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How Catastrophic Accidents Affect Victims’ Lives

­­After an Asheville catastrophic car accident, you may feel that for every question your doctors answer, several new ones arise. How do you pay medical bills after a catastrophic injury? How do you get medical care if you can’t afford it? How will your family be affected after your catastrophic accident? In this article, the second in our personal injury blog series on catastrophic car accident injuries, we’ll talk about the long-term effects of catastrophic injuries on victims’ lives. Important issues in catastrophic accidents include the need for in-home care services, life care planning, and other services to help you adjust and begin building a new life after your accident. Getting medical care for car accident disabilities [...]

Which Asheville Nursing Home is Right for Your Loved One?

In our last post, we talked about a Western North Carolina residential care facility that, in 2015, received a zero rating by NC Department of Health and Human Services because of numerous, egregious health and safety standard violations that left the facility’s residents at serious risk of harm. Despite this, the facility’s owner successfully sued DHHS to withdraw the dismal rating, along with the fines the agency had levied. Even now, the facility’s rating in state documentation is listed as four stars, with no issues reported or cautions to consumers listed about the home’s past violations. Many families deciding on a nursing home rely on state ratings to help them make the best choice for their aging parents. The fact that stat[...]

Pedestrian Accidents in Asheville

Along with topping lists of best travel destinations, Asheville tops another, less-illustrious list. The city ranks the highest in North Carolina for pedestrian accidents, per person. Over a five-year period,  Asheville’s per-capita rate of pedestrian accidents was 8.1 per 10,000 residents. Charlotte, the most populated city in North Carolina, had a rate of 5.1 accidents per 10,000 residents. This blog post is one in our series about safety issues in Asheville. We want to look at the factors that contribute to Asheville’s high rate of pedestrian and bicycle accidents and what can be done to make the city’s streets safer for people who choose to walk and bike. The flow of traffic into and out of Asheville day by day is the first pai[...]

Drunk Driving Accidents in Beer City USA

Asheville’s eclectic charms have allowed it to maintain a consistent position at the top of lifestyle lists in recent years. Our city is frequently named one of the best places to visit or live in travel, food, and other publications. Western North Carolina’s rapid population growth is evidence of this interest in our area. But the rise in tourism and new residents has also correlated to an alarmingly high number of Driving While Intoxicated arrests. Readers who know Asheville as Beer City are probably unsurprised to hear that Buncombe County leads the state in these types of arrests. Drunk driving accidents are a big threat to the people who travel and live in and around Asheville. Here’s a look at why drunk driving is such a hazard[...]

What happens after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft Driver?

Car accidents can be confusing and challenging to sort out, but getting in a car accident involving a driver for a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft (either as a passenger, or driver of another vehicle) can add additional confusion to the situation.  The good news is that your task immediately after the accident is the same:  If you are able, document the accident with photos (of the vehicle damage, any injuries, and the surrounding roadway/intersection), talk to and get contact info for witnesses, and obtain the medical care you need, making sure to follow your MD’s orders throughout your treatment.    It is always wise to speak with an Asheville Personal Injury Attorney, to help determine the best course of action, and to ensu[...]

After an Accident, Beware of Delayed Symptoms

In 2015, North Carolina reported approximately 251,638 traffic crashes were reported, of which almost 124,000 people were injured. This was an increase of 11.1% from the previous year,  according to the North Carolina 2015 Traffic Crash Facts, put out by the NCDOT. Delayed Onset of Symptoms Drivers and passengers often display obvious signs of injury after severe automobile accidents, but sometimes individuals involved in traffic crashes do not exhibit these symptoms until hours or days later. If you have been involved in a major or minor traffic crash, you should be aware that an injury could have occurred for which you are not yet symptomatic.   It is common that an accident victim thinks they are uninjured at the time of the crash, [...]

How to Get Your Lost Wages Covered After an Accident.     

After a severe accident and disabling injury, you will likely have medical bills that need to be paid, as well as damage to your vehicle for which you’ll be seeking compensation for.   If you were employed at the time of the accident, you can also make a lost wage claim to get compensated for the work you missed, due to your inability to perform your normal job.  It is not uncommon for someone to miss a day or even a week of work following an accident, but what if its several weeks, or more?  Some individuals will have sick pay or vacation days to draw from, but an experienced personal injury lawyer can help make sure that those responsible for your crash are held accountable.  Necessary Lost Wage Documentation In order for you to [...]

Delayed Injury Symptoms After an Accident

In 2015, the NCDOT reported that 251,638 traffic accidents occurred in North Carolina, of which 123,589 people were injured.   This is an 11% increase from the previous year.    In some accidents, injuries sustained by drivers and passengers are obvious, and their symptoms are evident right away.  However, in some cases, notably sprains and strains of the neck and back (classified as soft tissue injuries), symptoms and issues can arise over hours or even days, and may not be evident at the accident scene.    Be mindful after an accident A car accident, even if it seems minor in nature, can have delayed onset of symptoms and injuries, and you’ll want to be careful how you proceed from the time of the accident.  If you think it[...]

How Do I Get a Rental Car After My Car Accident?

After a car accident, it is likely that your vehicle is damaged or totaled and that you find yourself in need of a rental car, so that you can manage your daily obligations.   If your vehicle is unable to be driven, you’re probably wondering who is responsible for paying for your rental car? When is the insurance company is going to pay for your repairs?  If your car is totaled, when are they going to send you a check so you can buy a new car? Rental Cars and Insurance First things first, check your auto insurance policy and see if your insurance provides rental car coverage.   This is included in some policies, and an optional add-on for other policies that provides you a rental car for use after an accident, if your vehicle is[...]

What Documents Do I Need to Build a Case for My Insurance Claim?

They key to making sure you’re properly compensated for an accident claim with an auto insurance is being organized, and having all of the necessary documentation in its place. In order to demonstrate to an insurance adjuster that your accident happened, and that your injuries are legitimate, you will need to provide certain pieces of information and documentation.  Without some of this information, and insurance company can and will poke holes in your claim and find ways to diminish the value of, or deny your claim altogether.   The following are some of the documents you will want to have on hand to submit along with your claim: Accident Report Make sure you get a copy of your North Carolina Accident report that was generated either[...]