Why Choose Lakota R. Denton for Your Car Accident Case in Asheville?
Because we have been representing victims of Asheville car accidents for many years.
We understand North Carolina car accident laws and have an in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations within Henderson County and Asheville.
- We understand. We understand that being in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. You’re in pain, you need medical treatment, and you need the best doctors. Your car needs to be repaired or replaced.
The last thing you should have to worry about is whether or not you can afford a car accident attorney. That’s why we work on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
- We do not rush a settlement. Severe injuries require months of physical therapy or even surgery. The severity of a car accident injury doesn’t always manifest itself right away, and the full extent of the damage may take some time to be discovered.
Rushing into a settlement is detrimental to your case. How would you feel after accepting a settlement that a previously unknown medical issue caused by the accident now requires additional treatment? We are patient. Your recovery and compensation are important to us.
- We have a history of successful outcomes. You may be worried that if you don’t get a good settlement, there may not be enough to cover your medical bills, your lost wages, your car, and enough compensation for your pain and suffering.
We have represented many injured car accident victims in North Carolina who received favorable results from settlements, awards, and verdicts. We make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation possible.
- You deserve a better lawyer. We believe that every client deserves the best possible representation. We’re not afraid to take on tough cases and we never give up. We are fortunate to have so many former clients leave us reviews and testimonials.
As our client, you deserve nothing less but the best. If you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in Asheville, NC who will fight for you and get you the maximum settlement, we’re the firm for you.
With our experience handling car accident cases, we are dedicated to getting our clients the compensation they deserve.
Attorney Lakota Denton has been awarded Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Lawyers under 40, and the Avvo Clients Choice award.
Mr. Denton also has numerous community projects in place such as Slow Down Asheville and Serve Safe, Drink Safe, and Do the Right Thing.
Protect yourself and get the full and fair compensation you need by talking with our team of Asheville accident lawyers at (828) 333-5996. Call today or contact an attorney online.
You can also visit our offices at Orchard St in Downtown Asheville or Hendersonville Road in South Asheville during business hours.How Much is Your Asheville Car Accident Worth?
An experienced car accident lawyer knows that there is no set answer or single formula for determining the value of your case, especially for damages for pain and suffering.
The value depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether doctors expect those injuries to be long-term or permanent, and the actions and inactions of the defendant.
1) The extent of your injuries. Courts do not put as much value on a sprained ankle as they do on someone with a fractured neck. Generally, the more serious your injury, the more value a jury or insurance company will place on your case.
2) The behavior of the at-fault person. Juries typically do not appreciate people who cause car crashes and then refuse to take responsibility for their behavior.
3) The severity of the crash. The more serious the crash, the more value an insurance company or jury will place on your case. We use experts to reconstruct accidents. Seeing how the accident happened, and including pictures of the damage are ways to show the severity of your crash.
4) The amount of your medical bills. Generally, the more medical expenses you have as a result of your accident, the more it can raise the value of your case. However, be careful. Many “car accident value calculators” will try to tell you that your claim is worth three times your medical bills. This is grossly oversimplified.
What Are Some Common Causes of Car Accidents in Asheville?
Asheville is known for its scenic views and beautiful landscapes, but unfortunately, it is also home to thousands of vehicle accidents that cause injury, property damage, and even death.
While no two accidents are the same, understanding the most common causes can help you prepare and prevent them in the future.
The most common causes of vehicle accidents in Asheville include:
- Distracted driving: Distraction is a major cause of car crashes in Asheville. Whether it’s texting while driving, talking on the phone, or not paying attention to the road while you are driving, all are serious distractions that can lead to tragic results.
- Speeding: Speed limits exist for a reason. Obeying speed limits can help reduce the severity of an accident in case of a collision.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous; it impairs your ability to make quick decisions or react properly in an emergency.
- Poor weather conditions: Weather conditions can be hard to predict in Asheville. When roads become slippery due to rain or snow, drivers must stay alert and avoid sudden turns which can cause loss of control over their vehicles and serious accidents.
By familiarizing yourself with these common causes, you will be better prepared when driving on Asheville’s roads and highways.
What Laws Apply to Asheville Car Accidents?
