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How to Handle an Asheville Car Accident

As an attorney who handles Asheville car accident claims every day, I want to help people stay informed and know their rights.  It's important to understand the legal landscape of an auto accident claim, but also how certain factors specific to Asheville and Western NC, in general, can affect your claim.   Follow your physician's medical advice If you've been in an accident and have been injured, it is imperative that you allow medical personnel such as Buncombe EMS to treat you at the accident scene, and transport you to the hospital if they deem it necessary.   If the doctor in the ER says to follow up with your primary care doctor in 5-7 days, I recommend you follow this.  If their office cannot see you in that timeframe for[...]

When Is a Bar Liable for Its Drunk Customers?

Drunk driving kills 30 people every single day in the United States.  Law enforcement, education, and punishment are all helpful ways to reduce drunk driving and save lives.  However, bars and restaurants also have a responsibility to help prevent drunk driving.  How?  It is against the law for a bar or restaurant to serve alcohol to someone that they know, or should know is drunk.  Bars and restaurants that follow the law help protect us all from drunk drivers on our roads. Every State in the country has a law that says if you sell alcohol, you cannot sell alcohol to someone that you know or should know is intoxicated.  The purpose of these laws is to protect everyone from drunk drivers.  How can a bartender tell if someone is in[...]

What to know about Whiplash and Car Accident Injuries

Car accident victims often jeopardize their personal injury claims by not seeking medical attention. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash frequently present no symptoms immediately after an accident. Days or even weeks could pass before the severity of your injuries becomes obvious. Knowing the symptoms of whiplash could help you determine whether you should visit a doctor after your Asheville car accident. What is whiplash? Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when the head and neck move rapidly backward and forward. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, typically in the form of rear-end collisions. The force of these collisions results in severe strain to the muscles and tendons in the neck and spine, causing pa[...]

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How do I handle an accident with a commercial truck or 18-Wheeler?

Have you been injured in a semi truck accident? Hundreds of thousands of truck accidents occur each year. Many of these result in death or injuries to the people involved. Motorists in passenger vehicles are especially vulnerable to catastrophic semi truck accident injuries when they are in accidents with commercial trucks. Truck accident medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses often leave families with no idea what to do or where to turn for help. Filing a claim for semi truck accident injuries is different from filing a typical personal injury claim. In most commercial truck accidents, there are several parties who may be liable for an injured person's damages: the truck driver, the operator, or the owner of the truck. Any or all [...]

What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

North Carolina state law requires all drivers to carry auto liability insurance. Despite this, thousands of people in our state drive without auto insurance coverage. You may not know what to do if you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver. Even if you’ve been hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, you still have some options for seeking an insurance settlement. An experienced personal injury attorney can help find sources of money to recover and advise you what to do next. Uninsured motorist coverage is a required part of all auto insurance policies in North Carolina. If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, your best bet for getting your medical bills and other expenses paid is to file an un[...]

What Is Contributory Negligence and How Does It Affect My Case?

Contributory Negligence in North Carolina Many car accident victims become confused when they learn about the concept of contributory negligence in North Carolina. They usually discover that their car accident claim is barred when the at-fault insurance company denies their claim on the basis of contributory negligence. In North Carolina, people who allege negligence cannot file suit if they were even partially responsible for their damages. Many common-sense beliefs about car accidents and liability do not apply in North Carolina because of the state’s contributory negligence doctrine. One common situation is when a victim is injured when they are rear-ended at a stoplight. The victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the cras[...]

What Are Punitive Damages and How Do They Affect My Car Accident Case?

Can I receive punitive damages for my car accident case? Punitive damages get a lot of media attention, especially when a jury awards a plaintiff a multimillion dollar verdict. The headlines that these verdicts create lead many auto accident victims to wonder if they could receive punitive damages for car accident cases. Ready to navigate the complexities of punitive damages in your car accident case? An experienced Asheville car accident lawyer is your key to understanding and pursuing the compensation you deserve. Don't face the legal intricacies alone—contact us today for personalized guidance and expert representation tailored to your unique situation. Your peace of mind is just a consultation away. Punitive Damages Definition T[...]

Why Lawyers Turn Down Personal Injury Cases

5 Reasons Lawyers Might Not Want Your Case Many injured people find themselves asking, "Why won't a lawyer take my case?" You may have spoken to several different attorneys, none of whom was willing to take your case. What's worse, they may have given you only a vague answer when you asked why they wouldn't represent you. There are many different factors that could make a “good” car accident case; however, most “bad” car accident cases have the same few factors in common. Here are a few circumstances that could lead to lawyers turning down your personal injury case. You waited too long to seek medical treatment A lot of people walk away from car accidents feeling mostly fine, experiencing discomfort or mild pain at worst. These[...]

Car Accident Insurance Coverage

What Insurance Coverage You'll Need After an Accident Many people don’t start asking questions about their car accident insurance coverage until they’ve been in an accident. This is when it’s most important that you have the coverage you need – but if you don’t have good coverage, then it’s too late to change it. Here are some coverage options you’ll probably need if you’ve been in an accident. Some types of coverage are required by North Carolina state law, while others are merely a very good idea. You may want to familiarize yourself with some common legal terminology, to get the most out of this article.  Liability Coverage Liability coverage, required in North Carolina, is the basic type of coverage that pays out for[...]

The First Steps to Take After a Car Accident

What to Do and Why After a Car Accident The stressful nature of automobile collisions makes it difficult for many people to think clearly about the next steps to take after a car accident. However, the unfortunate reality of these situations is that everything you do can complicate your car accident claim later. Here’s what to do in the first moments, hours, and days after a car accident.  Call the Police Immediately North Carolina law states that you must notify the police of car accidents that: cause injury cause more than $1,000 in property damage involve an impaired driver involve someone driving without a license or with a revoked license, or involve an uninsured driver If any one of these circumstances describes [...]