Car Accident Lawyer in North Carolina
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win Your Case
It happened. You were driving when suddenly, a car slammed into your vehicle. Car accidents happen in a flash and can change the life of an individual or family in an instant. In the aftermath of the accident, not only will you deal with mental anguish of recovery and the destruction of your property, but you will also ultimately be forced to deal with financial fallout that may last for years to come.
We at Henson Fuerst understand the devastation that car accidents can bring and have fought for accident victims just like you for over four decades. Our lawyers know the laws and will fight to obtain a settlement that covers not only medical bills but also offers continuous assistance for you and your family following an accident.
We at Henson Fuerst understand the devastation that car accidents can bring and have fought for accident victims just like you for over four decades. Our lawyers know the laws and will fight to obtain a settlement that covers not only medical bills but also offers continuous assistance for you and your family following an accident.
Our car accident lawyers can help you
Our office has helped thousands of clients across North Carolina financially recover after being involved in motor vehicle accidents. Whether you need help from a car accident attorney, truck accident attorney, motorcycle accident lawyer, or bicycle accident attorney, contact us today and talk for free.
Case
Results
Results
$9.5 Million
Truck Accident
$7.5 Million
Truck Accident
$3 Million
Car Accident
GET COMPENSATED FOR YOUR INJURIES
You Can’t Count on The Insurance Company to Do What’s Right
After a car accident, it’s reasonable to assume that the insurance company is on your side. However, you must exercise caution not just with your own insurance company, but also with the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies have a team of adjusters, accountants, and specialists on staff who are all trained to offer you lowball settlements to protect the company’s interests. When insurance companies realize you won’t take their first offer, they may begin to ignore you or purposefully delay your claim in the hopes that you will give up or miss the deadline to bring suit. We recognize that your present financial situation may entice you to take an insurance settlement offer that is insufficient to cover the price of damages. However, you don’t have to put up with an insurance company that tries to deceive you, downplay your damages, or underpay your claim. At Henson Fuerst, we know the tactics insurance companies use, and we will not let them take advantage of you.
"My husband was in an auto accident with life threatening injuries. I called Henson Fuerst Attorneys for assistance in my husband's case. Our attorneys handled all our legal needs while my husband went through extensive medical recovery and helped take stress off of us so we could focus on my husband's care. They were very attentive to our case and us personally. My husband and I are very happy with their professional services and care. I highly recommend Henson Fuerst to anyone who requires assistance with an injury case. Thank you so much for all your efforts in our case."
Cheryl S.
Car Accident
Determining Fault in A Car Accident Case
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies, driver error is the primary cause of automobile accidents in the United States. Accidents caused by someone else’s recklessness or negligence such as poor judgment, driving distracted or under the influence, and fatigue, fall into the category of driver error. In these cases, a specific person may be held liable for their actions.
Other factors such as road or car defects can also lead to serious accidents. Common roadway defects that may indicate a road was not properly constructed or maintained include:
- Potholes
- Soft shoulders, meaning that you shoulder on the side of the road is made of gravel or packed dirt rather than asphalt
- Defective guardrails
- Improper drainage that can cause the road to be slick and cause hydroplaning
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has strict guidelines to ensure that all roads, streets, and highways are designed and maintained with driver safety as the top priority. If architects, engineers, construction companies, paving companies, or contractors fail to adhere to those rules, they may be held liable for your accident.
Common car defects that indicate a vehicle was manufactured using defective parts or did not undergo the proper safety testing include:
- Roof crush
- Seatbelt failure
- Airbag failure
- Fuel-fed fires
- Defective tires
In these cases, several parties could be held liable for the accident. These parties include the manufacturer or designer of the auto part and the manufacturer or seller of the vehicle.
The outcome of an automobile accident claim in North Carolina is contingent on proving that the other motorist was at fault. A qualified lawyer can assist you in obtaining all of the evidence necessary to establish liability so you can recover the damages you are owed.
We’re the Attorneys Who Care About Protecting Your Rights
When you choose Henson Fuerst to represent you, you can expect to be treated like family and provided with honest and compassionate legal representation. If you have questions about an accident you were involved in, contact our North Carolina car accident attorneys for a free consultation.
Our firm only gets paid when you do. So, if there is no recovery for your case, then there is no attorney’s fee. It’s that simple. We work hard to defend your rights and help you recover the compensation you need to move forward.
Our firm only gets paid when you do. So, if there is no recovery for your case, then there is no attorney’s fee. It’s that simple. We work hard to defend your rights and help you recover the compensation you need to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
In North Carolina, most punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $250,000 whichever is greater.
The time it takes to resolve a case depends on many factors; the most important are what happened in the wreck and what were the resulting injuries.
- Cases involving soft tissue injuries that get better with treatment from an orthopedic or chiropractic doctor and physical therapy can typically be negotiated and settled without filing a lawsuit and generally last six to nine months.
- Cases involving more substantial injuries, such as broken bones or surgical procedures, typically last nine to 15 months.
- Cases that involve more substantial and permanent, life-long injuries can last one to three years, depending on the circumstances. If we file a lawsuit instead of settling out of court, it may take an additional 16 to 24 months or longer before the case is resolved
Generally, before we file a lawsuit on your behalf, our North Carolina auto accident attorneys will attempt to negotiate with the insurance company to reach a settlement. In the majority of cases we handle, we do not begin negotiating your case until you have healed. This way, we are aware of all of the damages and losses related to your injuries and how those damages will affect your quality of life.