The state of North Carolina follows a “fault-based” system. This means that the party at fault for the accident must pay for damages and injuries sustained by those injured in the crash.
When determining who is at fault, there are a few factors to take into account:
- Negligence. If one party acted carelessly or recklessly and caused an accident, they may be liable for any injuries or damages.
- Contributory negligence. Under North Carolina law, someone partially at fault will not be able to recover compensation for their damages. The defendant, who caused the accident, must demonstrate that the plaintiff played a role in causing the accident.
- Statute of limitations. In North Carolina, victims have three years from the date of an injury to file a civil lawsuit if their injury is due to another person’s negligence.
- Insurance coverage. According to North Carolina Motor Vehicle Law, drivers must purchase liability car insurance coverage. Drivers must have at least $30,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury, and $60,000 total per accident when multiple people are injured. In addition, drivers are required to have a minimum of $25,000 in coverage for property damage and also purchase uninsured motorists coverage.
Different types of compensation are available after a car accident, such as past and future lost income, past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and punitive damages (in extreme cases).
Statistics on Vehicle Accidents in Asheville
According to the most recent statistics from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were 4,517 crashes with 13 fatalities and 1,345 injuries in 2022.
When someone else is at fault for the accident, they may be liable for medical expenses or other damages. It could also be possible to receive compensation through insurance coverage.
Unfortunately, even with clear-cut evidence, insurance companies may still deny your claim, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next.
Navigating the law after an Asheville vehicle accident can be difficult and intimidating, but you must take action quickly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
A qualified Asheville car accident attorney can help understand your options and protect your rights so that you don’t get taken advantage of by insurance companies.
Seeking Medical Attention After a Car Accident in Asheville
No matter if you think your injuries are minor or not, whatever happened as a result of the accident needs to be checked out by a medical professional.
If you have any kind of injury from a car crash, be sure to get checked out and seek medical attention right away.
This is important, not only for your own well-being but also when it comes to pursuing compensation through car accident claims.
Medical records and bills associated with the medical care you receive are key pieces of evidence that can help you recover damages from the other driver after an accident.
The following are some of the benefits of seeing a healthcare practitioner shortly after an Asheville car accident.
- – An accurate diagnosis of your injuries
- – Proper treatment and a management plan for relief
- – Documentation of the treatment provided and any ensuing medical bills
- – Accurately projected costs to treat any future-related injuries caused by the crash
- – Professional testimony in court if needed
- – Reimbursement for lost income caused by missed work associated with inpatient/outpatient treatments due to your injuries from the accident.
Determining Compensation After An Asheville Vehicle Accident
North Carolina law is designed to ensure that the at-fault driver or their insurance company pays out compensation to the injured party.
Negligence And Fault
When determining compensation for an Asheville vehicle accident, you must prove that someone else was at fault for the accident and that their negligence was responsible for your damages. This means proving that the other person acted carelessly or recklessly in a way that caused your injury or property damage.
Amount of Compensation
Vehicle accidents are a common occurrence in Asheville, North Carolina, and can result in significant physical, emotional, and financial damages to those involved. In such cases, it is important to understand how compensation works after an Asheville vehicle accident.
- Determining compensation: To receive compensation from a personal injury claim after an Asheville vehicle accident, you must first determine who is responsible for the costs associated with your injuries and damages. North Carolina law is designed to ensure that the at-fault driver or their insurance company pays out compensation to the injured party. This covers medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the accident.
- Amount of compensation: The amount of compensation you receive will depend on various factors such as the severity of your injuries, hospitalization costs, and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident. Generally speaking, more serious crashes might result in higher settlements than minor collisions with no serious injuries — but this isn’t always the case. The laws are designed to make sure you are fully compensated for all losses related to the crash.
Additionally, if you’re filing a third-party claim against another driver’s insurer – like filing a bodily injury liability claim – North Carolina is a contributory negligence state, which means if you are found even slightly responsible for an accident, then you aren’t able to collect from anyone else involved in it.
It’s highly advisable to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in Asheville. When an attorney understands the process of car accident cases and has a proven record of wins, you can feel confident you are getting the best representation possible. Call Lakota Denton today at 828-333-5996 to talk about your case.
What Are the Different Types of Compensation in a Car Accident?
