Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer

Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer

Helping clients injured in serious auto accidents throughout North Carolina

After a bad car crash, you likely have a lot of questions. Who is responsible for my medical expenses? How will I pay my bills while I’m recovering from my injuries? Who caused my accident, and how can I hold them accountable for their actions? An experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer can answer these questions and provide the legal services you need. At the law firm of Price, Petho & Associates, you will find a team of attorneys dedicated to protecting your rights and guiding you through the legal process.

What would you like to know?

How do I get a copy of my car accident report?

An important piece of documentation for any car accident is the police report. In North Carolina, you must go through the Department of Motor Vehicles to request this information. Price, Petho & Associates has direct access to crash reports. As such, when you work with us, you do not need to go to the DMV to get your report; we can access it for you. We can also help you understand what you’re reading when you look at the report.

How common are Charlotte car accidents?

Charlotte Car Accident Attorney

Driving is a risky activity, and statistically, an accident isn’t a matter of “if” but “when.” If you’re lucky, you will only be involved in crashes that result in minimal vehicle damage and no injuries.

Looking at recent data available from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), we see some alarming statistics. Overall, there were 273,732 total vehicle collisions reported across the state in 2022. Out of these incidents:

  • 1,784 people lost their lives
  • 110,544 382 people were injured

The leading causes of car accidents in North Carolina in 2022 were failure to reduce speed, failure to yield the right of way, inattention, and reckless driving. Drunk driving also played a significant role in accidents.

If we take a closer look at the Charlotte area, there were 37,177 total vehicle collisions in Mecklenburg County. Out of these incidents:

  • 139 people lost their lives, the highest number in 10 years
  • 17,260 people were injured

As you can see, motor vehicle accidents happen often and frequently involve catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident in the Charlotte area, contact the experienced accident attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates.

What kinds of car accident claims does your firm handle?

At Price, Petho & Associates, we handle all forms of accident claims, including:

Our attorneys are also experienced in car accident cases caused by auto defects, as well as those involving ATVs and other off-road vehicles.

Our Charlotte car accident lawyers understand that a personal injury claim is unique to your specific circumstances, and we ensure that you get the tailored strategy that your car accident case requires.

What types of injuries do Charlotte car accidents cause?

Serious car accidents and collisions can cause life-altering injuries, some that may require medical care and treatment for the rest of your life. These can include:

Some serious injuries do not present with symptoms right away. This is why you should always seek medical attention after an auto accident, even if you believe you are “fine.”

Here at Price, Petho & Associates our network of resources ensures you have access to top experts in their fields to show the true scope of your injuries – physically, financially, and emotionally. We work to help our clients find closure from their accident and heal from their injuries as much as medically possible, and face life with confidence.

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.

Recent Case Results

$9,000,000

Motor Vehicle Collison-Traumatic Brain Injury-Motor Vehicle Accidents

$9,000,000

Recovered for a young woman who sustained a catastrophic brain injury as the result of an automobile collision with a large commercial vehicle. The firm retained expert witnesses in the fields of physical medicine and rehabilitation, life care planning and economics. Our firm prepared an extensive video settlement brochure. Following a nine hour mediation with the participation of our expert medical witnesses, the defendants agreed to pay $9 million which was put into a trust for our clients lifetime medical care.

$5,200,000

Motor Vehicle Collison – Traumatic Brain Injury – Motor Vehicle Accidents

$5,200,000

Recovered on behalf of the young woman who sustained catastrophic injuries when she was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer truck while on the job. A workers' compensation claim was made as well as a liability claim against the at-fault trucking company. The settlement funds allow the plaintiff to live in a residential living facility for individuals with a traumatic brain.

$4,500,000

Negligent Highway Construction Spinal Cord Injury – Construction Accidents

$4,500,000

Recovered on behalf of a high school senior who was rendered a quadriplegic as a result of a rollover accident that occurred on I 40 in Iredell County, North Carolina. Our firm retained experts in the field of highway construction, accident reconstruction, life care planning and economics. The successful claim was made against the highway construction company based upon allegations that the construction work had created a lane shift with a significant drop off which caused our client's vehicle to roll over. Through extensive discovery, our firm learned of multiple other accidents that had occurred in the same location in previous months before the accident and that defendants were aware of the dangerous condition prior to the accident but took no steps to correct it. The case settled prior to trial.

Areas of Focus

What are North Carolina’s car accident laws?

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, and wish to file a personal injury claim, it’s important that you understand a little about North Carolina’s car accident laws.

  • Statute of limitations: In North Carolina, you have three years to file a claim if you sustain an injury or property damage caused by a car accident.
  • Wrongful death claims: If the car accident resulted in someone’s death, there is a two-year deadline to file a wrongful death claim.
  • Liability car insurance minimums: North Carolina drivers must be insured for $30,000 for bodily injury liability for an accident they cause and $60,000 for an accident they cause involving two or more injured people. North Carolina drivers must also be insured for $25,000 for property damage.

As you can see, it’s in your best interest to contact legal representation as soon after your accident as possible. This will ensure that your attorney has time to construct the best possible case strategy, as well as gather and document all necessary evidence and witness statements.

Price Petho & Associates in Charlotte, NC

Is North Carolina a no-fault state for car accidents?

North Carolina is a “fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance is supposed to cover the costs associated with a collision. The insurance adjuster assigned to the accident will determine fault.

How does NC’s contributory negligence rule impact my claim?

