AI Insights Key Takeaways
- You generally have 3 years from the crash to file a car accident injury lawsuit in North Carolina (2 years for wrongful death).
- North Carolina's pure contributory negligence rule can bar recovery if you're found even partly at fault, so what you say to insurers matters.
- Schehr Law PLLC handles Charlotte highway accident cases on contingency, no fee unless we win.
General information, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to an attorney about yours.
Charlotte Interstate Accident Attorney Handling Complex Cases
Collisions that occur on highways are particularly hazardous due to factors like high speeds and heavy traffic. When you have sustained injuries in a highway accident, the last thing you need is the stress of a legal battle on top of your physical injuries and their financial consequences. Let a seasoned highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, handle the legal process for you.
Schehr Law PLLC will advocate for the maximum amount of compensation available while ensuring your claim never distracts you from working toward recovery. Contact us today, and let us bring our skills and experience to your legal claim.
Highway Accidents in Charlotte, NC
As the most highly populated city in North Carolina and the 15th most populated city in the U.S., Charlotte’s roads host traffic from residents, commuting workers, tourists, and other travelers. When collisions occur on these highways, the consequences can be life-altering.
Accident Risk Factors on NC Highways
Certain aspects of highway driving can either make accidents more likely or increase their severity compared to accidents on city streets and residential roads. These aspects include:
- Higher speed limits
- More traffic, including numerous tractor-trailers making long-distance cargo deliveries
- Frequent lane changes and merges
- Highway hypnosis and other forms of driver distraction on long trips
- Out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with the route and traffic pattern
- Toll booths and electronic tolling lanes that may require drivers to slow, stop, merge, or change lanes
If an accident occurs on a highway, getting out of the path of traffic to avoid any further harm or subsequent crashes can be more difficult.
Virtually all types of accidents, from rear-end collisions to sideswipe accidents, are likely to cause more damage when the cars involved are moving at greater speeds. That’s one reason it’s particularly important to hire a knowledgeable highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, to assist you with your claim. We’re familiar with the full range of damages that serious and even catastrophic injuries can cause, so we’re prepared to pursue every dollar of compensation you’re entitled to.
Highways in the Charlotte, NC, Region
Highways in the region range from major interstate freeways to smaller state highways and routes. Numerous highways pass through the city itself and the surrounding areas, including:
- Interstate Highway I-40
- Interstate Highway I-77
- Interstate Highway I-85
- Interstate Highway I-277 (encompassing both the John Belk Freeway and the Brookshire Freeway)
- Interstate Highway I-485
- US Route 21, 29, 52, 70, 74 (including the Monroe Connector/Bypass), 321, and 601
- North Carolina Highways 16, 18, 24, 27, 51, 73, 150, and 160
- North Carolina/South Carolina Highway 49
- South Carolina Highways 5 and 9
- Charlotte Route 4 (including Billy Graham Parkway) and Independence Boulevard
Our team has a longstanding commitment to the Charlotte region and was even named among the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Charlotte in 2021 by expertise.com, so we understand both the local legal landscape and the local traffic landscape. This understanding is critical when you’re looking for a Charlotte interstate accident attorney who can efficiently investigate your accident, build a strong claim, and pursue the compensation to make you financially whole.
Why Charlotte Highway Crashes Are Different
Wrecks on I-77, I-85, I-485, and the other high-speed corridors around Charlotte tend to be more severe and more complicated than city-street collisions. Higher speeds mean greater force and worse injuries, and interstate pile-ups can involve many vehicles, which makes sorting out fault difficult. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol typically investigates interstate crashes, and that report, along with scene evidence and vehicle data, becomes central to your claim. When a commercial truck is involved, federal motor-carrier rules add another layer. Because North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule can bar recovery for a driver found even slightly at fault, careful investigation is critical.
What to Do After a Highway Crash in Charlotte
No matter who was at fault, the steps you take right after the crash protect both your health and your claim. Here is what our Charlotte highway accident attorneys tell clients to do:
- Get to the Shoulder Safely. Then call 911 from a safe spot.
- Accept Medical Care. High speeds mean serious hidden injuries.
- Photograph Everything. All vehicles, debris, and lane positions.
- Identify Every Vehicle. Highway pile-ups can involve many drivers.
- Get the Crash Report. State Highway Patrol works most interstates.
- Talk to a Lawyer First. Multi-car fault can be complex to sort out.
What Not to Do After a Highway Crash
These are the missteps insurers count on, and the ones that most often sink an otherwise strong claim:
- Don’t Admit Fault. Not even a reflexive “I’m sorry.”
- No Recorded Statement. Not to any driver’s insurer.
- Don’t Stand in Traffic Lanes. Secondary crashes are deadly.
- Don’t Take the First Offer. Or sign any release.
- Don’t Skip Treatment. Gaps let adjusters dispute your injuries.
How Schehr Law PLLC Can Help
Recovering the compensation you deserve for serious injuries isn’t always a straightforward task. Obstacles like claim disputes and denials often occur. Even if your case proceeds smoothly, the claims process can be demanding, requiring extensive paperwork, documentation, and knowledge of legal deadlines and procedural requirements.
