Car accidents are often frightening and frustrating experiences to endure, even if no serious injuries are sustained.
At times, the aftermath can be even more of a headache than the actual crash. Dealing with insurance companies is not easy. They’re looking out for their bottom dollar, which means you have to fight for every cent you get, even if you’re legally entitled to compensation.
Here’s what you need to know about how liability is determined in a car accident:
Contributory Negligence
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state, which means that you will not be able to recover any compensation for the accident at all if you are deemed even just 1% at fault for the collision.
This rule is often not very fair because car accidents are rarely cut and dry. Oftentimes, multiple drivers share fault for a collision, but the contributory negligence rule does not account for this.
If you’re involved in a collision in North Carolina, it’s in your best interest to hire a car accident attorney right away to help with your case. Don’t speak to the insurance company until you’ve met with an attorney. You don’t want to say anything that could damage your case and render you unable to recover compensation for your damages.
Liability Hinges on the Circumstances
The driver held liable for the crash will depend upon the particular circumstances of the crash. It is sometimes difficult to determine precisely what happened when a collision occurred, which is why the evidence you collect will be paramount in determining fault.
The more evidence you have to bolster your case, the more likely you will have a favorable outcome.
Do yourself a favor and leave the heavy lifting to the professionals. Proving liability in North Carolina can be challenging, so it’s not recommended that you handle a situation like this on your own. The last thing you want is to be barred from collecting any compensation at all.
Don’t delay—contact our office right away with any questions you may have.
Call the skilled attorneys at Wallace Pierce Law today at (919) 887-7892 to discuss the details of your case.