Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian can leave you with catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. In the most tragic cases, families may also face funeral and end-of-life expenses after losing a loved one. Even during this difficult time, insurance companies may look for ways to deny your claim.
For example, an insurer will try to apply North Carolina’s “contributory negligence” rule to deny a claim. If they can prove you are even 1% at fault for the pedestrian accident, North Carolina law may allow them to deny your claim entirely. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Monroe have decades of experience countering tactics like these.
At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we conduct independent investigations, move quickly to preserve evidence through subpoenas, and work with specialists to prove the driver’s negligence. Our clients do not pay upfront fees, and under our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you only pay us if our Monroe personal injury lawyers secure compensation for you. Call us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us to Protect Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
Insurance companies are skilled at shifting blame in pedestrian accident cases, often using any detail they can twist to reduce or deny your compensation under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule. Since 1995, our firm has successfully handled pedestrian accident cases throughout North Carolina, recovering over $100 million for our clients with a 99.5% success rate.
We use our years of experience to anticipate the arguments insurers raise and build strong cases that counter them. For example, imagine you were struck while walking through a parking lot. The driver may claim you were distracted by your phone or didn’t pay attention to the vehicles around you.
Right-of-way laws in parking lots vary under different circumstances, and insurers will try to use this to their advantage. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Monroe would counter these claims by demonstrating that the driver failed to take reasonable care. We would:
- Obtain security camera or surveillance footage to show that you were walking safely and that the driver failed to yield or pay attention.
- Use parking lot regulations and North Carolina’s public vehicular area laws to reinforce that the driver had a duty to operate their vehicle with caution in a pedestrian-heavy area.
- Investigate the driver’s actions, including whether they were speeding, distracted by their phone, or cutting through parking spaces in an unsafe manner.
As a family-run firm, we’re here to shoulder the burden of this legal process for you. We take care of every detail as if you were a family member because we know how devastating pedestrian accident injuries are.
Our Monroe Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Provide a Zero-Fee Guarantee
Our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™ means you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless our Monroe pedestrian accident attorneys win your case. This gives you peace of mind while pursuing compensation, knowing that you will not have to come up with anything out of pocket to start your case.
Insurers quickly begin building arguments aimed at minimizing or denying your claim, so hiring a lawyer as soon as possible gives you the chance to get ahead of them.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in North Carolina
Insurance companies may apply various legal arguments to shift blame onto an injured pedestrian. An insurance adjuster may argue that you didn’t use a designated walkway, stepped into traffic unexpectedly, or were otherwise at fault.
This is when our attorneys demonstrate the responsibilities of drivers. For example, under N.C.G.S. § 20-173, drivers have a duty to yield to pedestrians, even in areas without marked walkways.
We push back against false claims that you bear the fault for your injuries by gathering evidence to demonstrate how the driver could have prevented hitting you. For instance, if a driver ignores stop signs or fails to slow down near a store entrance, we will connect their actions to their legal obligations under the law.
How Insurers Use the Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits Against You
Insurance companies are well aware of North Carolina’s statute of limitations for civil liability and use intimidation tactics to pressure you into settling quickly. Under N.C.G.S. § 1-52, you generally have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit, or you forfeit your right to all legal recourse against a negligent driver.
An adjuster might call repeatedly, tell you that delays will hurt your case, and claim their initial offer is the best you’ll get. They will try to push you into accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover the full extent of your damages, which presents a serious financial risk when suffering from life-altering injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
The resulting medical conditions from injuries like these require long-term care and substantial financial resources. Accepting a low settlement can leave you unable to afford future medical expenses, rehabilitation, or time away from work.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Protect Your Case
Our Monroe personal injury attorneys show insurance companies that we approach every case with trial-readiness. We give them a choice: negotiate fairly or face us in court. If the insurer won’t offer the compensation you deserve, we will file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
Let Our Pedestrian Collision Attorneys in Monroe Handle Your Case So You Can Recover
You don’t have to deal with the insurance companies alone after a pedestrian collision. You have enough on your plate healing from your injuries.
Our attorneys are here to handle the claims process, fight back against bad-faith insurance tactics, and seek every penny owed to you under the law. Call Auger & Auger today to access your free initial consultation and get started with your claim.
