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Charlotte Car Accident Insurance Claims - FAQs
Car accidents tend to leave everyone involved shaken up and potentially injured. It only takes seconds for a devastating car accident to cause a lifetime of grief and trauma. The aftermath of Charlotte car accidents is often confusing and chaotic, leaving the victims with more questions than answers. If you or your loved one have been injured in a Charlotte car accident, you may feel like you do not know where to turn to seek compensation for your damages.
Sometimes car accident victims assume that they will receive a fair settlement because they were not at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, car insurance companies frequently deny claims unfairly or make settlement offers that are far too low. Below, we will discuss some of the most commonly asked questions about recovering compensation after a car accident.
- Do You Have to Report the Car Accident to the Police?
- How Much Time Do You Have to File a Claim?
- Will the Claims Adjuster Help You Reach a Fair Settlement Agreement?
Do You Have to Report the Car Accident to the Police?
Most North Carolina car accidents must be reported to the police, even if you consider them minor. If there are any injuries involved or any deaths, you must report the incident to the police. Even if you only experienced a minor injury, you must report the accident. In cases in which there are no injuries, but there is at least $1,000 of damage to one or more vehicles, you must report the incident to the police.
If you are wondering whether you have to report your car accident, we recommend reporting it. The police officer's report can be a valuable tool. The insurance company will review the police report of the car accident, and you may be able to use the car accident report to bolster your claim.
Sometimes the adrenaline you experience after a car accident makes it difficult to feel all of the pain you are experiencing right away. If you do not report the accident but later realize you have serious injuries that need medical treatment, you will be doing yourself a disservice. For example, whiplash injuries often do not become evident until hours or days after the car accident. You may go home and rest and then wake up and find yourself in severe pain. It is better to err on the side of caution and request a police officer at the scene of the accident.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Claim?
In other cases, people assume they have plenty of time to file an insurance claim after an accident. It is typical to focus on recovering from your injuries and your losses after being involved in a serious car accident. The thought of dealing with an insurance claim or lawsuit can be overwhelming. However, it is crucial that you get started on your claim as soon as you can. The more time you have to focus on your claim, the more your lawyer can negotiate and gather evidence. Additionally, if you wait too long, the statute of limitations could run out for your claim.
In a car accident case, victims have three years from the car accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within that time frame, you will lose your ability to recover compensation through a civil lawsuit. Your attorney will also need time to gather evidence, depose witnesses, and begin the negotiation process. The sooner you contact an experienced car accident lawyer, the better.
Will the Claims Adjuster Help You Reach a Fair Settlement Agreement?
If you were innocent and did not cause the car accident, you may assume that the insurance company will automatically give you the settlement you deserve. Claims adjusters will probably begin contacting you immediately after the accident, asking you to provide a recorded statement and trying to tell you they are here to help you get the compensation you need. Unfortunately, insurance companies are notorious for not offering a fair amount to car accident victims. We recommend speaking to an attorney before you provide a recorded statement or sign any settlement agreements provided by the insurance company. An attorney can help you negotiate the settlement, so you receive the full amount you deserve.
If you have been involved in a serious car accident, you probably have even more questions about how to recover the compensation you deserve. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, are here to help you navigate the process of filing an insurance claim. Contact our Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.