There are two types of compensation available after an Asheville vehicle accident: economic damages and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include all out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other financial losses. These damages are relatively easy to calculate since they are based on actual financial losses.
Non-economic Damages
Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, are more subjective and difficult to quantify. These damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
Since these damages are difficult to quantify, they often require the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.
How to Win a Car Accident Case in North Carolina
Many Asheville car accident attorneys will never actually file a lawsuit or try your case in front of a jury. Jury trials are a lot of work and they are very time-consuming.
They take a sophisticated understanding of your case and superior knowledge of North Carolina accident laws to handle it correctly.
Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to take cases to trial, and which lawyers just want to settle. Insurance companies also know which lawyers have been successful at litigating accident lawsuits.
The bottom line is that if you have a lawyer who is only interested in settling your case, the insurance company will offer as little as possible knowing that they are not willing to take the case to trial.
Asheville auto accident attorneys who regularly take cases to trial will consistently get higher offers from insurance companies.
Insurance companies are in the business of managing risk and don’t like paying policy limits or large settlements – and there is no greater risk to their bottom line than an Asheville car accident lawyer who will place the value of a case in the hands of a jury.
Lakota Denton routinely tries cases in front of juries. During one time, Mr. Denton tried a case every month for three months, and insurance companies took note.
Hiring An Experienced Asheville Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
If you are involved in an Asheville vehicle accident and wish to pursue legal action, you should consider retaining an experienced vehicle accident attorney.
An experienced attorney focuses on state and local laws related to vehicle accidents, so they will have an in-depth knowledge of the process for pursuing a legal claim for car accident injuries.
Below are some key benefits of hiring a qualified lawyer:
- An attorney will be knowledgeable about the law: Your lawyer will be familiar with the laws related to Asheville vehicle accidents, as well as the process for filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation for your losses. They can also help guide you through paperwork and other legal processes, saving you time and energy.
- Experienced lawyers have negotiation experience: Attorneys usually have years of experience negotiating favorable settlements on behalf of their clients. This means they know how to successfully negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to maximize your recovery without putting yourself in a bad position legally.
- Injury law firms have access to resources: Vehicle accident attorneys have access to resources such as medical experts who can testify on your behalf, accident reconstruction specialists who can review evidence, and witnesses who can shed light on your case. These resources may be critical in helping win your case or negotiating a favorable outcome.
By hiring an experienced vehicle accident attorney, you can take advantage of their knowledge and skills so that you don’t have to worry about fighting an insurance company alone.
Contact an Asheville Car Accident Lawyer Today
As a car accident victim, you have the right to fair and full compensation. Trying to figure out North Carolina accident and insurance laws can be complex and overwhelming. With the right lawyer, the process can be made easier.
A skilled Asheville vehicle accident lawyer can provide competent legal counsel in the pursuit of fair and just compensation. Any car accident case that involves catastrophic injuries and wrongful death requires an experienced attorney.
If you or someone you love has been in a car accident in Asheville, Contact Lakota R. Denton Trial Lawyer at (828) 333-5996 for a free consultation and legal advice.
FAQs Relating to Asheville Vehicle Accidents
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Asheville, NC
If you are in the unfortunate position of being involved in a vehicle accident in Asheville, you may have questions about the legalities and financial compensation.
Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding Asheville vehicle accidents that have been answered by our experienced North Carolina car accident attorneys.
Can I file a lawsuit if the insurance company denies my claim or offers an inadequate settlement?
Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages if the insurance company denies your claim or offers an inadequate settlement.
However, it’s best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney in Asheville to evaluate your options and determine the best course of action.
Will my insurance cover my damages if I am found to be at fault for the accident?
This will depend on the specific terms of your insurance policy. In some cases, your insurance may cover your damages even if you are at fault, but in other cases, you may not be covered.
It’s important to review your insurance policy with a car accident lawyer to understand your coverage.
What Should I Do When I’m Involved in an Accident?
If you are in an accident, dial 911. You must legally remain at the scene of the accident. Get any necessary medical attention and only give a statement to the police that does not admit fault.
Take photographs or videos if possible. Then contact our experienced Asheville personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Lakota R. Denton, P.A. – Asheville Office
36 Orchard St, Asheville, NC 28801