Smithfield Car Accident Lawyers

Smithfield Car Accident Attorneys

Who Care About Your Claim and Its Favorable Resolution

In 2019, the estimated population of Smithfield, NC, was 12,985. It might be small, but Smithfield often becomes a bustling city for residents and tourists. It’s home to the Ava Gardner Museum and sits next to the Neuse River. It’s here that visitors will find the annual Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival, enjoy leisurely walks along the Buffalo Creek Greenway, and see the sights in the historic downtown district. When traffic increases in this city, so does the risk of accidents. 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports that in 2019 alone, Smithfield had 494 reported traffic accidents. These accidents involved one fatality and 215 injuries. Car accident injuries can be severe, life-altering, and even deadly. At Ricci Law Firm, our Smithfield car accident attorneys are here to help if you or a loved one were recently in a motor vehicle collision. 

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents arise from many factors and can occur in several different ways. Knowing how the accident happened and what type of accident occurred can help your Smithfield car accident lawyers determine whom you should seek compensation from. It can also help your treating physicians know what kind of injuries they should look for when diagnosing you. 

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous types of accidents to be involved in. They typically happen when one vehicle is traveling the wrong way on a one-way road, causing the driver to collide with another driver who was going the correct way. Unfortunately, given their nature, these accidents are often unavoidable, especially at high speeds.

Roll Over Accidents

Roll over accidents can happen to any vehicle but are more likely to happen to an SUV or a van. The vehicle flips onto its side, lands on its roof, or even rolls multiple times before coming to a resting point. Occupants, especially those without seatbelts, can be ejected from the vehicle, increasing the risk of fatalities. 

T-Bone Collisions

When one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another, a T-bone accident occurs. These are also quite traumatic and more likely to be deadly than many other types of accidents. More often than not, it’s the driver’s side of the car that sustains the impact, causing broken bones, concussions, and even fatal injuries. 

Side-Impact Crashes

Similar to T-bone collisions, side-impact crashes occur when one car broadsides another with its front end. It’s common for these crashes to occur at intersections. However, no matter where they occur, they are risky.

Multiple Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving three or more vehicles usually occur due to a chain of several events. These potentially massive pileups can lead to severe injuries and sometimes fatalities. They are complex when it comes to determining liability, making it a good idea for those injured in one to have the representation of experienced Smithfield car accident attorneys.

Sideswipe Collisions

Driving right next to other vehicles is risky yet unavoidable with the way roads are designed. If a driver next to you becomes distracted in any way or tries to change lanes without seeing you, the results could be disastrous. Sideswipe collisions can cause minor cosmetic damage to your vehicle and nothing else. Or, they can lead to several other types of accidents and serious injuries.

Single Car Accident

While a single-car accident only involves one vehicle, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it was the fault of its driver. Sometimes single-car vehicle accidents happen due to the actions of another vehicle or an animal on or near the road. Even if you’re accident is a single-vehicle one, you should still contact Smithfield car accident lawyers to find out what your legal rights and options are.

Negligence and Liability in Your Car Accident

One of the most critical aspects of an injury claim is being able to prove liability. To receive and maximize your compensation, you or your Smithfield car accident attorneys have to establish that the party you are seeking recovery from is the party who is legally responsible for your injuries. 

Typically, this is done by proving that the at-fault party was negligent. Negligence is the failure to act in a way that another reasonable person in similar circumstances would have acted. When someone is negligent or careless, and they cause an accident that ends in injuries, they can be held liable. 

Often, traffic laws are used to help establish liability, as is common sense. It’s against the law to run a red light, so it’s easy to prove that anyone who does is acting negligently. It’s also not prudent to reach into the back of your car while driving on the interstate or speed up when a traffic light turns yellow. 

However, proving liability isn’t the only task for your Smithfield car accident lawyers. Once they establish who is liable for your injuries, they must also show that you have injuries and compensable damages. Usually, this can be done with medical records and medical receipts, and bills. There must be a solid and convincing link between the at-fault party’s actions and your injuries and damages. 

It’s quite common for the at-fault party’s insurance company to try to paint you as the liable party, at least to some extent. They might attempt to say that your injuries resulted from another event after the accident, that they aren’t that bad, or that they are related to a pre-existing condition you have. With Smithfield car accident attorneys fiercely advocating on your behalf, you won’t have to worry about what tricks the insurance company might try.

Call Smithfield Car Accident Attorneys to Schedule Your Complimentary Legal Consultation

After being injured in a car accident, it’s time to put yourself first. You need to focus on your physical and financial recovery, and our Smithfield car accident lawyers will help you do just that. At the Ricci Law Firm, we will handle your car accident claim while you focus on getting the medical attention and recovery time you need. Call us at (252) 777-2222 or use our online contact form to schedule your complimentary consultation today.