Our North Carolina auto accident lawyers recommend that you seek the help of a lawyer if:
- Your claim involves large injuries,
- You had (or continue to have) substantial medical treatment (treatment that extends beyond more than a few visits to a doctor),
- And/or you have suffered permanent injury that resulted in scarring, the need for surgery, or a permanent disability.
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 273,732 | 1,784 | 110,544 |
| 2021 | 276,026 | 1,783 | 114,722 |
| 2020 | 247,214 | 1,658 | 105,382 |
| 2019 | 285,074 | 1,470 | 125,232 |
| 2018 | 281,685 | 1,442 | 125,454 |
What should I do after a car accident?
Emotions are high after a car collision, and there is a lot of confusion on the scene. There are, however, several precautions you may take to safeguard yourself and any claim you decide to pursue in the future.
1
Step 1
Don't Leave the Scene
You should only leave the accident area after exchanging information with others involved in the crash and receiving permission from any law enforcement officers there. You risk being charged with hit-and-run if you leave before then.
2
Step 2
Check for Injuries
You should only leave the accident area after exchanging information with others involved in the crash and receiving permission from any law enforcement officers there. You risk being charged with hit-and-run if you leave before then.
3
Step 3
Call the Police
If there are any injuries, dial 911 immediately. Having a law enforcement officer there, regardless of any injuries, may be beneficial if discovered that the other driver is driving while intoxicated or without insurance.
4
Step 4
Move Vehicles
If the crash is minimal and there are no significant injuries, try to relocate all vehicles to the road’s shoulder and away from the traffic flow. This will help avoid a larger traffic delay and make it easier for first responders to get to the accident.
5
Step 5
Obtain Insurance and Personal Information
Identify any other drivers who may have been involved in the collision and gather their names, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance company and policy number. If there are any witnesses, you should also collect their information.
6
Step 6
Document and Gather Evidence
When you have a chance, write down everything that happened before and after the accident as accurately as you can. Take photos of any damage to the car, skid marks, or weather conditions in the vicinity. Look around to check whether any cameras, such as traffic or security cameras, are nearby. Make a mental note of where they are in case you need a copy of the footage.
7
Step 7
Watch What You Say
If you’re unsure if you’re to blame for the accident, don’t admit fault. Also, don’t lie, especially if you’re making a police statement.
8
Step 8
Notify Your Insurance Company
Regardless of who is at fault for the car accident, it is critical to contact your car insurance company as quickly as possible. Failure to notify your insurance company in a timely manner could risk your coverage.
We have represented thousands of personal injury victims for over 45 years.
$7.5M Settlement
A child involved in a truck accident suffered numerous brain bleeds as well as severe and permanent cognitive, physical, and emotional deficits as a result of his Traumatic Brain Injury. The case was filed in court and settled after multiple depositions of the parties and medical experts. The settlement was collected in full.
Important Tips And Information After A Car Accident
What Not To do after a car accident
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Do not give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney
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Do not post on social media about your injury or claim
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Do not forego medical care
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Do not use online "Pain and Suffering" calculators
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Do not believe hearsay or misinformation
Why You Can't Sue The Insurance Company
It’s a common misconception in North Carolina that you can sue the insurance company. In a traditional automobile wreck case, your legal claim is technically against the at-fault driver—not his or her insurance company. The driver’s insurance company is obligated to hire an attorney to represent the driver if any claim is made against him or her up to the amount of insurance coverage purchased.
What is covered under Property Damage?
In North Carolina, all drivers must carry insurance with property damage liability limits of at least $25,000. A property damage claim covers the cost of any personal property that is damaged in a car wreck, such as:
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Fixing or replacing your car
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Damage to personal items inside the vehicle
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and damage caused by the wreck itself
What is covered under Bodily Injury?
A bodily injury claim covers personal injuries for the occupants of the car (humans only). Under North Carolina law, bodily injury claims can include payment for:
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Lost wages and Medical Bills
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Out-of-pocket losses
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Pain and suffering or human losses,
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Permanent Injuries or scarring
Car and Truck Accident News
Our North Carolina car accident lawyers strive to keep our community educated and informed about the latest trends and events regarding driving safety and accident prevention. Browse our most recent blog posts here:
Get a Car Accident Lawyer who cares about protecting your rights
What you can expect when choosing a Henson Fuerst car accident lawyer to represent your case
The car accident attorneys at Henson Fuerst understand how difficult it may be to get compensation after a car wreck, especially given North Carolina’s contributory fault rules. This implies that in order to get compensation, the sufferer must be completely blameless in the accident. You may be able to recover medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering if it can be shown that you were entirely free of fault. Because contributory negligence makes blaming another driver for an accident more difficult, you may need the assistance of a North Carolina car accident lawyer.
Standing up for victims and their families across North Carolina since 1976
For over 45 years, we’ve been helping accident victims throughout North Carolina fight for the full and fair compensation they need. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, our attorneys will advocate for you throughout the settlement process. Insurance claims adjusters are tasked with safeguarding the interests of their employers, which may or may not coincide with your needs. We will work hard to protect your best interests and help you recover fair compensation for your accident claim. Contact us today by calling (919) 781-1107 or submitting a free consultation form online.