North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney

How a North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Case

An injury can quickly become an overwhelming part of your life. You may have to deal with financial worries and emotional trauma on top of physical pain and the process of healing. Personal injury claims can give you peace of mind financially, but they may also seem intimidating and confusing. A North Carolina personal injury attorney can take on the complex legal process so you can focus on what matters.

Cases personal injury attorneys can help with include the following:

• North Carolina car accident attorneys can help gather evidence to demonstrate the cause of car crashes and pursue fair compensation.
• North Carolina truck accident attorneys can determine liability in these complex commercial vehicle accidents and seek compensation from all liable parties.
• North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys aid victims after suffering catastrophic injuries in these accidents. They will fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive.

A personal injury attorney doesn’t only file your claim for you; they support you throughout the process. They can:

• Investigate your accident
• Gather evidence to support your claim
• Handle all communications with insurance companies
• Negotiate for a fair settlement
• File any needed appeals
• Represent you in court if necessary

Don’t fight for your legal rights alone. Our law firm partners will be your advocates.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Personal Injury in North Carolina?

Depending on the nature of your accident, you may have serious injuries that impact you for the rest of your life. These injuries may include:

• Broken bones
• Dental damage and fractures of the face
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

When considering a fair settlement, your lawyer’s goal is to see both your current expenses covered and the expenses you expect in the future due to your injuries. Fair compensation may include damages awarded for:

Economic Losses After a Personal Injury in North Carolina

Financial losses could include:

• Medical expenses, including surgeries and physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capabilities
• Property damage
• Long-term care and assistance
• Home modifications
• Mobility aids

Non-Economic Losses Due to a Personal Injury

Non-financial losses may include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Wrongful Death After a Personal Injury in North Carolina

If a loved one passed away after a personal injury, we are so sorry for this devastating loss. Surviving family may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• The loss of their loved one’s financial support
• The loss of their comfort and protection
• Their loved one’s physical pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses

Recovering compensation after someone else has caused you harm is one way to regain control of your life. The Goldwater Law Firm can help. Contact us today.

How Your North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Proves Negligence for Your Case

Personal injury law covers situations where an individual is injured due to the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity. Successfully recovering compensation and obtaining justice after a personal injury in this context requires proving that the liable party acted negligently, which means proving the four elements of negligence.

These four elements are:

• Another party owed you a duty of care. For example, other drivers must act responsibly to keep everyone else on the road safe. That is their duty of care.
• The other party breached the duty of care. For example, they were texting while driving.
• This breach resulted in an accident. For example, while texting, the other driver was distracted and rear-ended your vehicle.
• The breach directly resulted in losses for you. For example, when they rear-ended your car, they caused you to suffer a spinal cord injury, leading to medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress.

Proving the four elements of negligence were met relies on determining who the liable party was and how they breached their duty of care. Your North Carolina injury attorney will investigate the accident to determine these aspects.

Personal Injury Investigations

Your lawyer may:

• Interview Witnesses: For example, in a motorcycle accident, drivers in other vehicles may have witnessed the liable party speeding or running a red light.
• Obtain Surveillance Footage: Traffic cameras, dash cams, and business security cameras can offer clear and unbiased images of the accident. In addition to surveillance footage, other data may be available, such as the data from black boxes in accidents involving commercial trucks.
• Review Documents: Various reports and logs may help determine whether negligence occurred. Police reports, driving records, and maintenance logs can all be vital evidence.
• Analyze Physical Evidence: Physical evidence, such as skid marks and debris, can be instrumental in understanding the dynamics of an accident. For instance, the absence of skid marks can indicate that the driver did not attempt to brake before the collision, providing essential insights into the sequence of events.
• Consult With Experts: Third-party witnesses, such as those specializing in highway safety or accident reconstruction, can explain how an accident was likely to occur.

Understanding How State and Federal Laws Impact Your North Carolina Personal Injury Case

North Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence law, meaning you cannot recover compensation for your injuries if you are even 1% at fault. Insurers may try to use this to their advantage by attempting to blame you for the accident. A personal injury attorney can combat this tactic by gathering evidence that shows another party’s negligence.

Understanding the pure contributory negligence law is crucial, but grasping the statute of limitations is equally essential. This determines the window within which you can seek compensation. In North Carolina, you typically have three years for a personal injury lawsuit or two years for a wrongful death lawsuit.

In addition to this law, there may also be federal laws that impact your case. For example, in truck accident cases, there are federal regulations regarding a truck driver’s hours of service.

Your personal injury lawyer is not just a legal representative but a guide through the maze of federal and state laws. They ensure your case meets all applicable deadlines and legislation, including any federal laws that may impact your case.

What Should You Do If You’ve Had a Personal Injury in North Carolina?

Once medical attention has been sought, you may feel lost about what to do next. Protecting your legal rights is essential, and these steps can help.

Report Your Accident After a Personal Injury in North Carolina

If the police were not called to the accident scene, reporting the incident promptly is crucial. Police reports play a significant role in creating a chain of evidence for your personal injury claim, strengthening your case.

Continue Medical Care After a Personal Injury

It’s important to continue with medical care after a personal injury. Any interruption or delay in treatment affects your health and can also be used by insurers to question the severity of your injuries, potentially undermining your claim.

Avoid Talking to Insurance Companies

When it comes to insurance companies, it’s best to avoid direct communication. Insurance adjusters may try to visit you in the hospital or at home, asking leading questions or trying to get you to admit some fault for the accident. This can be intimidating, but remember, you’re not alone. Your lawyer can handle the insurance company’s questions on your behalf, providing you with the protection and guidance you need during this process.

Contact The Goldwater Law Firm to get started on your case right away. Our co-counsels can help you with key steps after an accident.

Affording a North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer

For many injury victims, the prospect of an accident claim is a beacon of financial relief. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel, especially when dealing with medical bills and lost wages, but adding expense by hiring a lawyer can seem out of reach. However, personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, making legal representation more accessible.

With contingency fees, you only pay your lawyer if they can recover compensation for your case. This means there are no immediate financial burdens on you. Your lawyer’s fee is deducted from your settlement at an agreed-upon percentage.