Helping victims and their families
An auto accident can change your life, or the life of a loved one, forever.
In 2014, more than 2.3 million people were injured in car wrecks and other traffic accidents in the United States. More than 32,000 people were killed. Hundreds of thousands suffered catastrophic personal injuries, including paralysis, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other head injury.
Auto accidents can lead to short-term and long-term disability, leaving victims unable to work and suffering from pain and medical problems. According to the federal government, “There is considerable evidence to indicate that the most serious injuries are not adequately covered by insurance. … The loss in wages resulting from serious injury can be catastrophic to the victim’s economic wellbeing in addition to their physical and emotional condition.”*
All of us — whether we drive in cars, bike, ride motorcycles or ride in vehicles driven by others — are vulnerable to car accidents and the catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful deaths that can result.
Insurance companies may seek to minimize their financial liability, even if that means you or your family members aren’t fairly compensated.
In addition to medical decisions that arise with severe personal injuries, victims and their families also face other tricky, stressful questions:
- What if I can’t work because of injuries from the accident?
- What if I need to take time off work to care for a loved one, deal with insurance issues and get the car repaired?
- Who’s responsible for my medical bills? What if my insurance won’t cover all the costs?
- Should I sign the paperwork the insurance company is asking me to? What happens to my legal rights if I do sign? If I refuse to sign, what happens then?
An experienced auto accident lawyer can help. Ward and Smith’s personal injury attorneys have guided many clients through these questions, and they can help you, too. Our lawyers are determined, knowledgeable advocates who will put you and your family first.
When working with accident victims, our lawyers have one goal: Ensure you receive all the compensation and assistance you are legally entitled to. Insurance companies have lawyers, shouldn’t you?
We can’t reverse the effects of a serious accident, but we’ll do everything possible to make sure you’re treated fairly and properly compensated.
Experience counts
Our lawyers have extensive knowledge of auto accident law. They’ve also handled many related types of accidents, including bicycle and motorcycle accidents, drunk driving, cases involving pedestrians and more.
The legal aftermath of a serious car accident can be complicated. And navigating the legal system while also dealing with the medical and emotional fallout from an accident can be overwhelming. Our lawyers will guide you through the system, working to achieve the best possible outcome.
Insurance companies often will settle before a case reaches trial. However, if a settlement that’s fair to you and your family can’t be reached, our attorneys will take your case all the way through trial.
Our team approach ensures there’s always a skilled attorney ready to answer your questions and move your case forward. Ward and Smith’s legal team is backed up by licensed paralegals, certified litigation technology specialists and other support staff. They frequently travel to meet clients in person, taking on cases across North Carolina.
While it’s impossible to undo the effects of a serious auto wreck, a skilled auto accident lawyer may be your best chance of getting appropriate compensation to pay for medical costs, damages to your vehicle, disability and lost wages and more.
If you or a loved has been in an accident, please don’t sign documents from insurance companies without consulting an attorney who has your best interests in mind.
* The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010 (Revised). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, page 8.
Automobile Accidents Representative Experience
Past results are no guarantee of future results. The summaries are not intended to indicate or guarantee that any of the same or similar results can be achieved in future matters; the outcome of a matter depends upon a number of factors. These summaries are intended only to provide general information about the experience of our attorneys. Summaries are drawn from 1992 through the present.
