Many people are able to walk away from an accident without serious injuries or lasting damage. But others aren’t so lucky. When the worst happens, you have allies at Stewart Law Offices.
Whether you suffered harm in a workplace accident, motor vehicle crash, medical malpractice event, slip-and-fall accident, or any other type of incident, talking to a North Carolina personal injury attorney can prepare you to discover if you have rights to compensation for your losses.
Compensation can provide essential funds to accident victims as they recover from their injuries. It can cover medical bills, replace lost wages, and provide money for damages such as lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. But obtaining the compensation that you are owed isn’t always simple, even in claims where the accident was obviously someone else’s fault. Many insurance companies are penny pinchers. Their adjusters are trained to withhold every dollar they can rather than give deserving victims a fair payout. That’s where Stewart Law Offices comesin.
In addition, we accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that you don’t pay any upfront expenses, and we only get paid our legal fee if we obtain a verdict, settlement, or award on your behalf.
Our experienced attorneys understand the hardships that victims and their families face in the aftermath of an accident. We’re here to listen to your story and discuss your legal options for compensation. Should you decide to take legal action, our knowledgeable attorneys will be with you every step of the way. That’s why we offer free consultations to all potential clients.
How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?
At Stewart Law Offices, we treat clients like family. That was our law firm’s founding principle and we hold true to it today. So what does that mean for you?
Customized legal services: Even cases with similar facts are different. Your claim will be uniquely crafted to reflect your needs.
Compassionate yet fierce legal representation: Our attorneys are sympathetic advocates yet warriors for your right to maximum compensation.
Independent and thorough investigation: We will work to obtain the evidence we need to build a personal injury claim that stands up against challenges from insurance companies and other lawyers.
Open communication: Our legal team is available to you by e-mail and phone. We’ll respond to your inquiries and keep you updated on the status if your case at all times.
North Carolina Personal Injury FAQs
To make the most of your free consultation, consider bringing the following documents and information:
Medical Records: Any records related to your injury, including doctor’s notes, treatment plans, and prescription information
Accident Report: A police or incident report, if available
Insurance Information: Both your insurance details and those of any other parties involved
Photographs: Photos of the accident scene, injuries, and any property damage
Witness Information: Contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident
These documents allow your attorney to evaluate your case more thoroughly and provide an accurate assessment of your personal injury claim.
Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by an injury. These damages are not calculated by bills or receipts but rather by factors like the severity of your injury, your pain level, and the long-term impact on your life.
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the injury. This means you have three years to file a lawsuit, or you may lose your right to seek compensation. Certain exceptions exist, such as cases involving minors or situations where the injury was not immediately apparent. That said, it’s crucial to act quickly, as an untimely filed suit will likely be dismissed by the court.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that may be filed against an individual who has caused harm to another person through negligence. North Carolina law allows victims to pursue compensation if they can prove that the at-fault party was negligent and that their recklessness directly resulted in their injuries and any subsequent damages.
Injured? Discover the types of personal injury cases we handle:
What You Need to Know About NC Personal Injury Settlements to Maximize Your Compensation
A settlement is a compromise between the party who is responsible for the accident and the injured individual. In exchange for a guaranteed sum of money, the injured person agrees to take no further legal action against the defendant.
Settlements are the preferred way to resolve most personal injury claims because:
You are definitely getting paid. Accepting a settlement means that you will receive compensation for your losses no matter what. By contrast, going to trial could mean that you receive nothing at all.
Settlements avoid drawn-out legal proceedings. Trials take preparation, and court calendars are busy. You’re much more likely to resolve your case faster by reaching a settlement agreement.
Settlements are private, but trials are public. Court proceedings are public records. That means that anyone who wants to read the details surrounding your personal injury case and medical records will be able to do so. That can be very stressful for many accident victims.
Appeals can take years. If a judge or jury does not rule in your favor, you do have a right to appeal your case. But that takes even more preparation and can delay your necessary payout indefinitely.
Settlements are cheaper. The longer it takes to resolve a case, the greater the litigation costs. All fees that are paid upfront are then reduced from the total award or settlement, so more will end up in your pocket if you can come to an early resolution.
With all of that being said, there are some circumstances in which our attorneys may advise you that trial is your best option. But given that trials are risky, we won’t come to that suggestion quickly.
Instead, we will thoroughly review the evidence in your case and weigh the risks and benefits. Most importantly, we will then come to you with our honest advice.
You should know that your case is always in your hands. Just because we recommend (or don’t recommend) a trial doesn’t mean that you have to accept our suggestions. We’re here to advise you of your legal options so you can make an informed decision moving forward.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue with a North Personal Injury Attorney
Approximately 700,000 personal injury claims are filed in the U.S. every year. Although states differ slightly in the types of damages an accident victim may collect (and how much they can receive), the overarching point of personal injury compensation is to make the victim “whole” again.
In North Carolina, accident victims can obtain compensation for:
Home renovations to accommodate the new disability (e.g., make it wheelchair accessible, etc.)
Lost income
Loss of future earning potential
Property damage
Pain and suffering ($500,000 cap in medical malpractice cases)
Lost enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Mental anguish
Punitive damages (to punish the at-fault party for particularly outrageous conduct)
Aside from the cap on pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases, there are no limits on the other types of damages in North Carolina’s personal injury claims. How much you will be able to recover will depend on the circumstances of your case.
Keep in mind that no amount or outcome can be promised, as many factors may come into play as your case proceeds.
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer in North Carolina
Finding the right personal injury attorney is a very individualized decision. Every lawyer has a different personality and approach to his or her clients. You need the one that appeals to you.
Consider these factors when choosing your NC personal injury attorney:
Experience: How long has he/she been practicing? Where did he/she attend law school?
Practice area: Lawyers can focus in a wide range of practice areas, such as personal injury law or business law. You want one who focuses primarily (if not entirely) on personal injury matters.
Demeanor: Some people rub you the wrong way. Were you comfortable in your free consultation, or did the attorney make you feel nervous or shy?
No promises: An attorney should never promise you he/she will win your case. If they guarantee an outcome, go shopping for a new lawyer.
Recommendations: Do you know anyone who has worked with the attorney before? Personal reviews from friends and colleagues can make a big difference when it comes to picking the best attorney for you.
North Carolina Personal Injury Laws
Whether it’s an insurance settlement or a lawsuit, some fundamental North Carolina laws may come into play when you’re involved in a personal injury case.
Statute of limitations: You have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina. Failure to file by that deadline could result in your claim being dismissed entirely, and you will be barred from compensation forever.
Contributory negligence rule: Determining who is at fault can make or break your personal injury case. Some states allow victims to recover compensation even if they are partly at fault for the accident that injured them. Not so in North Carolina — if you are found even 1 percent liable for the incident, you cannot be awarded any compensation for your losses.
Because so much is riding on who is at fault in a personal injury case, it’s critical to speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company. Your lawyer knows what kind of evidence is necessary to fight back against unfair claims of fault, which could severely jeopardize the amount of compensation you can receive.
Contact Our Experienced North Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys Today
For decades, Brent Stewart and the team at Stewart Law Offices have been dedicated to representing clients across the Carolinas. If you’re searching for injury lawyers in your area, we’re here to help.
At Stewart Law Offices, we are committed to reducing the stress our clients face while making a positive impact on their lives. With a focus on compassionate, high-quality representation, we’re ready to fight for the justice you deserve.
