Asheville drivers who have entered blind curves on the mountainous road will tell you… Beware of oncoming cars, SUVs, and trucks. These motorists are not guaranteed to stay on their sides of the lanes. In the case of a big rig, there’s not even a guarantee the vehicle can fit in the narrow mountain lane.
Accidents on mountain roads are unfortunately common in Buncombe County. Some of them cause major damage and very serious injuries. If a careless driver on a mountain road leaves you or a loved one injured, please contact Melrose Law of Asheville.
We offer a free case consultation to all injured victims and their family members. It’s a no-risk way to find out how to hold a reckless driver responsible and how to get full support for your recovery.
Dangers of Mountain Driving in Asheville
Many would agree that driving in Asheville provides plenty of normal city hazards. Motorists on downtown streets often go too fast and race around too aggressively. But Asheville also adds in a heavy dose of challenging mountain driving to the mix. These roads can hang off the side of a cliff, feature looping curves, and even include some hilly sections of major routes like I-26.
The hills and limited road space lead to steep downgrades on narrow roads. Asheville roads like U.S. 19E add extra natural hazards and weather dangers. To follow a mountain path, transportation officials have also had to put roads along steep drop-offs and mirror winding valleys with tight curves.
If people slowed down and took their time, these roads would be no more dangerous than any other routes. Unfortunately, drivers get reckless on corkscrew curves. They can be texting instead of watching the yellow line. They may go too fast to be able to stop for sightseers along the road.
Why Do So Many Accidents Happen on Asheville’s Mountain Roads?
These are just some of the most common dangers when traveling through the WNC mountains:
- Snow and ice make roads slippery
- Wet pavement and tight curves
- Inexperienced drivers and people used to flat, straight roads
- Speeding into mountain curves
- Drivers not watching the road
- Drivers staring at cellphones
- Not watching out for fallen trees, rockslides, animal crossings, or stopped traffic
- Allowing tires and brakes to wear out
- Truck drivers and delivery drivers not being careful
Sadly, many of the victims receive long-term injuries, but don’t receive the support they need to rebuild their health. In large part, it’s because car insurance companies have their tried and true tactics that limit the support that victims receive.
It’s often necessary for patients left with serious injuries caused by another driver to seek legal representation to help confront giant insurance companies. When victims have a serious injury, a skilled lawyer can often secure much more for patients. This is usually substantially more than they could win for themselves.
What Type of Evidence Will I Need to Hold a Car Insurance Company Accountable?
After an accident on a mountain highway or back road, it may be up to you to collect the evidence necessary to pin the blame on the at-fault driver and earn injury support. In some remote parts of Asheville and WNC, a police officer or NC State Highway Patrol Officer (NCSHP) may be too busy to respond to your crash.
It may fall to you to gather up as much proof of what happened as possible. See to your safety first, and then try to complete these steps in the moments after a crash and the days that follow.
- Contact 911 and get an ambulance on the way if anyone is hurt. Let paramedics check out every pain you have and go to the emergency room if necessary.
- Gather Evidence on the Scene. Get photos of everything that pertains to what happened. Show the damage to vehicles, skid marks, and damage done to any property nearby. Get witness contact information and get the information of any driver involved.
- Gather Documents. If you don’t have an attorney handling your case, you may need to get a copy of the accident report that the responding officer prepares. Request a copy from the Asheville Police Department or the NCSHP. If you meet with a lawyer, it’s a good idea to bring this evidence along. You can also bring medical receipts. Paystubs are a good way to show how much you’ve forfeited by missing work while injured.
- Accident Reconstruction Teams. Melrose Law of Asheville works with accident reconstruction teams on many cases. They can reconstruct the scene and simulate the accident to offer powerful computer evidence of what occurred.
- Surveillance Video. Your Asheville Car Accident Lawyer will also be checking to see if any nearby cameras on businesses or homes caught what occurred. A dash cam of a passing vehicle may also have captured the crash. Your lawyer would request all of this footage before it got erased.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a mountain car accident settlement check?
An insurance settlement check should include money to pay all of your current medical bills, and any healthcare expenses that are expected in the future. Victims should be reimbursed for any income they lose while having to miss work due to injury. Patients should also seek additional money for the pain they’ve suffered and the emotional trauma an impact and injury leave behind. Families can also ask for support after a loved one has been killed in an accident. If you or your family aren’t receiving these benefits and a serious injury is involved, you should speak to a lawyer about how to demand more.
How long do I have to file an Asheville accident claim?
North Carolina allows injured victims to wait up to three years before filing a claim. For a wrongful death case, families would have only two years to file a wrongful death claim. Victims shouldn’t wait years to act, though. After months of delay, evidence can disappear, and witnesses can become hard to locate. Explore your options with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What if I can’t afford to pay an Asheville Mountain Road Accident Attorney?
You don’t need any up-front money to hire excellent legal representation from Western North Carolina. Anyone can afford strong protection from Melrose Law. Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. It means we only get paid if we win your case. If we lose, you don’t owe anything. If we win, our fee actually comes out of the settlement money that an insurance company must pay you.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer After a Collision on an Asheville Road
If you suffer a serious injury in an accident, you may require the help of a skilled attorney to secure the support you need to recover.
Your Melrose Law attorney will fully investigate your car accident and those responsible. The evidence gathered can make a big difference in the outcome of your case and the level of support you and your family receive.
Melrose Law offers a free case consultation to all mountain car accident victims. There’s no obligation for your case review, and your consultation remains completely confidential.
