Injured in a Car Accident?
Practice Areas
Durham Car Accident Attorney
Law Office of Donald R. Strickland Uses Experienced Counsel & Proven Results in NC
If you were involved in an automobile accident that was caused by no fault of your own, you deserve to have a fearless legal advocate from the Law Office of Donald R. Strickland on your side. You should not have to pay for someone else’s careless actions. Don Strickland uses his skill and experience to ensure your rights are fully protected. Our Durham car accident attorney has devoted his legal career to protecting the rights of the wrongfully injured and looks forward to serving you as well.
Insurance companies will try to offer low-ball settlements, but Don Strickland refuses to accept anything less than what you are entitled to receive. He uses decades of experience, an impressive record of results, and a hard earned excellent reputation to ensure your case gets the attention it deserves – and the financial recovery you need.
Hurt in an auto accident in Durham? Call Don Strickland at (919) 828-4357 to request a free consultation!
File Your Car Accident Claim As Soon as Possible!
Your right to file a car accident injury claim has a time limit on it. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and every state has their own timeline of when the statute of limitations will run out. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations is three years. This means you have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim or you will most likely not be able to file one. This law can be found in North Carolina General Statutes section 1-52, and it applies to both filing an injury claim and filing a vehicle damage claim. It is important to note that the statute of limitations does come with exceptions which allow a claimant to extend the time they have to file, or the time limit can be shorter depending on the specifics of your case. If you are not sure how the statute of limitations may affect your case, call our firm today to speak to a member of our team during a free consultation. We are standing by to help you!
What Is Negligence In a Car Accident Injury Claim?
If you are injured in a car accident, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. In these claims, however, it is crucial to prove that the injuries you suffered are the result of the negligent actions of another. While negligence is easy to understand on paper, proving it in court is typically far more complex. Below our attorneys have outlined four elements of negligence.
The Driver Owed You A Duty
The process begins by proving that the driver had a responsibility to act in a certain way. In car accident cases, evidence like the North Carolina Driver’s Handbook can be invaluable as it establishes the way a driver is supposed to act in certain scenarios. Examples of a driver’s duty include:
- EThe duty to stop at a red light
- EThe duty to drive in accordance with posted speed limits
- EThe duty to keep your car safely maintained
The Driver Breached This Duty
Once you have established that the driver was supposed to act in a certain way, you then must prove that they deviated from this duty. While this sounds easy, real-life situations are often very complex. Your Attorney may use police reports, accident reconstruction specialists, and other pieces of evidence to prove this.
The Breach Directly Caused Injuries
At this stage, you have proven that the driver owed you a duty, and that they breached this duty. You must then prove that you suffered injuries as a result of the breach. Your medical records will be a valuable piece of evidence in this stage of the process.
You Suffered Monetary Losses
The last step is essentially valuating your injuries and other losses you’ve suffered, referred to as ‘damages.’ Things like the cost of a replacement vehicle are relatively easy to assign value to; things like pain and suffering are not. A quality Attorney is extremely important at this stage, as they can fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
4 Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Durham
When you are injured in a car accident, it can be overwhelming to face all of the decisions that are now your responsibility. Most individuals are often faced with car repair, medical attention, and insurance companies contacting them for various statements and policy updates. The Law Office of Donald R. Strickland understands that this can be a chaotic time for you and your loved ones. We have put together a list of some helpful first steps to take after a car accident in Durham, NC.
What are steps to take after being involved in a car accident?
- Step One: Get to safety. Don’t try to inspect the scene of the car accident in the middle of a busy intersection or highway. Once you are in a safe place, call an ambulance and the police.
- Step Two: Document the scene. Take as many pictures as possible and make sure that you get the other party’s contact information, license plate, and insurance company.
- Step Three: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident.
- Step Four: Contact an accident lawyer in Durham to help you seek financial compensation. We will help you achieve maximum compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering.
No matter how serious your car accident injury is, our team is ready to help you achieve maximum compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact our trusted car accident lawyer in Durham for experienced and aggressive representation.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
After being involved in the legal arena for over 36 years, Don Strickland knows what it takes to drive a case to success. Our Durham auto accident attorney knows how insurance companies work and the common strategies they will take to try to diminish the value of your case. Meticulous investigation and thorough preparation will go a long way.
Common types of car accident injuries include:
- EPast and future medical expenses
- ELost wages and/or lost earning capacity
- EPhysical pain
- EMental and emotional suffering
- ELoss of use of a body part
- EScars and disfigurement
- EPermanent injuries
- ELoss of enjoyment of life
- EProperty damages
- EOther accident-related expenses
Hear it From Our Satisfied Clients!
Can I File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?
Usually once you accept an insurance settlement it is difficult to recover more compensation, since most insurance settlements specifically state that the amount agreed upon will be the only money paid to the injured party. This is why it’s so important to speak with an attorney before signing a settlement. If you have already signed something, however, you may still have options. Speak to an attorney at our firm about the specifics of your case and get started today.
Get the Legal Advice You Need to Move Forward.
Determining fault and negligence after an auto accident will be a critical step in the claims-filing process. Don Strickland works tenaciously when investigating your case so he can accurately determine how negligence and fault will play a role in your case. No matter the circumstances involved in your unique case, he is prepared, equipped, and qualified to guide your steps from start to finish.
To determine your options at this time, contact Don Strickland and request a consultation for your car accident claim in Durham, NC.