In North Carolina, we follow a pure contributory negligence rule, which prohibits you from collecting compensation if you are at fault in any way. This is why you want to speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash.

What is the average car accident settlement in North Carolina?

There’s no such thing as an “average” car accident settlement, and anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t being entirely honest. Every case is different because every person’s circumstance is different.

For example, say you hit your head in a crash and needed a CT scan. If you went to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and you didn’t have insurance, your cost would be about $971 just for that procedure. But if you also needed additional testing, or were admitted into the hospital, or if that “bump” on the head triggered a stroke – then, of course, all your expenses would be significantly higher. If you do have insurance, the price will change based on the plan you have, your deductibles, your in-network vs. out-of-network costs, whatever caps are in place, etc.

What damages can I recover after an auto accident?

Along with compensation for your medical bills and expenses, which can include deductibles, co-pays, medication costs, and so forth, you can recover damages for:

  • Lost wages or income, including benefits, retirement contributions, and other perks afforded by your job
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Costs for everyday services, like house cleaning or walking the dog
  • Costs for home renovations (if applicable) and property losses

Collecting pain and suffering after a car crash

In North Carolina, you can seek damages for your pain and suffering. This includes not only physical pain, but also emotional pain which can lead to a loss of enjoyment of life. Your spouse can also file a claim for loss of consortium as a way of seeking damages for their own emotional challenges from your injury. These damages are also available if your loved one eventually succumbed to his or her injuries, and suffered before he or she eventually died.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

About half a million people (or roughly 6.5% of all drivers) in North Carolina don’t have car insurance. This is better than the national average (13% of all drivers, or one out of every eight), but with approximately 43 million visitors each year, there is always a chance that you will be injured in a wreck with an uninsured driver.

If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you should report the accident to the police. After that, you have a couple options:

  1. You can make a claim through your own insurance policy. If you have uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage, you can use that to cover at least some of your losses. If you opted for MedPay, a supplemental insurance that pays for some medical bills regardless of fault, you can use that, too. You’ll need to report the crash to your insurance company, of course, but we can handle all communications to ensure your claim is taken seriously.
  2. You can sue the other driver. North Carolina allows you to sue a driver personally. His or her personal assets, therefore, would be used to pay for your bills and cover your damages.

In either scenario, you want a Charlotte car accident lawyer on your side. Proving that you were not at fault for the crash will be a critical component for your success.

How can a Charlotte car accident attorney help?

The team at Price, Petho & Associates is committed to putting forth every effort in pursuing fair compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and all other costs. We are unique in that we have a skilled investigator on staff to assist with this process. This allows our car accident attorneys to collect everything necessary to build a strong case on your behalf.

Details that can help the outcome of a car accident case include:

  • Demonstrating the scope of your injuries with medical records and examinations
  • Proving the at-fault party’s or driver’s liability
  • Securing evidence of the event, such as photographs, security footage, and anything else that could prove fault

Again, each accident is unique, and proving liability in a claim can be incredibly difficult. With the help of an experienced legal team, however, you can rest assured that our attorneys are doing everything possible to ensure that you recover the proper compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries.

When our firm takes a case, we look at the best ways to pursue compensation. In most cases, the obvious choice is by going after the negligent driver’s insurance company. However, our Charlotte car accident lawyers also know that other parties may be liable, and we investigate them as well. As an additional service, we can help handle the damage to your vehicle, assisting you in obtaining a rental car, and more.

Is there a car accident attorney near me?

Price, Petho & Associates has an office at 1430 Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte. We also maintain offices in Rockingham and Rutherfordton for your convenience. If you are too injured to come to us, we can visit you at home or in the hospital.

Talk to our Charlotte car accident lawyers today

Since 1979, the attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates have developed a strong record of success with helping car accident victims in Charlotte and throughout the state. With over $200 million in damages recovered for our clients, we want to help you, too. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, please call 704-228-2813 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Serving Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Related Articles:

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.

Recent Case Results

$9,000,000

Motor Vehicle Collison-Traumatic Brain Injury-Motor Vehicle Accidents

$9,000,000

Recovered for a young woman who sustained a catastrophic brain injury as the result of an automobile collision with a large commercial vehicle. The firm retained expert witnesses in the fields of physical medicine and rehabilitation, life care planning and economics. Our firm prepared an extensive video settlement brochure. Following a nine hour mediation with the participation of our expert medical witnesses, the defendants agreed to pay $9 million which was put into a trust for our clients lifetime medical care.

$5,200,000

Motor Vehicle Collison – Traumatic Brain Injury – Motor Vehicle Accidents

$5,200,000

Recovered on behalf of the young woman who sustained catastrophic injuries when she was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer truck while on the job. A workers' compensation claim was made as well as a liability claim against the at-fault trucking company. The settlement funds allow the plaintiff to live in a residential living facility for individuals with a traumatic brain.

$4,500,000

Negligent Highway Construction Spinal Cord Injury – Construction Accidents

$4,500,000

Recovered on behalf of a high school senior who was rendered a quadriplegic as a result of a rollover accident that occurred on I 40 in Iredell County, North Carolina. Our firm retained experts in the field of highway construction, accident reconstruction, life care planning and economics. The successful claim was made against the highway construction company based upon allegations that the construction work had created a lane shift with a significant drop off which caused our client's vehicle to roll over. Through extensive discovery, our firm learned of multiple other accidents that had occurred in the same location in previous months before the accident and that defendants were aware of the dangerous condition prior to the accident but took no steps to correct it. The case settled prior to trial.

Areas of Focus