Category: Car Accidents

Why should you let paramedics treat you after a car accident?

Many people involved in car accidents are in shock immediately after the crash.  As a result, people often feel like they are fine, don’t feel any pain, or assume that what little pain they have will go away soon.  These people usually refuse to allow EMS to treat them or to go to a hospital.  This can have serious consequences when trying to recover from injuries that manifest hours or days afterward. I have many clients who are involved in a car crash and refuse any medical treatment at the scene of the crash, only to realize they are in serious pain hours or days later.  This is common because our bodies have natural mechanisms that reduce pain immediately after a traumatic event.  However, this can be a problem when people try t[...]

How to Maximize you NC Car Insurance Policy

Our law firm deals with auto insurers on a daily basis.  A large part of what we do involves helping clients recover compensation from other peoples insurance or their own insurance.  We often have to delve into a client's policy to determine their coverage for liability, underinsurance, uninsurance, medical payments, excess coverage, property coverage, and other forms of coverage, in order to help our clients obtain the fair compensation they are owed as a result of their accident.   Here are some tips from our office to help you make sure that you're getting the most out of your North Carolina auto insurance policy, based on my experience as an Asheville personal injury lawyer.  North Carolina's minimum coverage isn't enough Client[...]

Asheville’s Most Dangerous Roads, Part 2: Patton Avenue (VIDEO)

In this series, Asheville Car Accident Lawyer Lakota R. Denton examines Asheville’s most dangerous roads and intersections, as outlined by data from the NC DOT.    Attorney Denton urges drivers in Asheville to Slow Down, to help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents, ands keep Asheville safe and walkable for our citizens, children and pets and . Asheville's Most Dangerous Roads: Patton Avenue Video Transcript: Hi, I’m Lakota Denton, with the Slow Down Asheville campaign, and we’re here on Patton Avenue, in Asheville. In our first video, we talked about the intersection of Patton Avenue and Leicester highway.  There is no crosswalk up there, it is a very dangerous intersection. There’s a bus stop, lots of businesses, a gro[...]

Asheville’s Most Dangerous Roads, Part 1: Merrimon Avenue (VIDEO)

In this series, Asheville personal injury lawyer Lakota R. Denton examines some of Asheville's most dangerous intersections, as outlined by data from the NC DOT.     Attorney Denton urges drivers in Asheville to Slow Down, to help us keep Asheville safe and walkable for our citizens, children and pets.   Watch Video: Asheville's Most Dangerous Roads: Merrimon Avenue Video Transcript: Hi, I’m Lakota Denton with the Slow Down Asheville campaign. I want to talk to you a little more about our campaign. Over the last year, we have given away about 1000 street signs that say “Slow Down Asheville”. I want to talk to you a little bit more about one of the most dangerous sections of road in downtown Asheville. This strip of Merrimon Ave[...]

How to Handle an Asheville Car Accident

As an attorney who handles Asheville car accident claims every day, I want to help people stay informed and know their rights.  It's important to understand the legal landscape of an auto accident claim, but also how certain factors specific to Asheville and Western NC, in general, can affect your claim.   Follow your physician's medical advice If you've been in an accident and have been injured, it is imperative that you allow medical personnel such as Buncombe EMS to treat you at the accident scene, and transport you to the hospital if they deem it necessary.   If the doctor in the ER says to follow up with your primary care doctor in 5-7 days, I recommend you follow this.  If their office cannot see you in that timeframe for[...]

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How do I handle an accident with a commercial truck or 18-Wheeler?

Have you been injured in a semi truck accident? Hundreds of thousands of truck accidents occur each year. Many of these result in death or injuries to the people involved. Motorists in passenger vehicles are especially vulnerable to catastrophic semi truck accident injuries when they are in accidents with commercial trucks. Truck accident medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses often leave families with no idea what to do or where to turn for help. Filing a claim for semi truck accident injuries is different from filing a typical personal injury claim. In most commercial truck accidents, there are several parties who may be liable for an injured person's damages: the truck driver, the operator, or the owner of the truck. Any or all [...]

What Is Contributory Negligence and How Does It Affect My Case?

Contributory Negligence in North Carolina Many car accident victims become confused when they learn about the concept of contributory negligence in North Carolina. They usually discover that their car accident claim is barred when the at-fault insurance company denies their claim on the basis of contributory negligence. In North Carolina, people who allege negligence cannot file suit if they were even partially responsible for their damages. Many common-sense beliefs about car accidents and liability do not apply in North Carolina because of the state’s contributory negligence doctrine. One common situation is when a victim is injured when they are rear-ended at a stoplight. The victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the cras[...]

What Are Punitive Damages and How Do They Affect My Car Accident Case?

Can I receive punitive damages for my car accident case? Punitive damages get a lot of media attention, especially when a jury awards a plaintiff a multimillion dollar verdict. The headlines that these verdicts create lead many auto accident victims to wonder if they could receive punitive damages for car accident cases. Ready to navigate the complexities of punitive damages in your car accident case? An experienced Asheville car accident lawyer is your key to understanding and pursuing the compensation you deserve. Don't face the legal intricacies alone—contact us today for personalized guidance and expert representation tailored to your unique situation. Your peace of mind is just a consultation away. Punitive Damages Definition T[...]

Why Lawyers Turn Down Personal Injury Cases

5 Reasons Lawyers Might Not Want Your Case Many injured people find themselves asking, "Why won't a lawyer take my case?" You may have spoken to several different attorneys, none of whom was willing to take your case. What's worse, they may have given you only a vague answer when you asked why they wouldn't represent you. There are many different factors that could make a “good” car accident case; however, most “bad” car accident cases have the same few factors in common. Here are a few circumstances that could lead to lawyers turning down your personal injury case. You waited too long to seek medical treatment A lot of people walk away from car accidents feeling mostly fine, experiencing discomfort or mild pain at worst. These[...]

Car Accident Insurance Coverage

What Insurance Coverage You'll Need After an Accident Many people don’t start asking questions about their car accident insurance coverage until they’ve been in an accident. This is when it’s most important that you have the coverage you need – but if you don’t have good coverage, then it’s too late to change it. Here are some coverage options you’ll probably need if you’ve been in an accident. Some types of coverage are required by North Carolina state law, while others are merely a very good idea. You may want to familiarize yourself with some common legal terminology, to get the most out of this article.  Liability Coverage Liability coverage, required in North Carolina, is the basic type of coverage that pays out for[...]