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“Daniel Talbert is a top-notch attorney... he has a never-give-up approach even when things look bleak.”
- Roger T. -
“Ralph is the epitome of what a lawyer should be.”
- Melinda R. -
“David Teddy was more than worth the money... he actually took the time to listen.”
- Rosslyn S. -
“David Teddy and his team are outstanding!!! WORTH EVERY PENNY!”
- Nicholas D.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Cleveland County, NC, Car Accident?
While you are not required to hire a lawyer after a car accident in Cleveland County, NC, pursuing justice and accountability will be very difficult without one.
First, car accidents cause devastating injuries that make it difficult to focus on anything other than recovery. An attorney can devote their time, attention, resources, and considerable knowledge to your case while you heal.
Second, insurance companies often pressure accident victims to take a settlement while they are vulnerable and desperate for cash. An attorney who is dedicated to your interests can negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
Third, without an experienced guide, you might not know precisely how much compensation you need. A serious accident can leave you with lingering, even lifelong impairments. How can you quantify the impact of your injuries and the multiple ways the accident affects your life? A car accident attorney has the experience to tabulate all your compensable losses, both now and in the future.
When you hire Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., you can rest assured your case is in good hands. With years of experience fighting for accident victims in Cleveland County, we have earned the respect of our legal peers and the trust of our clients. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional burden of car accidents and will work tirelessly to seek full and fair compensation in your case.
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“Daniel Talbert is a top-notch attorney... he has a never-give-up approach even when things look bleak.” - Roger T.
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“Ralph is the epitome of what a lawyer should be.” - Melinda R.
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“David Teddy was more than worth the money... he actually took the time to listen.” - Rosslyn S.
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“David Teddy and his team are outstanding!!! WORTH EVERY PENNY!” - Nicholas D.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your car accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the quality of your legal representation. With an experienced, aggressive car accident attorney from our firm, you may be able to recover compensation for the following accident-related losses:
- Current and future medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, medication, surgery, and medical devices or supplies
- Lost wages if you miss work due to your injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from ever returning to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property losses, such as car repairs or replacement
Common Types of Car Accidents in Cleveland County, NC
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 2,735 traffic accidents occurred in Cleveland County in one recent year, causing 20 deaths and 1,124 injuries. That’s one crash every two and a half hours.
Some of the most common types of traffic collisions include:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Cleveland County, NC
In most car crashes in Cleveland County, negligent drivers or other parties are to blame. In those cases, injured people can seek compensation from the parties who caused the accident and their insurers.
According to NCDOT data, the top causes of car accidents in the state were the following:
- Distracted or inattentive driving – Inattention is one of the top contributing factors to accidents in North Carolina. Furthermore, distracted driving due to cell phones, navigation devices, passengers inside the vehicle, or objects outside the vehicle collectively contributed to 3,093 accidents statewide in one recent year.
- Drunk driving – In one recent year, 119 alcohol-related accidents occurred in Cleveland County, resulting in five deaths. Drunk drivers have diminished judgment, reaction time, and vision. No one should ever get behind the wheel of a car if they are intoxicated.
- Speeding – Over 18,000 accidents occurred in one recent year in North Carolina because drivers exceeded the speed limit or exceeded a safe speed for the conditions. Speeding, especially in inclement weather or hazardous road conditions, increases the risk of an accident because it makes it more difficult to stop in time to avoid a collision. In fact, 56,349 accidents occurred in North Carolina in one recent year because drivers failed to reduce speed.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way – To share the road safely, drivers must follow the right-of-way rules and yield to other motorists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles as required. Failing to do so led to 35,887 accidents in North Carolina in one recent year.
Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
In Cleveland County, an accident causing an injury occurs every 7.4 hours, according to NCDOT data. A few examples of common types of injuries from collisions include:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Back injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Statute of Limitations on Car Crashes in Cleveland County, NC
According to North Carolina’s statute of limitations on personal injuries, car accident victims have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the at-fault driver. While three years may seem long, we urge you to start immediately. Personal injury lawsuits take significant time to prepare, and essential evidence becomes more difficult to track down over time.
Even if you hope to avoid taking your case to trial, you can diminish your negotiating power by waiting too long. An insurance company that knows the deadline is fast approaching will have little incentive to agree to a generous settlement.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Cleveland County Today
If you were injured in a Cleveland County car accident, Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., is standing by to help. Contact us today to speak with a Cleveland County, NC, car crash injury lawyer about your legal options. Initial consultations are free, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we secure compensation for you first.