Discuss Your Claim with Experienced Washington, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Today 

Vehicle accidents are not uncommon in and around the Washington, North Carolina area. As our residents know, our town is known as “The Original Washington,” and it holds a special place in the heart of the nearly 10,000 residents here. At the Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we are standing by to help if you need assistance from a Washington, NC car accident attorney. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, we will use our resources to fully investigate your claim to help secure the compensation you need. 

There are plenty of major thoroughfares running through Washington, NC, the seat of Beaufort County. This includes Pactolus Highway (US Route 264) and US Route 17, which brings plenty of traffic right through town. Additionally, NC Route 22 runs East and West through Washington. With local and out-of-area traffic mingling, accidents are not uncommon. 

Why Choose the Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers for Your Case?

• At the Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our attorneys believe that injury victims should always be able to hold at-fault parties accountable so that they can receive the compensation they need.
• Our team offers 100% free case evaluations so that injury victims can be comfortable approaching us without worrying about losing any money.
• We focus on providing a client-centered approach to every case, which means that we focus on the individual goals and needs of each client. 

Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Washington, NC?

Vehicle accidents are not uncommon in and around the Washington, North Carolina area. The reality is that most vehicle accidents result in relatively minor injuries or only property damage. However, it is not uncommon for victims of car accidents in this area to sustain severe injuries that can completely alter their lives. At the Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients who have sustained the following injuries: 

• Broken and dislocated bones
• Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
• Other severe back or neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Open head wounds
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding 
• Crush injuries or amputations

Additionally, our attorneys also understand that car accidents can lead to significant emotional and psychological trauma for those involved. That is why we strive to help clients recover compensation for any of their physical injuries as well as hidden emotional and psychological injuries. 

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, we can see that there were more than 285,000 total vehicle collisions across the state during the latest year of data we have available. Out of these incidents, 1,470 people lost their lives and more than 125 thousand people were injured. When we look at data specifically focusing on Washington, North Carolina, we can see that there were 333 total collisions that resulted in 160 injuries and two fatalities. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Washington, NC

Accidents that occur in and around Washington, North Carolina, have a variety of causes. In general, we often find that accidents are caused by the negligence of one or more drivers on the roadway. This can include various types of driver negligence, such as:

• Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Driving while distracted by phones or other devices
• Operating too fast for conditions
• Failing to yield the right of way 
• Following other drivers too closely
• Improper turns 
• Improper lane changes

Additionally, we also know that there are times when accidents are caused by parties other than drivers on the roadway. It is not uncommon for accidents to be caused by the negligence of construction companies, subcontractors, or even municipal agencies in charge of roadway inspection and maintenance. These parties may share some fault in accidents if they:

• Fail to warn motorists about roadway construction
• Improperly signal detours
• Fail to regularly inspect or maintain the roadway
• Do not properly design or construct the roadway 
• Fail to maintain or repair traffic signs and signals

It is crucial that any car accident injury victim in Washington, North Carolina, work with a skilled attorney who has the resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. It is important to uncover all possible liable parties in order to properly file a claim and recover the compensation that victims need. 

Time Frame to File a Car Accident Claim

Vehicle accident victims in Washington, North Carolina, need to know that they have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in order to recover the compensation they are entitled to. The PERSONAL INJURY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN NC is three years from the date the accident occurs. This gives car accident victims a three-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party in the case. Failing to file lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they need.

We do want to point out that insurance carriers involved in these cases also have their own deadlines, and they are very strict about reporting accidents soon after they occur. Failing to promptly file a claim with insurance carriers could result in the carrier denying the claim altogether or significantly delaying the claim. Car accident claims adjusters will be looking for any reason to pay less money in a settlement, so it is important to not let them use the excuse that the claim “wasn’t filed fast enough.” 

How can You Afford an Attorney?

Car accident victims in Washington often think that they cannot afford an attorney to help with their case. That is why the attorneys at the Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers take Washington car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients will not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs for their case. Our clients will only owe us legal fees after we successfully recover the compensation they deserve through a favorable settlement or jury verdict. This type of fee arrangement helps ensure that injury victims, regardless of their financial status, are able to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers and at-fault parties.