Understanding Personal Injury Law in North Carolina
Personal injury law enables individuals who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence to pursue compensation for their losses.
North Carolina personal injury cases frequently arise when a person, company, or government agency fails to act with reasonable care, thereby causing harm to another person. Some common examples include drivers who run red lights, property owners who fail to address hazardous conditions, and manufacturers who release unsafe products.
North Carolina follows a strict rule called contributory negligence.
Under the contributory negligence rule, if you share any portion of fault for the incident that caused your injuries, you may be entirely barred from recovering compensation.
The harsh standard makes it essential to work with an experienced Greensboro personal injury attorney who is capable of building a strong case and countering the other side’s attempts to shift blame onto you.
The state also imposes a legal deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under North Carolina’s statute of limitations, you generally have a maximum of three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in court. If you miss the deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation.
Building a solid personal injury case takes time, so you should speak with our personal injury attorneys in Greensboro as soon as possible after an accident.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Kreger Brodish LLP Handles in Greensboro, NC
At Kreger Brodish LLP, our Greensboro personal injury attorneys represent clients across a range of practice areas.
No matter how you were injured, we have the experience and resources to pursue justice for you.
For example, we regularly handle personal injury cases involving:
Car accidents
Collisions often result from distracted driving, speeding, disregarding traffic signals, or other types of negligence, leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and severe pain and suffering.
Truck accidents
Crashes with commercial trucks can cause catastrophic harm due to the mass of these vehicles, particularly when they are fully loaded with cargo.
Motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle riders encounter unique dangers on the road, and negligent drivers frequently cause severe injuries to vulnerable motorcyclists.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Because people on foot or traveling by bike have no protection when struck by motor vehicles, these accidents can be life-threatening.
Slip-and-fall accidents and other premises liability cases
Property managers and owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions, and their failure to do so can result in severe injuries from falls, swimming pool accidents, and other property-related incidents.
Dog bites
Dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets, and victims of dog attacks deserve compensation for their injuries.
Nursing home negligence
When facilities fail to provide proper care, elderly residents can suffer abuse, neglect, or serious harm.
Wrongful death
Our attorneys also help families who have lost loved ones due to preventable accidents seek justice and accountability.
The Personal Injury Claim Process in Greensboro
Filing a personal injury claim involves several important steps. Understanding the process can help you feel more prepared as you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
The process typically begins with an investigation. Our Greensboro personal injury attorneys can gather evidence from the accident scene, obtain police reports, collect medical records, and interview witnesses.
The information helps establish what happened and who bears responsibility for your injuries.
Calculating the full value of your personal injury claim
Once our attorneys have built a clear picture of your case, we can calculate the full extent of your losses. That includes current medical expenses, anticipated future treatment costs, lost wages, and the physical and emotional toll your injuries have taken. A thorough assessment ensures that no aspect of your harm goes unaccounted for.
Filing your claim and negotiating with insurance companies
With this information in hand, our personal injury attorneys can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer and begin settlement negotiations. Insurance adjusters typically try their best to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely, but our experienced attorneys can push back and fight for a fair offer.
Taking your personal injury case to court if necessary
If the insurance adjuster will not agree to a reasonable compensation package, our attorneys may recommend filing a lawsuit. While most personal injury cases end in settlements before trial, having a lawyer who is prepared to take your case to court sends a clear message that you will not accept anything less than you deserve.
Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Case
A successful personal injury claim can help you secure damages (compensation) for the many ways your injuries have affected your life. The specific amount you may receive depends on the severity of your harm, the available insurance coverage, and the circumstances of your case.
Personal injury compensation may cover injury-related expenses and losses such as:
- Medical bills – Compensation for medical expenses can include hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications (prescription and non-prescription), physical therapy, and any future treatment you will need.
- Lost income – If your injuries have kept you from working, you can seek payment for the lost wages you have missed and any reduction in your future capacity to earn.
- Pain and suffering – Bodily pain and psychological distress are real consequences of serious injuries, and you deserve compensation for what you have endured.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement – Injuries that result in lasting impairments or visible scarring can dramatically alter your quality of life and warrant additional compensation.
- Property damage – When an accident destroys or damages your vehicle or other belongings, you can seek reimbursement for repair or replacement costs.
In rare cases involving especially reckless or malicious conduct, North Carolina courts may award punitive damages as a financial punishment for the wrongdoer with the goal of discouraging similar behavior in the future.
