Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?
If you were seriously injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, hiring an attorney is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights. Because North Carolina applies one of the nation’s strictest negligence standards, even a small allegation of fault can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation. When medical costs are high or liability is disputed, having experienced legal representation can make the difference between a denied claim and a fair recovery.
A car accident lawyer at Rhine Law Firm, P.C., protects your rights and fights for you to receive the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in North Carolina
If your accident only caused damage to your vehicle with no injuries, you can usually obtain repair estimates and handle the claim directly, either through your own insurance company (if you have collision coverage) or through the at-fault driver’s insurer if liability is clear. In most cases, the value of the car is based on Blue Book value and subject to very little debate.
However, if the at-fault driver questions liability, it’s important to proceed carefully because North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence standard, which means you may be denied compensation if you’re found even one percent at fault.
You should contact a lawyer immediately if your case involves any of the following:
- Serious or catastrophic injuries — including broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, or any condition requiring ongoing medical care.
- Wrongful death — when an accident results in the loss of a loved one, legal guidance is critical to pursue a wrongful death claim and secure justice for your family.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorists — if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses, these cases can quickly become complex. Navigating multiple policies and state insurance laws often requires legal expertise to ensure you don’t pay out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.
- Unfair insurance practices — when an insurer unreasonably delays, denies, or undervalues your claim, or acts in bad faith by failing to honor the terms of your policy. In these cases, legal representation is often the only way to hold the insurer accountable and secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
- Disputed liability or unclear fault — when disagreement or uncertainty about who caused the accident, such as conflicting witness statements, incomplete police reports, or multiple vehicles involved.
“We have 30 years of experience standing up to insurance companies. We’ve won millions of dollars for clients from our Auto Accident Law Firm office. We have the resources to fight for fair compensation – and we won’t be intimidated.” – Rhine Law Firm
Understanding Contributory Negligence
As noted, North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule means that if you are found even one percent at fault for an accident, you could lose your right to compensation entirely.
Insurance companies understand this and often search for any small detail to shift blame. They might argue, for example, that you were driving five miles over the speed limit and therefore share fault for the crash. However, speeding alone does not automatically make you legally responsible. To bar your recovery, the insurance company must show that your actions actually caused or contributed to the collision.
A skilled attorney can challenge those claims by questioning the accuracy of the evidence, highlighting that the other driver’s conduct was the true cause of the crash, or invoking legal exceptions such as the last clear chance doctrine, which asserts that the other driver had the last clear chance to avoid the collision – but didn’t.
In North Carolina, where even a small finding of fault can derail your case, having knowledgeable legal representation can make the difference between walking away with nothing and securing the compensation you deserve.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations
Accident victims generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to file by the deadline means the case cannot go forward.
However, it is critical to hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. In any car accident case, the strength of the evidence is the determining factor. Valuable evidence, including local surveillance footage, can vanish if the victim waits too long to seek legal counsel.
Contact a Wilmington Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were seriously injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you need the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer at Rhine Law Firm, P.C. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay no fee unless you receive compensation.
About Us
Rhine Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide, specializing in complex civil litigation led by Joel Rhine. With expertise in personal injury, car accidents, property damage, sex abuse, and more, the firm is passionate about taking on challenging cases. They emphasize providing personalized legal representation, prioritizing their clients’ best interests while offering state-of-the-art legal strategies. Rhine Law Firm’s dedicated attorneys enjoy the fight for justice and are committed to guiding clients through complicated legal processes. The firm offers free consultations, flexible appointment scheduling, and Spanish language services.
