Thousands of motor vehicle accidents happen every day in the United States. Fortunately, most of them are simply inconveniences and do not result in injuries. Sometimes, however, an accident can be serious. Some accidents cause severe injuries, rendering the victim unable to work. Your injuries could be so severe that they cause a permanent disability. As a result, you and your family could suffer financial problems due to the accident. While law enforcement handles the immediate accident scene, they are not going to protect your rights. It is in your best interest to protect your rights with help from an experienced Mooresville personal injury attorney.
There are a number of injuries that you may suffer due to a car accident. Of the injuries, the most serious include back and neck injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma. Some injuries might require surgery and ongoing treatment and rehabilitative therapy. These medical costs can be astronomical. If you are a victim of a car crash you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our skilled legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC to discuss the details of your accident.
Semi-Truck Accident InjuriesCommercial trucks are a necessary part of our lives, and we share the road with them on a daily basis. When an accident occurs with a semi-truck the injuries to those in passenger vehicles are often devastating. Big rigs carry large, heavy loads and may not be able to stop quickly. The weight, size, and speed of these trucks are no match for smaller passenger cars.
There are several factors that contribute to truck accidents. These include driver error, mechanical failures, and weather or road conditions. When a truck driver is negligent, he or she is likely responsible for the crash and any injuries and damages. Sadly, serious injuries and fatalities are more likely when a truck crashes into a passenger car, motorcycle, or pedestrian.
NegligenceIn order to recover damages after a serious accident, you will need to prove that the other driver was negligent. Negligence means that the driver did something that he or she knew or should have known could cause harm. For example, speeding is negligent because drivers know that driving too fast can cause accidents and injuries.
Sometimes negligence is not easy to prove. The cause of the crash has to be determined and there could be several factors at play. An experienced personal injury attorney will assist with the process. Police reports, witness and driver statements, and video surveillance can all be utilized to help determine the cause of the crash and prove negligence. In some cases, an accident reconstruction team might be needed to find out exactly what happened immediately before and during the accident.
What to do After an AccidentIt is best to allow professionals to determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault. Do not make statements at the accident scene that could be used against you later. For instance, if you apologize for the accident, it may be used later to show that you believed you were responsible for the crash. It is also important not to discuss the matter with the insurance company. Again, they are not going to protect your rights. Instead, they may try to keep from paying you the compensation you deserve.
After an accident, the insurance company may provide you with a settlement check. This check may be less than what you should receive and may not even be enough to pay for your medical bills. If you cash the check, you could waive your right to take any legal action to get the money you deserve later. Therefore, do not accept or cash a settlement check without first speaking with your attorney.
You may be owed money for your damages, which include medical treatment, medication, therapy and more. Additionally, you could be entitled to money for pain and suffering and for lost wages. If you are permanently disabled you may also be owed money for long-term care and for loss of enjoyment of life, among other things.
Call Arnold & Smith, PLLCThe first thing on your mind when you are injured in a motor vehicle accident is getting medical treatment. Do not wait too long to talk to an attorney because the sooner your lawyer begins working on the case, the better. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we have helped many people in Mooresville get the money they deserve after a serious accident. We are here to fight for your rights and aggressively work to get you the money you need. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today for a free personal injury case consultation.