Handling a highway accident injury claim isn’t a process you should try to undertake on your own. The assistance of a highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, at Schehr Law PLLC is invaluable in getting maximum compensation without the hassle of managing a legal claim yourself.
Types of Highway Accident Claims We Can Assist You With
A variety of motor vehicle accidents occur on North Carolina’s highways. As an experienced highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, Schehr Law PLLC can assist injured victims with all types of freeway collisions, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents, including accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles
- Pedestrian accidents, including accidents that occur while an individual is changing a tire or working under the hood of a car pulled over on the shoulder
Our team’s comprehensive knowledge of motor vehicle accident law works in your favor, helping us navigate the entire claims process and prepare your case for success.
Our Approach to Handling Your Claim
When approaching any type of highway accident claim, our team follows a proven process that includes the following:
- Initial consultation and case evaluation
- Thorough investigation
- Painstaking case preparation
- Documentation of your damages
- Claims filing and paperwork
- Representation in all legal proceedings
- Settlement negotiations
- Preparation for court, if taking your case to trial is the best option for securing the compensation you deserve
- Claim resolution, including negotiating down any medical bills we can so that you get to keep more of your money
Through our thorough approach and relentless advocacy, we’re able to build a strong case for compensation for you and secure the maximum payout available in your circumstances.
Why Choose Schehr Law PLLC
Choosing Schehr Law PLLC as your Charlotte interstate accident attorney means you have the benefit of our caring client service, dedication to getting results, and No Fee Guarantee.
Unrivaled Care for Our Clients
At Schehr Law PLLC, you’re more than a case number. We recognize how difficult life after a highway accident can be, and we’re committed to providing the compassionate service you deserve. We give each case personalized attention and focus on your individual needs.
Results Achieved Through Relentless Advocacy
Getting full compensation for highway accident injuries requires a tireless commitment to your best interests. We know there’s a lot at stake: the money your family needs to afford the best medical care, your financial security, and, in many cases, closure. That’s why we advocate relentlessly for our clients. Since our firm’s founding in 2020, we have recovered more than $10 million to compensate our clients.
Quality Legal Assistance at No Upfront Cost
Our No Fee Guarantee ensures that highway accident victims never have to worry about whether they can afford professional legal assistance. Not only is the initial consultation free, but Schehr Law PLLC handles personal injury claims on a contingency basis, so you’ll never have to pay upfront for our services. We’re here to relieve the burdens that result from an accident, not add to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a highway accident?
After a highway accident, it’s essential that you get to safety. If you remain in the path of traffic (whether inside your vehicle or outside it), a subsequent collision could occur, leading to even more extensive damage.Report the accident to the authorities and request emergency medical assistance. If you’re not sure whether the location of your accident falls under the jurisdiction of a local police department or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, you can always start by calling 911 for emergency assistance.As you wait for the first responders, document the accident scene to the best of your ability by taking notes, photographs, and videos. In addition to exchanging information with any motorist involved in the accident, ask any witnesses for their contact information and statements.Get checked out, first by emergency responders and then by a physician or other healthcare professional at a hospital or medical facility. It’s important to undergo a thorough medical exam promptly to ensure you are receiving the care you need and documenting the extent of your injuries.You need to report the accident to your auto insurer, if applicable, but it’s wise to consult a Charlotte interstate accident attorney first. Interactions with the insurance companies, even your own, aren’t without risk. Your attorney can advise you on how to avoid common mistakes or even handle these interactions on your behalf. This early consultation with a highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, also allows for a timely beginning to preparing your claim for compensation.
What are most highway accidents caused by?
Highway accidents in North Carolina most commonly result from some form of driver error, often arising out of negligence. Examples of common causes of highway accidents include:Distracted drivingDrunk drivingDrowsy drivingSpeedingTailgatingReckless drivingRoad rage and aggressive drivingFailure to adapt driving practices to road or weather conditionsAdditional causes of highway accidents include vehicle malfunctions and unsafe road conditions.
Who can you pursue a claim against for injuries from a highway accident?
In a highway accident caused by a negligent driver, you would generally have a claim against the driver. You might also have grounds to seek compensation from other parties involved. If the car was borrowed, you might have a claim against its owner. If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, you may have a claim against their employer.At times, other negligent parties besides drivers can cause or contribute to accidents. For example, in the case of vehicle malfunctions, you might be able to seek financial compensation from the manufacturer of a defective vehicle or component through a product liability claim. In instances involving dangerous road conditions, such as missing guardrails and unclear signage, you may have a case against a government entity that is responsible for maintaining the highway in safe condition.
What injuries are common in highway accidents?
Highway accidents can cause all of the same types of injuries that occur in motor vehicle accidents on city streets or residential roads. However, the high speeds and increased traffic found on highways mean these accidents more often result in severe injuries. Examples of the types of injuries for which you should consult a highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, include whiplash, broken bones, herniated discs, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage.
Talk to a Highway Accident Lawyer Today
Effective legal representation can put you on the path to maximum compensation while ensuring the details of the claim don’t distract you from the road to recovery. For help from an experienced highway accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, contact us today or call (704) 900-0336.