Car Accidents

March 22, 2021

Teen Driver Injured After Fleeing Stolen Vehicle Crash in North Carolina

Teen drivers are one of the riskiest demographics of motorists. Due to their lack of experience on the road, they often lack the ability to respond to certain situations in a safe manner. Teen drivers also have a tendency to engage in unsafe driving practices like texting while driving, talking to passengers, surfing social media, or drunk driving. If you were involved in an accident with a teen driver, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries and damages. A Raleigh car accident lawyer can assist you with evaluating your situation and determining whether you should pursue compensation.

Recently, a teen driver who was suspected of stealing a vehicle was apprehended when the vehicle crashed, and they attempted to flee. According to local reports, the car was still moving when the teen exited the vehicle and attempted to evade authorities. As he ran, the vehicle ended up striking him and causing him injuries. Police are still investigating the situation. Fortunately, no other pedestrians or motorists were injured as part of the incident.

If you were hurt in an accident involving a teen driver, you can bring a claim against them to recover compensation. If the teen is still a minor, their parent or guardian may be involved in the action as their legal representative. In the lawsuit, you will need to show that the teen driver failed to use reasonable care and skill at the time of the accident. Because a reasonable driver would not steal a vehicle and attempt to flee from the police, the recent news story is a good example of negligent driving.

February 14, 2021

Charlotte, NC – Tractor-Trailer Crash Causes Injuries on I-77

by Maurer Law

Charlotte, NC (February 13, 2021) – At 12:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, February 11, a car accident took place on a busy highway in the greater Charlotte area. Continue reading

January 4, 2021

Charlotte, NC – Car Accident at W Sugar Creek Rd & David Cox Rd

by Maurer Law

Charlotte, NC (January 3, 2021) – Around 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Sunday, January 3, a car accident occurred at an intersection in Charlotte. Continue reading

December 24, 2020

Charlotte, NC – Driver Critically Injured in Double Collision on I-85

by Maurer Law

Charlotte, NC (December 24, 2020) – North Carolina State Troopers are searching for a dump truck operator who fled the scene of a double accident on Interstate 85 on Wednesday, December 23rd in Charlotte.

According to the Highway Patrol, the initial collision took place in the southbound lanes of I-85 near the exit ramp for Brookshire Freeway at about 7:30 a.m. when the driver of a Toyota Corolla was sideswiped by a red dump truck, causing both vehicles to pull into the lefthand shoulder.

While the Corolla was stopped on the shoulder it was rear-ended by a pick-up truck driving in the lefthand lane. Troopers stated that the pick-up was going about 60 miles per hour when it collided with the parked Corolla. The pick-up driver has been charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision and reckless driving.

November 19, 2020

Charlotte, NC – Child Severely Injured in Car Crash Following Pursuit on NC-16

by Maurer Law

Charlotte, NC (November 19, 2020) – Around 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday night, November 17, a child and numerous other victims were injured in a Charlotte car crash. Continue reading

March 20, 2020

North Carolina Appellate Court Dismisses Appeal as Premature in Rear-End Car Accident Case

by Maurer Law

When you are injured in a car accident, you can bring a personal injury claim against the driver of the vehicle that caused the crash. This may seem like a fairly straightforward process, but lawsuits can be incredibly complicated. The North Carolina civil court system also has countless procedural rules that must be followed in order for you to receive compensation. One of the best things you can do to protect your rights following a personal injury accident is to seek guidance from an experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer. At Maurer Law, our team has assisted numerous individuals with understanding their rights and the best way to proceed after an accident.

Recently, the North Carolina Court of Appeal considered whether the trial court made a reversible error when it granted a motion for a new trial in a case involving a car accident. The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleged that he was rear-ended by the defendant while his car was stopped at a red light. The jury concluded that the defendant was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries and awarded $500 in damages. The plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial on the issue of damages. More specifically, the plaintiff challenged statements made to the jury asking it to consider the financial impact of a verdict on the defendant’s finances and statements indicating that the defendant did not have liability insurance to assist with paying a judgment. The court granted the motion for a new trial and the defendant appealed.

Before the appellate court can review the merits of an appeal, however, it must first determine whether it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal. The defendant in this case acknowledged that his appeal was interlocutory. This means that it was an appeal coming before a final disposition in the case. The appellate court noted that because the motion for a new trial only granted a new trial on the issue of damages, it was not appealable. N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 7A-27(b)(3) specifically provides that motions granting partial new trials are not eligible for appeal.

