of your own attorney. And certainly you should not give a recorded or written statement to anyone without speaking to an attorney first.

Choosing an attorney to handle your claim responsibly and effectively is the most important decision you will have to make following an accident. Retaining an attorney to file an accident claim does not mean that you are filing a lawsuit against the other driver. The vast majority of the insurance claims are settled before a lawsuit has to be filed.

Please contact us if you would like to talk with one of our experienced and caring auto accident attorneys in Raleigh.

More information
The breakdown: Explaining auto insurance. Or learn more about Medical Insurance Coverage.