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Improper turns are a common cause of vehicle accidents. According to North Carolina Statute § 20-154, North Carolina traffic laws require signaling an intention to turn in order to warn other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians of what you are about to do so they can slow down and react safely. When someone fails to signal appropriately, yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, or turn into the correct lane, that party can be held liable for the damages caused by an accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died in a crash caused by someone making an improper turn, a Spindale improper turns accident lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC may be able to help you get compensation for your losses. North Carolina car accident laws are complicated, but we can take the burden off you by handling all legal matters so you can concentrate on your recovery.
We offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your accident and determine the best way to handle it. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no fees to you unless we win your case. Call us today at (828) 286-3866.
Getting Compensation in North Carolina
North Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents, so the person who is responsible for the accident is liable for damages that resulted. To get compensation, you may file a claim several ways:
- With your own insurance carrier: submit a claim to your insurance company, which will attempt to get payment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company through negotiations
- A lawsuit: if you are unable to get a fair settlement through insurance, you may seek compensation through a lawsuit.
How a Lawyer May Be Able to Help
Insurance companies are out for profit, and adjusters may try to get you to accept the lowest amount possible in return for getting your money quickly. However, accepting their offer can mean that you never receive fair compensation and that you have no recourse should your injuries get worse. Our lawyers are aware of the tactics insurance companies use and are prepared to deal with them, and insurers may be more likely to take your case seriously with a lawyer on your side.
Other ways in which a car accident lawyer may be able to help you include:
- Analyzing the facts of your accident to make sure you have a valid lawsuit
- Explaining how the law works and the best way to proceed
- Conducting investigations to find evidence to prove the other party was at-fault
- Handling all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Preparing your case for trial, should negotiations break down
- Building and arguing your case in court on your behalf
North Carolina Laws and Procedures
North Carolina has specific laws and procedures relevant to your case. These include:
Proving Negligence
To win a lawsuit, your attorney would have to prove the other party, the defendant in the case, was negligent. In North Carolina, violating the turn signal statute does not automatically mean that the defendant was negligent. Proving negligence involves showing the following elements:
- Duty: the defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm
- Breach: the defendant breached that duty, such as by failing to signal or turn safely
- Cause: the breach caused your injuries
- Damages: the injuries resulted in actual damages
Contributory Negligence
North Carolina has a contributory negligence law, Statute § 1-139, which makes it necessary to prove the other driver was 100% at fault for the accident. Our lawyers have the resources to investigate and help prove that you were not at fault. We may:
- Investigate the crash scene and gather evidence such as photographs and videos from security or traffic cameras
- Interview witnesses and examine police and medical reports
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and testify on your behalf
Statute of Limitations
According to North Carolina Statute § 1-52, there is a deadline for filing a civil lawsuit for injury or property damage of three years from the date of the accident. If a death is involved, North Carolina Statute § 1-53 sets a filing deadline of two years from the date of the death.
Your Spindale improper turns accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can make sure everything is filed promptly and correctly. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start to collect evidence while it is fresh and build your case.
Call us today at (828) 286-3866 to get started.
Damages Awards You May Receive
In a successful lawsuit, you may receive an award called “damages” to cover the costs, losses, and injuries from your car accident. In North Carolina, you may receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, as follows:
Economic damages cover your monetary losses and expenses, such as:
- Medical and rehabilitative expenses
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs and other property damage
Non-economic damages are for less-tangible damages. These may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium and companionship in the event of a wrongful death
In some rare cases of extreme wrongdoing, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and to deter similar bad conduct by others in the future.
Damage Award Amounts
The amount of damage awards you may receive varies greatly depending on the individual situation of your accident, and may range from the thousands to millions of dollars.
Some factors that may be considered in determining a settlement amount are:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- Property damage amount
- Your age, earning potential, and family responsibilities, and if you will be able to work again
- The extent of insurance and the assets of the defendants
- The individual judge and jury that may be involved
- The strength of your case and your attorney’s ability to present it
Call Our Firm for Help Today
Improper-turn accidents can cause major injuries ranging from broken bones and lacerations to brain, head, and neck injuries that can lead to paralysis and death. Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC at (828) 286-3866 to let a Spindale improper turns accident lawyer from our team get started fighting for justice and the compensation you may be entitled to.
