Experiencing a personal injury can be one of the most life-altering events in someone’s life. Between the physical and emotional pain, coupled with financial hardships, it can feel paralyzing to try to begin the legal process during your recovery. Fortunately, a Supply personal injury lawyer can provide peace of mind by guiding their clients through the personal injury claim process to maximize settlements and help rebuild their lives after injury.
At Christina Rivenbark & Associates, our team of personal injury lawyers has been representing the Supply, North Carolina, community for many years. We understand how profound of an impact these types of injuries can have on your life, which is why we dedicate our services to providing personalized and diligent legal representation. Connect with us today to maximize your chances of securing the most favorable outcome possible.
There are a number of key steps to anticipate if you have been injured and are ready to start the personal injury process. Each of these steps can help you build a strong claim and secure enough compensation to cover your damages.
The process includes:
You first need to have an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Supply, North Carolina. During this meeting, the attorney will take a look at your case and assess its merits. They will also educate you on your legal rights and outline each step that will be involved in pursuing your case.
After hiring your attorney, they will begin the process of conducting an investigation into the incident. This will include gathering evidence like your medical records, police reports, statements from witnesses, and any other relevant documentation that helps to illustrate the nature of your injuries. The goal of this process is to have enough evidence to establish the facts of the case and identify who is liable.
Once the investigation is complete, an attorney will send a demand letter to the alleged at-fault party. This letter will detail the facts of the case, the injuries you have sustained, and exactly how much compensation you are seeking.
The defendant will review the demand letter with their attorney and insurance company to either accept or reject the offer. They could also respond with a counteroffer. At this point, negotiations will take place between the attorneys on both sides to try and reach a fair settlement. If the attorneys can come to an agreement, the case will finish here without needing to go to court.
If a settlement cannot be reached, a claim will need to be filed. This involves filing a complaint with the appropriate court, which officially marks the start of the litigation process. A defendant is then provided this information and is given time to respond and prepare for court.
Before trial, both parties have the option to engage in the mediation process. This is when a third-party mediator brings both parties together to discuss their differences and try to reach an agreement. If this doesn’t work, proceedings in court will be inevitable.
If mediation is either unsuccessful or is turned down by the parties, the case will proceed to trial. This is where both sides have the opportunity to present their own set of evidence and arguments to a judge and jury. Once each trial step is complete, the judge and jury will deliberate and issue a final verdict.
If either party does not believe the original ruling was correct, they have the right to appeal the decision. This appeals process will involve a higher court to review exactly what happened to see if any legal errors are evident. While this process can be time-consuming, it’s worth the effort if you can have an original unfavorable decision reversed.
A: The length of time it takes to settle a personal injury claim in North Carolina will vary based on the complexity of your case. In straightforward cases where liability is clear, a personal injury case could settle within a few months. However, in more complicated cases where there are extensive injuries and disputed liability, these cases could go on for several years. If your case needs to go to trial, this will extend the timeline due to court schedules and the trial process.
A: All personal injury cases must be filed within three years from the date of injury to satisfy the state’s statute of limitations. This means that anyone who misses this deadline is forced to forfeit their right to pursue compensation, no matter how compelling the evidence they have may be. One major exception to this rule is if someone discovered injuries after the date of their incident. In this situation, the three-year statute starts when the injuries were discovered.
A: Personal injury in North Carolina refers to harm caused by one individual to another due to either negligence or an intentional act. This can include a wide range of incidents, such as car accidents, slips and falls, and even medical malpractice. The most important element in a personal injury claim is to directly link the injuries you have sustained with the other party’s actions. An attorney can help you make this link.
A: Yes, there is a legal avenue to sue for emotional distress in North Carolina. These claims are typically included in a larger personal injury claim where the plaintiff is also seeking compensation for physical injuries. Documents like medical records and therapy notes can help prove that your emotional suffering is valid and connected to the actions of the individual you are suing. An attorney can help determine the viability of an emotional distress claim.
If you have been injured in North Carolina and are looking to pursue a personal injury claim, you never have to go through it alone. At Christina Rivenbark & Associates, we have spent years demonstrating our commitment to personal injury cases throughout Supply, North Carolina. Contact us today to begin the process.