Auto Accidents & Collisions

An auto accident can change your life in the blink of an eye. Whether the other driver was speeding, distracted by their phone, drunk, or simply not following the rules of the road, a moment's carelessness on their part can lead to a lifetime of suffering for you or a loved one. North Carolina law requires the driver who is at fault to pay for the damages, harms, and losses they cause. It is often hard for you to know what those will be in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

The insurance company or companies obligated to pay for your damages, harms and losses will always make that payment as low as possible. They may try to deny that the driver at fault is responsible. If they do try to make a settlement offer, it may seem reasonable to you.But there is a string attached: if you accept the settlement, you cannot go back later and ask for more money, even if you can prove you need it.

That's why you should never, ever accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without talking to an attorney first.

Why You Need an Attorney if You Were Injured in a Car Accident or Collision

If you were hurt in a car accident or collision, your first priority is getting better. You may not have the energy or strength to think about much else. At the same time, you have medical bills piling up, especially if your injury is serious. If you are unable to work, your income will suffer just as those bills start arriving.

It can be very tempting to just accept an insurance settlement check and try to move on. But if you don't know what your rights are, and you don't have the strength to fight for them, you are unlikely to get the amount of money you deserve. That's where the experienced injury attorneys at The Odom Firm can help you. Our auto accident attorneys have the experience and resources to help determine what your future needs will be, and what type of settlement is appropriate. You may be entitled to recover:

• Medical care and treatment expenses
• Future medical care and treatment costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in some cases
• Vehicle and other property damage

Not only do the attorneys of The Odom Firm have the experience to evaluate what damages you may be entitled to recover, they have the legal knowledge and courtroom skills to fight for you. While our attorneys are effective advocates at trial, often, just knowing that you have hired an experienced law firm will motivate an insurance company to make a more generous settlement offer. In fact, most auto accident cases in which the victim has a qualified attorney reach a favorable settlement.

The bottom line is that the insurance company has an attorney looking out for their interests. If you don't have someone looking out for yours, you are at a serious disadvantage.

What To Do If You Are Injured in an Auto Accident or Collision

Obviously, your first priority should be to get medical examination and treatment. Even if you don't think you were seriously injured, you should get checked out; some injuries may not be immediately obvious or appear as serious as they really are.

Your next step should be to consult an experienced North Carolina auto accident attorney. The Odom Firm offers a free consultation and if retained, we do not take an attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Once you have an attorney, you can refer any insurance adjuster who contacts you about the case to your lawyer. We will contact your medical providers regarding your medical bills and begin to make this process easier for you.

What not to do after an accident is just as important as what to do: do not give any statements, sign any documents, or even discuss the accident with an insurance adjuster. Even a casual comment could later be used against you in court.

What To Do If Your Loved One Is Killed in an Auto Accident or Collision

If your loved one was killed in an auto accident or collision in which they were not at fault, you may need to seek legal assistance. You may be entitled to recover money for their medical care, pain and suffering, the loss of their income and companionship, and depending on the circumstances, punitive damages. The attorneys at The Odom Firm handle wrongful death cases and our attorneys will be there for you throughout this very painful process.

Hire an Experienced Charlotte Auto Accident Attorney

The attorneys of The Odom Firm work with clients injured in accidents involving automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles, as well as survivors of individuals killed in traffic accidents. We are committed to helping our clients put their lives back together the way they were before the accident.

The firm represents clients in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina, including: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, and Statesville. We invite you to call our Charlotte office at 704-377-7333 to schedule a consultation, or contact us using our online form. We look forward to working with you.