Rutherfordton Car Accident Lawyers
The physical, mental, and financial toll of an accident can be challenging to handle without guidance. At Grimes Teich Anderson, we'll help you every step of the way.
Car accidents are something we all try to avoid, yet they happen every day. When injured in an accident, it's hard to know what to do first. Many accident victims are not equipped to deal with the challenges that follow a car accident, such as handling extensive paperwork and dealing with insurance companies. Unfortunately, insurance companies who want to pay them as little as possible often take advantage of victims.
Without legal assistance, getting the most compensation you need after an accident can be difficult. When you are involved in a car accident, you need a lawyer on your side who can assist you in obtaining the compensation you require to support your family and move forward. We understand how stressful the immediate aftermath of a car crash can be, and we want to assist you. Our compassionate car wreck attorneys at Grimes Teich Anderson have decades of combined experience resolving complex car accident cases and obtaining results for people who have been wrongfully injured.*
Protecting Your Rights Against the Insurance Companies
Many injured people think settling a claim after an accident is easy. Victims often assume they know what their claim is worth and that the insurance company will pay without putting up a fight. Unfortunately, that couldn't be any further from the truth.
Many insurance adjusters are personable and friendly at first. However, as tempting as it may be, do not provide an insurance company with a recorded statement or accept any insurance company settlement offers without consulting a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies owe their loyalty to their policyholders and stockholders. They are in the business to make money, not to help you.
Never Accept An Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer
After an accident, you can bet that an insurance company will reach out and offer a low-ball settlement. If you do not understand how to negotiate with an insurer, you may not know how to analyze a settlement offer. Insurance companies may imply that their settlement offers are a "now or never" agreement. They want victims to believe that if they reject the offer, they won't get compensation. This is not true. The insurance company's goal is to minimize how much money you receive and deals with these issues every day. You should not accept the first settlement offer without first consulting with a lawyer who clearly understands your situation and the value of your claim. Don't get tricked by hardball insurance company tactics.
Types of Car Accidents That We Handle
In some circumstances, victims of car accidents may require lifelong care. Any car accident that is caused by the carelessness or recklessness of another driver, a motor vehicle manufacturer, or another entity may make the victim eligible for financial compensation. At Grimes Teich Anderson, our car crash lawyers have over 40 years of experience assisting people in Carolinas to receive the money they need after an accident. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the highest possible recovery award to help them in the short and long term.
Our experience can be put to use in all types of car accident cases, including:
- Head-On Collisions
- T-Bone Collisions
- Rear-End Collisions
- Taxiing and Driving Accidents
- Auto vs. Pedestrian Accidents
- Automobile vs. Bicycle Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Driver Fatigue Accidents
- Hydroplaning Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Failure to Yield Accidents
- Tailgating Crashes
- Impaired Driving Crashes
- Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Car Accident FAQs
What Do I Do After A Car Accident?
Following an accident, there are some things you may do to preserve your rights to compensation—and some things you should avoid doing at all costs.
- Don't apologize: You should never apologize after a car crash, regardless of the circumstances. If you pursue additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, the other party's insurance company may try to use this apology against you as an admission of guilt.
- Collect the other party's information:Â Even though you'll be seeking compensation via your own insurance company initially, you'll need the other party's insurance information in case you need it in the future.
- Report the accident to law enforcement:Â A police report is an important piece of evidence for your car accident claim.
- Take photos of the vehicles and scene:Â If you need to establish fault later on, photographic proof of the collision might be quite helpful.
- Document your injuries:Â Take photos of any injuries hours, days, and weeks after the accident. You may also keep track of how your symptoms have changed over time and how they've affected your everyday life in a journal.
- Seek medical attention: You may not notice the full extent of your injuries for days or weeks after the accident because of the shock. If you have physical problems from the wreck, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so that your injuries may be documented and treated. Failure to seek care or delaying care that you need will be used against you, do don’t fall into that trap.
- Let an attorney do the talking:Â Your insurance company, unfortunately, is not always on your side. They may take advantage of policyholders who are unfamiliar with insurance and personal injury law. That is why you need the services of an attorney who will fight for your best interests.
What If I Am Partially To Blame For The Accident?
Every state has its own approach to determining liability and allocating damages after a car accident. For example, South Carolina follows the modified comparative negligence rules in assigning fault. It allows a plaintiff to recover damages in proportion to the percentage they were at fault. So, if they were 20% at fault in the accident, they can recover 80% in damages. North Carolina, however, uses a contributory negligence system. Meaning, if the driver suing for damages contributed in any way to the accident, then they cannot receive compensation from the other driver–even the other driver is 99% to blame for the crash. These rules are complicated and you should consult an attorney to discuss how the court applies them.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After An Accident?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina and South Carolina. There are special circumstances that can shorten that time, for example when the at fault party is associated with the government. It's ideal to begin your personal injury claim as soon as possible after an accident so that your lawyer may talk with the insurance company on your behalf and begin gathering evidence to defend your claim.
We Owe Our Loyalty to Rutherfordton Car Accident Victims
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision because another party acted negligently, recklessly, or carelessly, you have the right file a personal injury claim. You may be entitled to compensation that covers your medical bills, car rental, car repair costs, lost earnings, as well as pain and suffering.
Our lawyers will work closely with expert investigators and experienced case managers to thoroughly review the details of the accident and calculate the full extent of your losses, so you're compensated fairly. Let the team of attorneys at Grimes Teich Anderson represent you. Waiting for an insurance company to make you a financial offer or trying to negotiate with an adjuster without the help of a personal injury lawyer can be expensive and frustrating. One wrong decision could cost you a great deal of money. Our motor vehicle crash lawyers have successfully handled thousands of auto accident claims and lawsuits.*
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident, contact Grimes Teich Anderson today at 800-533-6845 or complete our free case evaluation form online. We have law offices located throughout North Carolina and South Carolina to best serve our clients.
117 Laurel Dr, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
We have multiple locations in the Carolinas to serve you
Grimes Teich Anderson offers free injury consultations and can get started on your case electronically.
ASHEVILLE OFFICE
535 College St,
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 251-0800
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
FRANKLIN OFFICE
244 Porter St Suite D,
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 564-2488
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
RUTHERFORDTON OFFICE
117 Laurel Dr,
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-1033
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
SPRUCE PINE OFFICE
12474 NC-226,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-7700
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
WAYNESVILLE OFFICE
385 N Haywood St,
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-7888
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
GREENVILLE OFFICE
111 E North St,
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 421-0770
Fax: (877) 518-0107
*Each case is different, so not all information on this website, as well as some which may not be provided, will apply to every case. Because the facts and relevant laws are different from case to case, Grimes Teich Anderson does not guarantee that the outcome, results, or experiences with one lawyer or one case will be similar to another.
Except for Employment Law Cases, Attorney's fees are a percentage of the entire recovery and will be deducted before other expenses. In addition to the fee in these cases, Client will be responsible for litigation expenses, which will either be deducted from the recovery or paid by the client. Some Employment Law Cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis and others handled on an hourly basis, where the client is billed for the hours spent on the case. Based on our experience, we will advise you of the most appropriate fee arrangement in Employment Law cases.
Material on this website is for information purposes and is not legal advice.