Winston-Salem Car Accidents

Motor Vehicle Crash Lawyers Assisting Victims in Winston-Salem

Both the population and the economy of Winston-Salem have been growing steadily in recent years. Generally, this is a good thing. However, as the population nears a quarter of a million people – making it one of the largest cities in North Carolina – there have been challenges as well. Among these is an increasing number of serious and fatal traffic accidents on I-40, I-74, U.S. 52, Highway 421, Highway 311, and other busy roads in and around town. If you have been involved in an auto accident or have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, the experienced Winston-Salem car accident lawyers at Maurer Law are here to serve your family and you as you seek justice and fair compensation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina

A generation ago, drunk drivers posed the biggest threat on the road. Drunk driving accidents accounted for a disproportionate number of wrecks in the 1990s and even the early 2000s. While people who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs still pose a substantial threat to North Carolina drivers, drunk driving is quickly being surpassed by “distracted driving” as a leading cause of accidents. A “distracted” driver is someone who is focusing their attention on something other than the road. Distracting driving has always existed on some level, but the invention of the cell phone has taken the problem to a whole new height. One reason for this is that texting, social media, and cell phone usage are especially high among the youngest, most inexperienced drivers – making a bad situation even worse. You should not hesitate to consult a car accident attorney in the Winston-Salem area to hold a driver accountable for distracted behavior that caused a crash.

Generally, a case arising from a car crash will involve proof that the defendant was negligent. The plaintiff and their attorney will need to show that the defendant breached a duty of care owed to the plaintiff and that, as a direct result, they caused injuries or other harm to the plaintiff. Establishing the particular duty owed to the plaintiff by the defendant is a question of law; it may involve adhering to a certain traffic rule, but it is not always so specific. In a distracted driving case, for example, the “duty” that is typically breached is the duty to keep a proper lookout while driving. Whether or not there was a breach of that duty is usually a factual question in a car accident case. After a crash caused by a texting teenager, for example, the plaintiff may call witnesses who saw the teen on their phone or may subpoena phone records that show that the phone was being used at the time of the accident.

In a typical year, between 1,000 and 1,500 people lose their lives in a car accident in the state of North Carolina. Well over 100,000 more are injured, some seriously or even catastrophically. Fractures, strains and sprains, lacerations, contusions, herniated discs, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and amputations are all possible injuries in a car accident. Medical bills can run to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Crash victims may require emergency room care, diagnostic tests, surgery, and physical therapy. Some may even need follow-up care for the rest of their lives – all because someone else failed to take ordinary precautions behind the wheel.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in the Winston-Salem Area to Assert Your Rights

If you have been hurt by someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for what you have been through. Unfortunately, insurance companies often refuse to admit that their client was at fault; even when liability is admitted, adjusters usually want to settle the case as cheaply as possible. To talk to a seasoned injury lawyer about seeking fair compensation from the party whose negligence caused your harm, call Maurer Law at 888-258-1087 or contact us online. There is no charge for the initial consultation, and most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Our Winston-Salem car accident attorneys get paid a percentage out of the settlement or judgment rather than upfront because we understand the financial hardships that a motor vehicle accident can cause for a victim’s family.