December 9, 2019

North Carolina Appellate Court Discusses UIM Coverage in Accidents Involving Multiple At-Fault Parties

by Maurer Law

Insurance issues often arise in motor vehicle accidents especially when multiple drivers, vehicles, and victims are involved in the crash. While you are dealing with your injuries and trying to handle the stress and disruption that the accident has caused in your life, the last thing you probably want to handle is an insurance claim and negotiation process. At Maurer Law, our seasoned team of Charlotte car accident lawyers is prepared to assist you with ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout this process. Contact us immediately to learn about your potential right to recovery.

A North Carolina appellate opinion provides an example of a common insurance dispute that can arise following a personal injury accident. The main issue in the case involved accidents where there is more than one at-fault driver. The court was asked to decide whether the injured party was required to exhaust only one liability insurance coverage of one of the at-fault motorists in order to trigger the insurer’s obligation to provide underinsured motorist benefits.

In the accident, a truck driver lost control of his vehicle while traveling on a freeway causing it to strike the median barrier and flip. A volunteer firefighter responded to the scene and found that the driver was injured, and that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The firefighter was later struck by a vehicle that swerved in an attempt to avoid colliding with another vehicle that has slowed suddenly as it approached the area where the accident took place. The firefighter was dragged beneath the vehicle, sustaining severe injuries including broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries.

August 30, 2019

North Carolina Appellate Court Issues Decision in UIM Dispute Involving Fatality

by Maurer Law

As Asheville car accident lawyers, we often handle cases involving complex insurance policies and questions about whether coverage will be provided for an accident. If you have severe injuries following a crash that wasn’t your fault, you probably also have severe medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the accident. In addition to helping you assert your right to compensation from the driver who injured you, we are prepared to help you ensure that insurance companies treat you and your family fairly during this challenging time.

A recent case from the North Carolina Court of Appeal highlights some of the key aspects of knowing your rights in an insurance policy dispute. The plaintiff in the case filed a declaratory judgment action to determine the extent of the plaintiff’s liability to the defendant for an automobile accident in which the defendant was injured and his wife was killed. The decedent had an insurance policy that provided underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in the amount of $100,000 per person or $300,000 per accident. The other driver involved in the accident had an insurance policy providing coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

The other driver’s insurer tendered the full policy limits of $100,000 per accident divided among the four parties in the accident. The decedent’s insurer paid the surviving husband $68,000, which represented the $100,000 policy limit minus the amount he received from the other driver’s insurer. It also paid a sum to the decedent’s estate. The surviving husband argued in court that he was entitled to receive UIM policy limits. The husband ultimately won this argument and the insurer appealed.

January 3, 2018

North Carolina Man Unable to Recover Damages Due to Contributory Negligence

by Maurer Law

In a recent North Carolina appellate decision, a personal injury plaintiff appealed a summary judgment motion granted in favor of the defendant. The North Carolina car accident case arose when the plaintiff was driving a truck east early one evening. The plaintiff’s father was riding in the truck with him. Only a quarter mile from their home, they saw a tree had fallen and was blocking traffic in both lanes. The branches of the tree held the trunk about five feet above the road.

The plaintiff’s father asked him to slow down, and he stopped at most 40 feet from the tree. The father turned the hazard lights on and called his mother to ask her to bring a chainsaw, so he could remove the tree. He also told the plaintiff to get across the tree and try to slow cars down while waiting for the mom to arrive. The plaintiff climbed onto the top of the tree and asked his dad for gloves because he’d gotten pinesap on his hands.

The plaintiff stood on the tree and waved his arms at a car that was approaching. The father would later testify he never got down from the tree and was acting like a teenager because he thought the other driver would stop. The father told him to jump down, but when the plaintiff tried to jump, his pants caught on a tree limb.

December 27, 2017

Failure to Serve Correct Defendant and Vicarious Liability in Car Accident in North Carolina

by Maurer Law

A recent North Carolina car crash case arose from a car accident in 2012, involving the plaintiff and the defendants’ cars. The car driven by one defendant was owned by another person, and the only allegation of negligence in the complaint was based on vicarious liability. The investigating officer prepared an accident report that listed the defendant driver’s address, but it didn’t indicate whether the defendant driver had a suffix in his name.

The plaintiff sued, claiming negligence by the defendant driver and alleging that this caused her injuries. The complaint also alleged another defendant owned a car driven by the defendant at the time of the accident. The complaint alleged the correct owner of the car and stated she was also liable to the plaintiff for her injuries. The court issued a summons.

The plaintiff filed an affidavit of service, claiming that service had been completed by mailing a complaint and civil summons to the defendant driver at his address by certified mail with a return receipt requested. Someone had printed the name “Phillip Park Ja” or “Phillip Parker Jr.” on the form.