north carolina personal injury law faq
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North Carolina Attorneys Answer Your Personal Injury Questions
Charlotte Personal Injury Law Firm Stands Up for Injured Clients
If you suffered a personal injury in North Carolina, here are the answers you may have about how to proceed with a claim:
How much will it cost to hire an attorney to represent me in my personal injury claim?
All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that your lawyer will receive a percentage of any settlement you recover at the conclusion of your case.
I may have been slightly responsible for my injury – can I still recover damages?
It depends. North Carolina is one of just a handful of states that follow the doctrine of strict contributory negligence, which means that if you’re partially at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to recover any damages. However, if you were seriously injured in an accident – no matter what the circumstances – you should never attempt to determine on your own whether contributory negligence could prevent you from recovering damages. An experienced North Carolina auto accident attorney will be able to help minimize your respective fault and build the strongest possible case for you.
I didn’t seek medical attention immediately after my accident.
However, I later became aware that I was injured. Will this affect my claim? Both the driver and their passengers should seek always medical attention as soon as possible after an accident because a physician might detect injuries, sometimes even serious ones, that may not be apparent right away. However, if you see a doctor as soon as you realized you were injured and follow the medical advice you are given, you will be giving yourself the best chance at a fair recovery for the injuries you sustained.
Why shouldn’t I just represent myself in an accident claim?
If you choose to represent yourself, you’re doing exactly what the insurance company wants you to do – taking less than your claim is worth. An experienced personal injury attorney will evaluate a personal injury claim, calculate what it may be worth, demand that the insurance company treat you fairly, negotiate the best possible settlement, or take your case to trial if necessary.
The insurance company has offered to settle my claim – why shouldn’t I just accept their offer?
If you are offered a settlement from an insurance company, proceed with caution. You should not even think about accepting an offer of settlement until all your physical injuries have been treated and you’ve received a doctor’s prognosis, also known as Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). To increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries, consider consulting with an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney before signing any documents pertaining to your injury.
How do I know whether I should file a lawsuit after an accident?
This question can best be answered by an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney, who will review all the aspects of your case and give you competent legal advice.
Want to Learn More? Contact Our Knowledgeable North Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you’ve been seriously injured in an automobile accident in North Carolina, the Law Offices of Estwanik and May PLLC are here to guide you through the process. Call us at 704-817-2004 to set up your free initial consultation and get your questions answered today.