Speaks Law Firm helps individuals seek recovery for their injuries, their medical bills, and interruptions in their daily lives following involvement in pedestrian accidents in North Carolina.
Why Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in North Carolina?
The roads can be dangerous places for pedestrians. According to the CDC, there was an average of approximately one death every 75 minutes in the United States in 2020. The first thing to do in the immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident is to seek medical attention. The second thing to do is contact a pedestrian accident lawyer.
While recovering financially might be the last thing on your mind during this traumatic time, there are several things you can do to protect your ability to seek compensation for your injuries or those of a loved one:
- Write down as many details about the accident as you can remember, including location, date, time, weather conditions, license plate numbers, and other identifiers of the car
- Find out if any witnesses saw the accident and can share their account
- Preserve any available evidence with photos, video, and documentation
A pedestrian injury attorney will use this evidence to piece together the scene and make a case. From there, your legal team will negotiate with the driver’s insurance company on your behalf in pursuit of compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other relevant costs.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Pedestrian Accident?
Every personal injury claim is different, but some or all of the following compensation may be recovered:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death compensation
The Speaks Law Firm proudly serves people throughout eastern North Carolina, including Wilmington, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Bolivia, Burgaw, Whiteville, Lumberton, Leland, Shallote, New Hanover County, Pender County, Brunswick County, Columbus County, and Robeson County.
We Make it Easy
Suffering an injury is incredibly difficult but getting the help you need shouldn’t be. All you have to do is call our office and we’ll start reviewing your claim right away.
You Deserve Compensation
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you need a fighter in your corner. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.
No Hidden Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis. This means you never have to worry about hidden fees or upfront costs. In fact, we don’t get paid at all unless we win for you!
(910) 341-7570
Why Choose Speaks Law Firm?
Accidents can happen at any time. You can be as careful as you can be, but you can never predict the action of others out on the road. When this happens, you need someone to speak on your behalf to fight for your rights. Speaks Law Firm is here for you.
- Our People: Our team is our main differentiator. We hired each one for their solid background and experience in the field. This all-star cast of talented, dedicated, and accomplished legal professionals cares about your case. With over 20 years of experience, we will do our best to fight for your rights.
- Our Process: We have built collaboration into our process. Our legal professionals were selected to work at the firm due to their experience. They work together to build your case and help you reach your goals.
- Our Commitment: You need someone committed to fighting for your rights after an accident that places you in a vulnerable position. At Speaks Law Firm, our team works hard to provide our clients in Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding areas with sound legal service. We speak for you.
- Free Consultation: Our lines of communication are open. You can set up a free consultation if you need to discuss your personal injury case and find the right legal option for your situation.
Common Causes of Wilmington, NC, Pedestrian Accidents
Sadly, the root cause of many accidents is negligent or reckless behavior, where a driver fails to be a good steward or act reasonably to ensure public safety. The majority of common situations that cause pedestrian accidents include:
- Texting while driving
- Failing to adhere to traffic signs
- Running red lights
- Driving through crosswalks, intersections, or driveways without checking for pedestrians
- Driving under the influence
What if I Was Partially at Fault for an Accident in North Carolina?
North Carolina is one of a handful of states with a contributory negligence rule. This standard means that if you are partially at fault for the accident, it bars any financial recovery. This rule is widely considered unfair because it prevents victims who were only partially at fault from being eligible for monetary compensation.
In an effort to avoid paying pedestrian accident victims, insurance companies are quick to look for any opportunity to assign even the slightest sliver of fault. For this reason, it is imperative to have a pedestrian accident attorney on your side to negotiate with an insurance adjuster or persuade a judge or jury of the merits of your case.
Before giving an insurance company a chance to deny your claim, contact Speaks Law Firm for a free case review.
Time is of the Essence after a NC Pedestrian Accident
Every state, including North Carolina, has a statute of limitations that specifies how long a victim has to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. In North Carolina, a personal injury claim must be filed within three years, and a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years.
However, a claim with the driver’s insurance company should be filed promptly following the accident. Most claims are usually reported and filed within a few days of the accident. An experienced North Carolina pedestrian accident attorney can effectively file your case with the driver’s insurance company shortly following an accident.
Delays in contacting the insurance company can hurt your case, but be aware that these companies are also motivated to minimize your claim. You should seek the guidance of an experienced North Carolina pedestrian injury lawyer when interacting with the insurance company. Your attorney may then manage such communications on your behalf to avoid missteps that could compromise your case.
Seeking Legal Help for a Pedestrian Accident in North Carolina
Beating the statute of limitations isn’t the only time-related issue in a pedestrian accident case. Delaying filing a claim can cause lost opportunities to collect evidence and secure witness testimony.
Some pedestrian accident claims are relatively straightforward, but more often than not, unexpected complexities arise that make these personal injury claims difficult to resolve without an attorney.
Our actions speak louder than words, so contact Speaks Law Firm today for a free case review with our legal team in Wilmington, NC so we can assess the details surrounding your accident and help you determine your next steps.
For more information about how we can help you avoid costly mistakes after an Auto Accident Injury in North Carolina contact us by filling out the “How can we help you?” form at the top of this page.
I was hurt in a car accident in Wilmington, North Carolina. My medical bills are outrageously high. The driver who caused the accident has the minimum insurance limits ($30,000.00) that are required by law. The adjuster has offered to pay the policy limits ($30,000.00). Should I get an attorney? What should I do?
State law requires each vehicle owner to carry at least $30,000.00 of liability insurance coverage. You can purchase more. Many people carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage per person and $300,000 per occurrence.
The liability insurance policy for the vehicle of the responsible driver is required to pay for the medical and other expenses of those who were not at fault. The policy will pay up to the limits of the policy. In other words, where there is $30,000.00 (or $60,000.00) of liability coverage, the insurance company could be required to pay that entire amount, but no more.
Where the damages are greater than the limits of the insurance policy, the injured person must look for other sources of recovery. These are some of the questions your lawyer will ask in order to comprehensively address this complex issue:
- Does the responsible driver have a different liability policy that you could access?
- Was the responsible driver working for his employer at the time of the accident?
- Does the responsible driver have an umbrella insurance policy?
- Does the injured person have underinsured motorist coverage?
- Does the responsible driver have assets that could be seized and sold in order to pay some or all of the judgment beyond the limits of the insurance policy?*
* This particular analysis can be complicated. Before you reject the insurance companies offer to settle the case for the policy limits and proceed with a lawsuit, you must think clearly and carefully. If you were seriously injured by the negligence of another person, you are probably angry. Who could blame you? I would be. Of course, you want the person responsible for the accident to pay for the damage they caused. In fact, the law requires it.
However, ifthe negilgent driver does not have the assets to pay for damages beyond the limits of the insurance policy, you will be wasting valuable time and money. You may want to perform an asset search in order to determine whether this is a viable option. The process of securing and enforcing a judgment can be expensive. If the responsible person does not have sufficient assets, then you will have wasted time and money for no reason.
Where damages exceed insurance coverage you need an experienced personal injury lawyer more than ever. A good lawyer may be able to find additional sources or recovery. He or she may be able to perform an informal asset search. From that he will be able to determine whether you should you accept the policy limits or fight for more.
Even if there is not enough money to pay all of the medical expenses from the available insurance policy, an experienced personal injury attorney can help. He may be able to negotiate down the amount of the outstanding medical bills. He may be able to use financial leverage and statutory laws to get your bills paid and still put a substantial amount of money in your pocket. Call or contact us now to find out how we can help you maximize your recovery in your auto accident and injury case.