If you have been injured in an accident in North Carolina, you may be wondering whether you can recover financial damages for your injury.
There are two primary ways that you can recover financial compensation after an accident:
1) You may file an insurance claim with either the at-fault parties insurance company or your own insurance company, depending on the circumstances, or
2) You may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver who hit you, and/or your own insurance company.
At The Hart Law Firm, we believe strongly in providing you with as much information as we can so that you can educate yourself about the personal injury process in general and what you might expect when filing your claim. We believe that an informed and empowered consumer is the best client.
If after reading through the information on this website, you still have questions that you need answered and would like to talk to an attorney, please feel free to reach out to us at (919) 460-5422 or fill our our online contact form.
Everything in this online guide was designed to help injury victims obtain compensation for their injuries provided that they were in an accident in the State of North Carolina. You may have been hurt in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or in any other type of serious accident. Regardless of what type of accident you may have been in, the information provided on this site will help you to better understand the initial steps you must take to receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Case
Determine Whether You Have a Valid Personal Injury Case
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Case?
Begin to Understand the Difference Between Filing an Insurance Claim and Filing a Lawsuit
Can You Recover the Diminished Value of Your Car?
First Party vs. Third Party Claims
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
5 Steps You Need to Take After You Have Been in an Accident
The Impact of Police Reports on Insurance Claims
The Statute of Limitations in North Carolina
How Contributory Negligence May Impact Your Claim
Exceptions to Contributory Negligence
Using Med Pay to Get Your Medical Bills Paid
Step 3: Establish Liability
Liability and Personal Injury Law
Understanding the Law of Negligence
The Legal Burden of Proof in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Step 4: Calculate Your Damages
The Types of Compensation in a Personal Injury Case
Soft-Tissue Issues vs. Serious Injuries
Factors That May Limit Your Damages
How to Calculate the Value of Your Pain and Suffering
Step 5: Negotiate a Settlement
The Insurance Negotiation Process
Lies and Tactics the Insurance Company Will Use Against You
10 Negotiation Mistakes You Must Avoid
How to Calculate Your Lost Income
How to Request Your Medical Records
How to Write an Effective Demand Letter Even If You Never Went to Law School
How to Reject an Offer and Send an Appropriate Response
How Many Counter-Offers Should You Make?
How to Identify and Respond to Bad Faith
Step 6: Accept or Reject the Offer
Accepting the Settlement Offer
How a Personal Injury Settlement is Taxed
The Sleeping Dragon: Understanding Liens and Subrogation Rights
We strongly recommend that you take some time to carefully review all the information contained in this section of our website. It will help you to initiate your personal injury claim and start to negotiate a settlement that will make you whole.
In many cases, you will be able to negotiate a fair and adequate personal injury settlement on your own, without hiring a lawyer. However, understand that there a many pitfalls in pursuing a claim for personal injury damages and the insurance adjusters have lots of tricks that they will use to minimize the value of your claim. So in certain situations, it may be better for you to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you obtain the highest possible amount of compensation for your injuries.
And it goes without saying that if you were in a serious accident and suffered significant and serious injuries, then you will need to hire a personal injury lawyer who can properly present your claim to the insurance adjuster or even file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Complex Case? You May Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You
If you have any questions about the process of obtaining compensation for your injuries after you or a loved one have been in an accident, we recommend that you contact a personal injury lawyer right away. At The Hart Law Firm, we offer a free, no obligation consultation to potential clients.
You have nothing to lose by reaching out to an attorney to get your questions answered and learn about your rights and responsibilities in the wake of a serious accident.
Having a personal injury lawyer at your side will give you the peace of mind you need knowing that a professional is fighting for you to get the compensation you deserve (and are legally entitled to).