North Carolina Personal Injury Cases: What to Know and How to Hire the Right Attorney

North Carolina personal injury lawsuits can arise from various situations, such as car accidents and collisions with pedestrians to defective products such as medication and medical devices.

Though it can be time-consuming and confusing to find the right attorney for your case, the cost of not consulting an expert could mean that you don’t get what you deserve out of your claim if anything at all.

In these situations, time is critical. The time you have to file a personal injury claim in North Carolina ranges from one to two years, which is dependent on the specific type of case and when your incident occurred. Read below for more information about choosing a North Carolina personal injury attorney and tips for filing a claim.

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim results from an accidental incident that causes you to suffer a physical, emotional, or financial loss. The accident might be caused by another person’s negligence, which makes that person criminally and civilly liable for any injuries you sustain. It could be a defective product that causes you to harm in other cases.

If your accident occurred in North Carolina and left you with a loss, it’s essential to seek aid from a lawyer as soon as possible. The dispute process can typically last at least a year or two, depending on the type of case and how long the defense team takes to file an answer to your claim. That’s why it’s vital to employ a lawyer as soon as you can so they can get started on your case right away.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Even though all personal injury cases are severe, some are more common than others. That’s why it’s essential to consider your specific situation when choosing a North Carolina personal injury attorney.

Car Accidents: Car accidents make up most personal injury claims each year because they’re so popular and can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you’ve been hit by another driver, you may be compensated for any medical bills, lost wages, and injuries such as bruises or whiplash.

Slip and Falls: Slip and fall accidents can result in broken bones, head trauma, or paralysis. A store owner or business may be liable for these types of accidents if they have not adequately maintained their property.

Medical Malpractice: Mistakes made by doctors are the basis for many medical malpractice claims because they’re typically unexpected and can result in serious physical or emotional damage to the patient.

Product Liability: Product liability cases typically arise when a defective product causes injury to its consumer. Most of these claims are made against manufacturers for damages for medical or other expenses, lost wages, and pain or suffering.

What You Should Expect from Your Attorney

After hiring your personal injury lawyer, you should begin to receive information about your case. Your attorney should be clear about their strategy and let you know what documentation they need from you to make a claim. They should also inform you of how the other side is likely to respond in court so that you can prepare accordingly.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Attorney

Various factors should be thought about when selecting a personal injury lawyer, including the following:

Experience: If your case is complicated, you want someone with experience to handle it. You may also want an experienced attorney if you have a potentially lucrative claim with a high demand for damages because they know how to negotiate effectively and win significant cases.

Location: Be sure to choose an attorney who practices in the same state as your incident. It will ensure that they can legally represent you and be familiar with any laws or court procedures unique to that state.

Cost: You should never have to pay a hefty fee upfront, especially if you’re already dealing with injuries and high medical bills from your accident. You should expect to pay between 25% and 33% of your final settlement, or 33% if the case goes to trial.

Types of Personal Injury Compensation

You may be entitled to damages for many different reasons in a personal injury claim. Some of them include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There are situations where you may receive punitive damages.

Punitive damages are awarded to you in addition to compensatory damages if the defendant’s behavior was malicious or particularly egregious. The money is intended to punish defendants for their wrongdoing and deter similar incidents from happening in the future.

Closing Thoughts

When you have been injured because of others’ actions, it’s important to seek compensation with the help of a North Carolina personal injury attorney. They’ll ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve for your time and medical bills.