Dealing with a car insurance claim after an accident can quickly become stressful. Insurers may offer low settlements, delay payments, or deny claims, leaving you stuck with medical bills and lost wages.
North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule makes things harder. If the insurer proves you were even 1% at fault, they can deny your compensation. A Charlotte car insurance claim lawyer from Auger & Auger can protect your claim and fight back.
Our attorneys average 19 years in personal injury law each, so we know the ins and outs of insurance claims. A Charlotte car accident lawyer from our team will stand up to insurers and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
The Car Insurance Claim Process In Charlotte
Understanding how the personal injury claims process works can help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your case. After a car accident, here’s what typically happens:
- Filing the claim: You report the accident to your insurance company and, if applicable, the at-fault driver’s insurer.
- Investigation: Insurance adjusters review accident reports, medical records, and witness statements to determine liability.
- Settlement offers: Insurers may present a low initial offer, hoping you’ll accept it before realizing the full extent of your damages.
- Negotiation: If the offer doesn’t cover your expenses, your lawyer can push for a fair settlement that includes all of your financial losses.
- Legal action (if necessary): If the insurer refuses to pay what you deserve, we can take your case to court.
Having an experienced Charlotte personal injury lawyer on your side makes sure that your rights are protected throughout this process.
How Compensation Works After A Car Accident
Many accident victims don’t realize how much compensation they’re entitled to after a crash. A fair settlement should cover more than just immediate medical expenses—it should reflect the full impact of your injuries and losses.
Your insurance provider may try to minimize what they pay, but you could be eligible for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term medical needs.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to missed work, plus future earnings if your injuries limit your ability to work.
- Property damage: Costs for vehicle repairs or replacement.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation in cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, such as drunk driving.
Insurance companies often offer settlements that only cover short-term costs. Our attorneys carefully evaluate your total losses, making sure you pursue the maximum compensation available.
Challenges You Might Face When Filing A Car Insurance Claim
North Carolina law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but insurance claims are not always straightforward. Many accident victims face challenges that make recovering compensation difficult.
Common issues include:
- Disputed liability: The insurer may argue you were partially responsible for reducing or denying your claim.
- Low settlement offers: Adjusters often make quick, low offers before you understand the full cost of your injuries.
- Delays in payment: Some insurers stall the process, hoping you’ll accept less out of frustration.
- Uninsured or underinsured drivers: If the at-fault party lacks enough coverage, you may need to file a UM/UIM claim with your own provider.
Our Charlotte car insurance claim attorneys resist these tactics, gather strong evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What If The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options. Your own policy may include uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Even when dealing with your own insurance provider, securing a fair payout can be difficult. Insurers often try to minimize what they pay, even though you’ve contributed to this coverage. Without the right support, you could end up with less than you need.
Our legal team helps clients file UM/UIM claims and negotiate aggressively for the maximum compensation available. You shouldn’t have to settle for less than you deserve.
North Carolina’s Statute Of Limitations For Car Insurance Claims
In North Carolina, you have a limited amount of time to file a claim or lawsuit after a car accident. The state’s statute of limitations sets strict deadlines that can impact your ability to recover compensation.
For most personal injury claims, including those related to car accidents, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you’re pursuing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one, the deadline is two years from the date of death.
Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to seek compensation. Insurance companies know this and may try to delay your claim, hoping you’ll run out of time.
Why You Should Hire Auger & Auger For Your Car Insurance Claim
Working through a car insurance claim in North Carolina requires legal knowledge and experience. At Auger & Auger, we’ve spent decades between us helping accident victims recover the compensation they need.
Here’s why clients trust us:
- We focus exclusively on personal injury law. These claims are all we do, so we know how to fight back against insurers.
- Our attorneys have an average of 19 years of experience. We’ve successfully helped thousands of injury victims secure fair compensation.
- We offer a zero–fee guarantee. You don’t pay unless we win your case.
- We are a family–owned firm. Founders Herb and Arlene Auger remain personally involved in every case, ensuring that each client receives the attention they deserve.
Talk To A Charlotte Car Insurance Claim Lawyer Today
Dealing with an insurance claim after a car accident can be frustrating and stressful. Insurance companies may try to pay you less than you deserve, delay your claim, or deny it altogether. You shouldn’t have to deal with these challenges while recovering from your injuries.
At Auger & Auger, we know how insurers operate and what it takes to secure the compensation you deserve. We push back against unfair tactics and work to get you the financial recovery you need.
A Charlotte car insurance claim lawyer from our team can take care of the legal details and protect your rights. Call us today for a free consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help.
