After a car crash, it is common to feel overwhelmed by injuries, vehicle damage, and pressure from insurance companies. Our car accident lawyers in Salisbury can help.
Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers has served North Carolina injury victims since 1995 and has recovered over $100 million for clients. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families after serious car accidents, including rear-end crashes, intersection collisions, drunk driving wrecks, uninsured motorist claims, and wrongful death.
To learn more, contact us to speak with one of our Salisbury personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Why Hire a Salisbury Car Accident Attorney From Our Firm
North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule makes car accident claims especially risky. If an insurance company argues that you were even 1% at fault, they may try to deny your claim altogether. Our Salisbury car crash lawyers help protect your case by investigating the crash early, preserving evidence, and limiting opportunities for insurers to shift blame.
Hiring a law firm with local experience is also important. Our team understands how crashes are investigated in Salisbury, how insurers handle claims in Rowan County, and how cases move through local courts when disputes arise.
When you choose Auger & Auger, you work directly with seasoned attorneys at a family-owned firm. We handle the process from the initial insurance claim through settlement discussions and, when appropriate, trial preparation.
Common Causes of Crashes in Salisbury
Many car accidents in Salisbury happen on heavily traveled roads like I-85, Jake Alexander Boulevard, and East Innes Street. Sudden slowdowns, busy intersections, and drivers trying to beat traffic lights can quickly lead to rear-end and side-impact crashes.
Driver behavior is also often a factor in these accidents, including speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield. Impaired driving also plays a role in serious crashes, especially at night or on weekends.
Commercial traffic adds another layer of risk in this area. Tractor-trailers, delivery vans, and company vehicles move through Rowan County every day, and mistakes by professional drivers can result in multi-vehicle collisions.
What to Do After Your Car Accident
Once you are home from the hospital or doctor after your accident, you may still be in pain, trying to schedule follow-up care, or getting calls from insurance companies asking questions you are not ready to answer. What you do at this time can impact the outcome of your case.
Following the steps below is important, as it can help protect and strengthen your injury claim:
- Follow your treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments. Gaps in care can give insurers arguments that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
- Keep copies of medical records and bills, including discharge papers, prescriptions, and therapy instructions. These documents help show how the crash affected you.
- Make sure a crash report exists and note the report number if one was completed by law enforcement. This report often becomes an important piece of evidence.
- Preserve any photos, videos, or information you already have, including vehicle damage, visible injuries, and messages from witnesses.
- Notify your insurance company, but keep your statements brief and factual. Avoid recorded statements or speculation until your case has been reviewed.
If you are unsure whether something you already said or did could affect your case, getting clarity sooner rather than later can help. One of our car accident attorneys in Salisbury can look at what has happened so far and explain what, if anything, needs attention next.
Proving Fault in North Carolina Personal Injury Cases
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If an insurance company can show that you were even 1% at fault, it may try to deny your claim. Because of this, proving fault is often the most important part of a personal injury case.
To establish fault, evidence must clearly show that the other party’s actions caused the accident and your injuries. This often includes:
- The other party violated a traffic law or safety rule, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield.
- The other party failed to act with reasonable care, including distracted driving or unsafe lane changes.
- The accident would not have happened without the other party’s actions, linking their conduct directly to the crash.
- Your injuries were a direct result of the collision, supported by medical documentation and treatment timing.
- You did not have a reasonable opportunity to avoid the crash, which can counter attempts to shift blame.
Our team can review the evidence, address attempts to shift blame, and help protect your claim under North Carolina law.
Damages You Can Seek After a Car Wreck
Your claim may include medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, loss of use, and pain and suffering. We document each category with records and, when needed, expert opinions.
Severe injuries can carry long recoveries and permanent limitations. We factor in surgeries, rehab, prescriptions, adaptive devices, and home or vehicle modifications to avoid undervaluing future needs.
For fatal crashes, a wrongful death action may allow you to pursue funeral costs, medical expenses, the decedent’s net income, services, companionship, and in some cases punitive damages.
Timelines for Filing a Personal Injury Case in North Carolina
In most accident cases, a lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of the injury. If the deadline passes, the court may dismiss the case regardless of the circumstances.
Wrongful death cases follow a shorter timeline. These claims generally must be filed within two years from the date of death. Claims involving government entities or special situations may have additional notice requirements and shorter deadlines.
Because deadlines can vary based on the facts of a case, reviewing timelines early can help protect your right to pursue compensation.
Speak With a Salisbury Car Accident Attorney Today
Auger & Auger has served North Carolina crash victims for decades, and our family-owned firm takes the time to review your situation carefully. Reach out to speak with a car wreck lawyer in Salisbury and get straightforward guidance through a free consultation.
