4 Car Accident Myths Carolina Drivers Need to Stop Believing

Recently, we’ve been hearing a lot of information about accidents in North and South Carolina that is simply not true. The internet tells you one thing, and your loved ones say another. At Auger & Auger, we are committed to providing true, clear, and accurate information that can help you make important decisions during a challenging time.

If you are involved in an accident in North or South Carolina, we strongly encourage you to contact our experienced team of injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation to learn about your options and legal rights.  

But in the meantime, we want to clarify and correct 4 car accident myths that you may have heard.

Myth #1: If you only sustained minor injuries in your car accident, you don’t need to see a doctor.

One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is refusing or delaying medical treatment. After an accident, certain injuries can take up to 24-72 hours to manifest. Or, some injuries can be “hidden,” such as concussions or internal bleeding. 

Whether you believe you need it or not, it is very important that you seek medical attention after an accident to protect your health and to protect your legal rights. If you never see a doctor after an accident but tell the insurance company that you are suffering from severe back pain down the road, the insurance company can deny coverage for lack of proof.

Myth #2: If you hire a lawyer to represent you, you will receive less money from your car accident settlement.

This is a big misconception we hear often. First and foremost, you should never pay out of pocket for a personal injury attorney in North or South Carolina. Second, data shows that when you hire a lawyer to represent you, on average, you receive 3.5x more money then if you were to handle the claim on your own. This means that even after your lawyer takes a fractional percentage from your settlement to cover legal fees, you still end up with a larger settlement amount.

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At Auger & Auger, we will not charge you anything, unless we win a financial settlement for you. This places all of the financial risk on us. Learn more here.

Myth #3: If you haven’t sued the at-fault driver by now, you’ve missed your chance.

False. While it is true that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim and pursue compensation for an injury after a car accident, that time limit is determined by each state.

• In North Carolina, you have 3 years to file a personal injury claim.
• In South Carolina, you have 3 years to file a personal injury claim.

However, we strongly advise you to not wait to file a claim. The best thing you can do after an accident in North or South Carolina is contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. An attorney can provide guidance on what to do next and inform you of your legal rights and options. 

Myth #4: If you are involved in a car accident, you have to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.

False. You do not have to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company, or your insurance company for that matter. Very rarely do insurance companies have your best interest in mind. At the end of the day, they want to get away with paying as little as possible.

In the 25+ years we have been handling car accident cases in North and South Carolina, we have seen many people give a pre-mature statement to the insurance company, only for the insurance company to use that statement against them. For example, if you tell your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company that you were not injured in the accident, but then several weeks later start developing nerve and back pain, you may lose your chance to receive compensation for medical bills. 

Here’s what you should do: Typically, you only need to report to your insurance company that an accident happened and provide them information on where and when. That’s it. Afterwards, call Auger & Auger immediately, and we will talk to the insurance companies on your behalf.

Injured in an accident in North or South Carolina?

Call Auger & Auger immediately at 855-969-5730

Car accidents can be devastating, stressful, and tremendous burdens for you and your family. But help, support, and guidance is one phone call away. 

The personal injury team at Auger & Auger has over 26 years of experience helping thousands of injury victims and their families recover from serious accidents in North and South Carolina. From the moment you contact us, we will give you straightforward, honest answers to all of your questions. We will inform you of your options and legal rights. We can help you find local medical specialists. We will even handle the insurance companies on your behalf.

We offer free consultations and you do not have to pay anything, unless we win your case.

Call 855-969-5730 now to schedule your complimentary meeting with our experienced North Carolina and South Carolina car accident attorneys.