Car Accident Lawyer
Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Serving NC, SC & GA
Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, millions of car crashes occur each year, leaving victims with devastating injuries, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our experienced car accident lawyers have helped thousands of clients across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
When you are involved in a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, you should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line. Our attorneys understand the tactics insurers use, and we know how to counter them effectively to secure the maximum settlement or verdict for our clients.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but the vast majority are caused by some form of driver negligence. Understanding the cause of your accident is critical to building a strong legal case. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving — Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or any activity that takes a driver's attention off the road.
- Speeding — Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.
- Drunk or impaired driving — Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Reckless driving — Aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and running red lights put everyone on the road at risk.
- Fatigued driving — Drowsy drivers are as dangerous as intoxicated ones, especially on long highway stretches.
- Poor weather conditions — Rain, fog, ice, and other weather hazards require extra caution. Drivers who fail to adjust are liable for resulting accidents.
- Defective vehicle parts — Faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems can cause a driver to lose control.
Types of Injuries in Car Accidents
The injuries sustained in car accidents range from minor to catastrophic. Even low-speed collisions can cause significant harm. Common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and soft tissue injuries
- Burns from vehicle fires or airbag deployment
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Many car accident injuries have delayed symptoms. You may feel fine immediately after a collision only to experience severe pain days or weeks later. This is why it is essential to seek medical attention right away and to consult with an attorney before speaking to any insurance company.
State-Specific Car Accident Laws
North Carolina Car Accident Law
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence standard, which is one of the strictest in the nation. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-151, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This makes it critically important to have an experienced attorney who can establish that the other party was entirely at fault. North Carolina also requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. The statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in North Carolina is 3 years from the date of the accident under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.
South Carolina Car Accident Law
South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence system under S.C. Code § 15-38-15. You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. South Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The statute of limitations for car accident claims in South Carolina is 3 years under S.C. Code § 15-3-530.
Georgia Car Accident Law
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, with your award reduced by your degree of fault. Georgia mandates minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents in Georgia is 2 years from the date of the accident under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Victims of car accidents may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
In cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior.
Why Choose Dr. Ted Injury Law?
Our firm has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for car accident victims throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our team handles every aspect of your claim, from investigating the accident scene and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to trial. We have the resources and experience to fight even the largest insurance companies. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.