Charlotte Crash Victims Work Directly With the Attorney on Their Case
Bradford Law helps people hurt in Charlotte car accidents investigate the crash, document their losses, and push back when an insurer disputes fault.
Why Clients Trust Bradford Law
Choosing a lawyer after a crash means choosing who will listen to your concerns, investigate what happened, and deal with the insurer while you recover. Bradford Law emphasizes direct attorney contact and the resources to build a claim when fault or the extent of an injury is disputed.
- Direct attorney contact: Jeremy Bradford speaks personally with clients and handles their calls.
- Experience: More than 15 years of North Carolina personal injury experience.
- No recovery, no attorney fee: You pay an attorney fee only if the firm recovers compensation for you.
- Expert support: When a case calls for it, we work with medical and technical professionals, including collision reconstructionists.
- Meetings when you cannot travel: Jeremy travels to meet injured clients elsewhere in North Carolina when they cannot come to him.
- Results: Jeremy has recovered millions of dollars for clients over his career. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The sooner a crash is investigated, the better the chance of identifying witnesses and preserving evidence that may help answer disputed questions. Bradford Law can review what is available, explain the challenges in your case, and help you decide how to move forward.
What to Do at the Scene of a Car Accident in Charlotte
North Carolina law gives every driver in a crash specific duties. If you can do so safely, follow these steps:
- Stop and stay. Every driver in a crash must stop. If anyone is hurt or the damage reaches $1,000, stay until police finish their investigation or tell you to leave, unless staying puts someone at significant risk of injury.
- Call 911. Drivers must notify law enforcement immediately after a crash that injures anyone or causes $1,000 or more in total property damage. If someone is hurt, drivers must also give reasonable help, including calling for medical assistance.
- Exchange information. Give and collect each driver’s name, address, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
- Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, the road, and your injuries. Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Accept medical care. Let paramedics examine you, and see a doctor as soon as you can, even if you feel fine.
The investigating officer must write a crash report within 24 hours. That report is a public record, and your lawyer can use it as evidence when the rules of evidence allow.
What to Avoid After a Car Accident
Adjusters look for anything that shifts blame onto you. Protect your rights and best interests by avoiding these mistakes:
- Apologizing or guessing about fault: Stick to facts. An adjuster can later point to a polite “I’m sorry” as proof you caused the crash.
- Talking on the record too soon: Speak with a lawyer before you agree to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.
- Waiting to see a doctor: A gap in treatment gives the insurer an argument that something else caused your pain.
- Posting about the crash online: Adjusters read public posts, and one photo can undercut your injury claim.
- Signing insurance paperwork: Have a lawyer review any release, medical authorization, or settlement offer before you sign it.
You do not have to sort out fault or evaluate an insurer’s offer on your own. Before giving a recorded statement or signing anything, talk with a Charlotte car accident attorney about what happened and what your claim may be worth.
How Contributory Negligence Affects a Charlotte Car Accident Claim
North Carolina follows contributory negligence. Under that rule, an injured person whom a jury finds even partly at fault recovers nothing from the other driver. In Yancey v. Lea, a jury found both drivers at fault, so the estate of the driver who died recovered nothing. The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the evidence did not show the kind of gross negligence that would have avoided the contributory negligence bar.
Three rules help injured people. First, in court, the driver who blames you has to prove you were at fault. Second, contributory negligence does not bar recovery when the other driver’s gross negligence caused your injuries. The North Carolina Supreme Court defines gross negligence as wanton conduct done with conscious or reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others. The court named drunk driving, excessive speed, and racing as examples. Third, under the last clear chance doctrine, you may still recover if your own mistake put you in danger you could not escape, and the other driver saw or should have seen that danger in time to avoid the crash but failed to do so.
Learn more about how contributory negligence works in North Carolina.
Common Car Accident Injuries We Handle
You may walk away from a crash without knowing how badly you are hurt. Some symptoms appear later, while other injuries require treatment that continues long after the accident. Bradford Law helps clients document injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury and concussion: The CDC reports that some concussion symptoms may not appear for hours or days after the injury.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash, sprains, and strains damage muscles, ligaments, and tendons and need steady treatment records to prove.
- Broken bones and back injuries: Fractures and herniated discs can require surgery and long rehabilitation.
The diagnosis is only part of the story. We review medical records and, when needed, consult specialists to show how the injury has affected your work, daily life, and future care needs.
Filing Deadlines and Crashes That Happen on the Job
In most North Carolina car accident cases, you have three years to file a lawsuit for your injuries. The three years begin when your injury becomes apparent or reasonably should have, which for most crash injuries is the day of the crash. A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death.
If you were driving for work and qualify for workers’ compensation, those benefits and a claim against the at-fault driver can proceed together. Taking one does not give up the other, although your employer or its insurer can be repaid from that recovery for benefits it paid. If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, we can review why and help you respond.
Areas We Serve Around Charlotte
As a Charlotte personal injury lawyer, Jeremy Bradford represents car accident victims in Charlotte and throughout Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus, Iredell, and Union counties from our office at 3507 Monroe Road.
Talk to a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney Today
You should not have to argue with an insurer while you heal. Contact Bradford Law for a free case review with Jeremy Bradford. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor car accident in North Carolina?
You must notify police immediately when a crash injures anyone or causes $1,000 or more in total property damage. If you are unsure whether the damage reaches $1,000, call anyway.
How much does it cost to hire Bradford Law for a car accident case?
Nothing up front. You pay attorney fees only if we recover compensation for you, and the first case review is free. Your fee agreement will explain how case costs are handled if there is no recovery.
What compensation can I recover after a Charlotte car accident?
A successful claim can include medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. Its value depends on the proof of fault, your injuries, and the available insurance.
