Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in North Carolina
1. How much time do I have to file a claim?
If you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, the statute of limitations is three years. If you fail to file your claim within three years from the date of the car accident, you could lose your right to seek compensation altogether. If the claim is for wrongful death, however, you only have two years before your claim is time barred.
2. When should I see a doctor?
It is best to see a doctor as soon after an auto accident as possible. Even if you don't think you have suffered an injury, a doctor can conduct certain tests that may reveal injuries you were unaware you had. In addition, many insurance companies will not pay for your injuries if you do not seek treatment right away.
3. How much will the insurance company pay for pain and suffering?
While there is not an exact formula, in general, the amount the insurance company pays correlates to the severity of the injuries and the amount of medical care you require. In general, the more serious the injuries are, and the more extensive the treatment is, the more you will be able to recover for your pain and suffering.
4. What if I cannot work because of my injuries? Will I be able to recover my lost wages?
Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not pay for any part of a claim until you are ready to settle your case for a lump sum, which typically happens after you have received all of your medical care and treatment. If you incurred lost wages due to your injury or medical treatment, you should be compensated for those wages as part of you lump sum settlement or verdict.
5. An adjuster contacted me about settling my case. Should I do it?
It is usually not a good idea to settle your claim with an insurance adjuster before you have finished your medical treatment. When you settle your case, you will be required to sign a release that cuts off future benefits forever. If you sign this release before you have finished with your medical treatment, you will not be able to recover any sort of compensation for future treatment, if your injuries get worse, or if your doctor discovers new injuries.
6. When should I contact my insurance company?
It is best to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company may prejudice future claims, such as underinsured and medical payments if you fail to report your claim.
7. How long will it take to settle my claim?
Depending on your specific case, it could take anywhere from several weeks to several years to settle. The duration of your medical treatment drives the timing of the case. However, it is important to fully treat and recover from your injuries. Do not rush through your treatment or avoid treatment altogether in a hurry to settle your claim. At Lanier Law Group, P.A., we can take steps to expedite the handling of your case so that when you are fully recovered we can move your case to settlement as quickly as possible.
8. How much do you charge for your services?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not collect an attorney fee unless we recover a settlement. If a settlement is recovered, we take a percentage as payment for our services.
If you have any additional questions regarding car accidents in North Carolina, please contact an attorney today!
We Fight for Our Clients
*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys
-
$5.95 Million Permanent Brain Failure
Our client had a brick fly off of a utility trailer and go through their windshield and hit her on the face.
-
$4.3 Million Head-On Collision
Personal injury litigation settlement for a client who was involved in a head-on collision with a commercial tractor-trailer.
-
$1.8 Million Litigation Settlement
Our client was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a meat truck.
-
$1.2 Million Pedestrian Accident
A settlement against a trucking company who struck pedestrian leading to amputation.
-
$993,135.67 Truck Accident
A trucking company's driver crashed an 18-wheeler into the side of our client’s car as she attempted to make a left turn.
-
$736,717.55 T-Bone Collision
We Never Back Down From a Fight
Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results
-
There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it's interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don't have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.- Diane W.
-
I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!- Phillip J.
-
Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.- Mario H.
-
The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.- Timothy M.
-
The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.- Malinda P.
-
Great experience. Tish was very helpful as my case progressed and explained all of the steps to me, leaving me with very few questions. Shea was also very helpful during the negotiation process.- Nyesha B.
Don't Hire Just Any Firm
Take Control of Your Case Today With the Help of Lanier Law Group
-
Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.
-
Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.
-
Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.
-
After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.