Charlotte Fatal Car Accident Attorneys
Compassionate advocacy when your loved one loses his or her life in a car crash in NC
Tragedy frequently strikes on the roadways of North Carolina, particularly in or around the Charlotte area. Whether individuals are driving drunk, distracted, or in any type of reckless manner and another person is injured, they must be held accountable for their actions. In the worst possible case, an innocent person loses his or her life in one of these accidents. When that person is someone you love, you don’t need to go through it alone.
At Price, Petho & Associates, our car accident attorneys understand the massive toll a fatal car crash takes on a family. We have the resources necessary to fully investigate these incidents and handle all legal filings and negotiations on your behalf. Our experienced legal team works to secure the compensation to which you and your family are entitled when you lose a loved one in a preventable car accident. Talk to us today to find out how we can help you through this terrible time, as well as provide closure and justice.
What would you like to know?
- How common are fatal car accidents in Charlotte?
- What are the most common causes of fatal car accidents?
- Who can file a Charlotte wrongful death claim after a fatal accident?
- Am I entitled to compensation when a loved one is killed in an accident?
- How can a Charlotte fatal accident lawyer help?
- Is there a fatal accident attorney near me?
How common are fatal car accidents in Charlotte?
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports that, in 2020, we can see that there were more than 247,214 total car accidents across the state. Out of these accidents, 1,658 people lost their lives.
Here in Mecklenburg County, we saw 30,794 crashes with 15,247 injuries, and 125 fatalities. These are among some of the highest numbers in the state.
What are the most common causes of fatal car accidents?
The NCDOT crash report data also breaks down the causes of these car crashes and fatalities across the state. They include:
- Alcohol – 24.8% of fatalities. Driving drunk impairs a driver’s judgment, reflexes, and response time, as well as being against the law. Drunk driving puts everyone on the road at risk of severe or fatal accidents.
- Speeding – 25.1% of fatalities. Speed limits are there for a reason. They prevent motorists from going too fast for road conditions, as well as lowering the risk of accidents. High-speed accidents tend to cause fatal injuries due to high-impact collisions.
- Lane departure – 56.2% of fatalities. Failure to check blind spots, signal a lane change, or drift into oncoming traffic can cause sideswipe or head-on collisions, often with deadly outcomes.
- Distracted driving – 9.5% of fatalities. Driving while distracted (including texting and cell phone use) takes a driver’s attention off the road. Even a second of distraction can cause a tragic crash, whether with another vehicle, a pedestrian, cyclist, or stationary object.
Per Torre Jessup, NCDOT Commissioner:
In 2020, reportable traffic crashes decreased by 13.3 percent. The number of fatalities increased by 12.8 percent compared to those in 2019. Motorcyclist deaths decreased by 3.8 percent; while pedal-cyclist deaths increased by 55.6 percent from 2019. Increases were also noted in the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes, up 7.8 percent in 2020. Unfortunately, 25.1 percent of all traffic crash fatalities were related to speeding.
As you can see, driver negligence remains the top cause of fatal car accidents. The Charlotte attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates can help prove fault on the part of the other driver, and how it was that driver’s fault that caused the death of your loved one.
Who can file a Charlotte wrongful death claim after a fatal accident?
In the state of North Carolina, the law is very specific about who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident. The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must file the claim in court within two years from the date of death.
If the deceased had an estate plan in place, he or she may have named a personal representative within the plan. That person has the authority to file a wrongful death claim. If the deceased did not have an estate plan, or the person selected in the plan does not want to file a wrongful death claim, the court will appoint another individual. In most circumstances, this person is a surviving spouse, parent, or adult child of the deceased.
Am I entitled to compensation when a loved one is killed in an accident?
If your loved one lost his or her life due to another’s negligence, you are most likely eligible for financial compensation, including:
- Any medical bills the deceased incurred after the accident and before death
- Pain and suffering the deceased suffered after the accident before death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income of the deceased, including income that would have been earned, had he or she lived
- The loss of the deceased’s services, protection, assistance, and care
- The loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, society, and advice of the deceased
In cases where the at-fault driver’s actions were grossly negligent or intentional, our attorneys also seek punitive damages. These are intended to both punish the defendant for his or her actions, as well act as a deterrent from future reckless behavior.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.
How can a Charlotte fatal accident lawyer help?
The attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates work closely with you and your family to secure the financial compensation to which you are entitled after another’s negligence causes the death of your loved one. We show that the other driver owed your loved one a duty of care on the road and breached that duty of care by breaking traffic laws or otherwise driving recklessly.
In cases of drunk driving, we obtain police reports and documents showing the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and how intoxication caused the fatal accident, as well as any criminal charges filed against that driver. We also work with accident reconstruction experts to show how the crash happened, speak with eyewitnesses, and secure any video footage of the accident to further bolster your case.
Is there a fatal accident attorney near me?
Price, Petho & Associates has offices at 1420 Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte, NC. We also maintain offices in Rockingham and Rutherfordton for your convenience. If you are unable to come to us, we can make arrangements to visit you at home or in the hospital.
Experienced fatal car accident lawyers serving Charlotte
If someone you love lost his or her life in a motor vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, reach out to the team at Price, Petho & Associates for help as soon as possible. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling these complicated claims. We know what it takes to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers and help meet your family’s needs. We’re here to help your family when you need it most. For a free consultation about your case, call 704-372-2160 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients in Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.