North Carolina Lawyers Blog

Traffic accidents and motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death in the United States. Millions of people are seriously injured in car accidents every year, while tens of thousands die. According to research performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there is a car accident every 10 seconds in the United States. One third of them will result in an injury.

The vast majority of car accidents are caused by negligence on the part of one or both drivers. Negligence is a legal term that means a failure to act with reasonable care under the prevailing circumstances. Common acts of driver negligence include failing to obey traffic signals and speeding. If a person is negligent in operating a motor vehicle and injures someone as a result of that negligence, they may be required to financially compensate the injured person.

Car accidents, of course, do not always involve only passenger vehicles. Commercial trucks are also involved in collisions. Because of their size and power, truck accidents usually result in severe injuries to one or more of the parties involved. In fact, around 5,000 people are killed every year in accidents involving large trucks. Two particularly deadly types of trucking accidents are truck underride (a vehicle sliding underneath a truck) and truck override (a truck running over a vehicle in front of it).

Like truck accidents, accidents involving motorcycles frequently result in fatalities. Unlike a car, motorcycles provide riders with virtually no protection. An object striking a motorcyclist will have direct contact with the cyclist’s body. Motorcyclists are also at a great risk of being thrown from their bike. As a result, the cyclist could collide with the roadway or strike a fixed object, leading to further injuries.

Approximately two thirds of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the driver of a motor vehicle failing to yield to the cyclist’s right of way. With the other party so often at fault, many motorcyclists will find themselves in the position of having to seek compensation from the responsible person.

A person who is injured in a traffic accident can seek compensation for their injuries and expenses. Certain family members of a person who was killed in a traffic accident also have a right to pursue legal action against the responsible party. Road accident victims often turn to litigation when the settlement offered by the insurance company is inadequate to cover their losses.

Some of the losses for which traffic accident victims may be compensated include:
•    Medical care
•    Damage to their vehicle and other personal property
•    Rental car fees
•    Lost wages
•    Pain and suffering
•    Emotional distress

Obtaining professional NC Legal Representation evens the playing field for the accident victim. Insurance companies have a team of in-house lawyers and expert investigators. An attorney can help ensure that the victim’s interests are fully and fairly represented.

Contact Younce & Vtipil for more information about how we can help you rightfully claim the benefits you deserve - (919) 661-9000