Were you injured in a truck accident in Charlotte, North Carolina? If so, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. We know that pursuing a personal injury claim after a truck accident can feel overwhelming.
When you work with Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys at your side, you won’t have to handle your legal issues by yourself as you’ll have caring and skilled legal experts to help you at each step. Reach out to our team of Charlotte truck accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation at (980) 340-8620.
How Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Truck Accident in Charlotte, NC
If you’ve suffered a truck accident injury in Charlotte, North Carolina, you have many options when it comes to choosing a lawyer. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys brings 150+ years of combined experience to the table. In our more than four decades serving our community, we have recovered over $100 million for our clients. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers and been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, among other distinctions.
Our knowledge and expertise make us well-qualified to evaluate your truck accident claim and explain your legal options. To ensure our clients receive fair compensation for truck accident injuries, Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys will:
- Examine the details of the accident
- Identify the party or parties responsible for the accident
- Compile information from police reports, witness statements, medical records, and other sources of evidence
- Engage in negotiations with insurance companies and other involved parties
- Serve as your advocate all the way through a trial if a settlement cannot be reached
In some cases, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, we may work with appropriate experts to strengthen your case. We are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you. Call our Charlotte personal injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
What is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
The amount of money that you may receive as a result of your injuries will depend on a number of considerations. Relevant questions to consider include:
- What kind of injuries do you have?
- How much is your medical treatment going to cost?
- How long is recovery expected to last?
- How has your injury affected your work?
- How has your injury changed your daily activities?
- Have you suffered permanent damage due to your injury?
The true cost of your truck accident may not be immediately clear, and this makes the situation more complex. Injuries can require ongoing treatment, involving multiple doctor visits, medication, and therapy. Moreover, it can take some time to find the right mental health treatment for accident-related trauma.
When you work with Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can be confident that we will gather all of the information necessary to make a knowledgeable evaluation of your claim. Our goal is to make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in North Carolina?
If you are injured in a truck accident, you will have to prove that someone else was negligent in order to recover compensation.
Truck accidents, like other motor vehicles, often occur because of distracted driving, inexperienced drivers, and speeding. Truck accidents can also happen for these reasons:
- Fatigued driving: Long hours can wear out drivers.
- Improper loading: Overloading cargo can lead to problems.
- Negligent hiring: Some companies don’t screen or train their drivers well.
There are four parts to a negligence claim. You must show 1) the defendant owed you a duty of care, 2) the defendant breached this duty of care (i.e., they did not act in a reasonable manner), 3) you were injured because the defendant breached their duty of care, and 4) you suffered damages as a result of your injuries.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
The losses you’ve incurred due to the truck accident are considered damages. With many factors influencing the value of your personal injury claim, the determination of damages can be a complex matter. You may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses that can be measured, such as lost wages, medical costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused by the accident, and repair costs to your vehicle or other property involved in the accident. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses that can be harder to measure, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
In rare instances, when the other party’s behavior is extremely negligent or reckless, you may be entitled to “extra” damages, known as punitive damages. The attorneys at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys will always use their extensive knowledge and expertise to build a strong case for you based upon a fair and accurate claim that considers all of the ways your injury has affected you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
People are often hesitant to contact a lawyer after a truck accident because they are afraid it will be too expensive. However, because our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, you will not have to pay us any money upfront. Instead, we will take a percentage of the compensation you recover if we’re able to settle or win your lawsuit.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in North Carolina?
North Carolina is one of a handful of states in the US that follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means that if the other party can show that you are partly to blame for your injuries, you cannot recover compensation. In other words, contributory negligence is a way for the other party to defend against your claim of negligence.
Even if your actions only played a very small role in your injuries (e.g., you are found to be 1% responsible), the doctrine of contributory negligence doctrine will still prevent you from recovering.
There are a few exceptions to the contributory negligence doctrine, such as gross negligence by the other party). Still, these exceptions are quite limited. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can evaluate the facts of your case and advise you accordingly.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your truck Accident Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries – ranging from mild concussion to brain damage causing severe cognitive and physical impairment – are among the most common injuries sustained in North Carolina truck accidents. Truck accidents can also result in spinal cord and neck injuries, fractures or broken bones, and soft tissue injuries (including bruises and lacerations).
Regardless of the type of injury you’ve suffered, it is important to receive prompt medical attention and treatment if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Whatever your injuries are, our goal is to provide maximum compensation for you.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Charlotte, North Carolina?
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in 2023, there were approximately 4,800 accidents involving large commercial trucks, often known as “semis” or “big rigs.” Over 1,000 of these accidents resulted in injuries, and 74 resulted in fatalities.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are becoming more common throughout the United States. The National Safety Council reported an increasing number of fatal crashes involving large trucks, noting a nearly 50% increase between 2012-2022.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in North Carolina?
In general, North Carolina law gives you three years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain factors, however, can affect this deadline, depending on the specifics of your case. It is best not to wait too long to file a lawsuit because, if you miss the filing deadline, you could lose your chance for financial recovery.
Let Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys start working on your case as soon as possible after your accident. This allows us to build the strongest possible case for you.
Contact Our Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a truck accident, it can be tough to know what to do next. However, you don’t have to navigate this difficult situation by yourself. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can help. We can review your case and talk you through your options for the next steps. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Charlotte truck accident lawyer to learn more about your options.
