Charlotte is a large city located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. It is the largest city in the state and one of its most popular tourist destinations. The city offers many attractions, including museums, gardens, parks, and professional sports teams.

Charlotte is also a thriving business center; many residents work in the finance, medicine, and technology fields. The city’s active nightlife scene includes numerous bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. The city is also a major transportation hub. It is located at the intersection of three major interstate highways and has a large international airport that serves many domestic and international destinations.

As intriguing as these features are, there are also plenty of opportunities for mishaps to occur.  We hope that doesn’t happen to you, but if it does, you may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured through no fault of your own in Charlotte, NC.  A Charlotte personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for your losses. At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our team is dedicated to helping personal injury victims and families get back on their feet after an accident or other incident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you were hurt due to another person’s negligent or reckless behavior, our law firm can help.

We’ll fight for the compensation that you need so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and moving forward with your life.

Personal Injury Claims in Charlotte: The Basics

Personal injury claims are legal proceedings that arise when a person suffers from physical or mental harm at the hands of another. What constitutes a personal injury claim varies from state to state, but it’s almost always associated with negligence or recklessness of the party that caused the harm.

In North Carolina, as in many other states, you can file a personal injury claim if another person’s carelessness or negligence caused your injuries. If you’re involved in an accident and suffer any severe physical or emotional damage, you may be able to file for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

While filing for such compensation is often not easy, especially without proper representation.  However, it is the only way to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses.

Do You Have a Valid Case?

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in an accident by someone else’s negligence. However, several factors could make it difficult for you to file a personal injury claim.

To determine whether or not your case is viable and worth pursuing, it is important that you fully disclose the extent of any injuries suffered, any potential pre-existing injuries, as well as all facts surrounding the incident. A good personal injury lawyer will advise on whether or not your case has merit, but it is up to you whether or not you feel they can adequately represent your interests, which is one of the reasons good communication is so important.

Examples of Personal Injury Cases in Charlotte, NC

One of the most common types of personal injury claims in Charlotte, NC, stems from car accidents. According to the Insurance Research Council, more than 2 million auto accident claims are filed annually in the United States. They also show that most accidents occur within 25 miles of the home or on local roads and highways.

One other common area for personal injuries is slip and fall cases. When you’ve been hurt due to a poorly maintained property, you may be able to file a claim against the owner for your injuries. You may also be able to sue if your injury was caused by defects in a product or service provided by another party. Other common cases include:

• Dog Bite Injuries
• Workplace Injuries
• Pedestrian Accidents

The Personal Injury Claim Process in Charlotte

Most personal injury lawyers start by asking you some basic questions about your accident and injuries. For example, they’ll want to know when and how it happened, who was involved, and what injuries you sustained. From there, they can determine whether or not you have a case to which they can add value and what type of compensation is possible. If you do have a valid claim, they’ll move forward with handling it on your behalf.

Seek Medical Treatment

Whether an accident has left you with severe or minor injuries, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Delaying medical attention can cause further harm and may result in an unfavorable outcome for your personal injury case. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to legally relate your injury back to the collision, fall, etc. 

It is also important not to attempt to treat the injury yourself (e.g., trying to pop a dislocated shoulder back into place). Doing so can lead to further damage, pain, and discomfort.

Contact a Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident or sustained personal injuries, whether as a result of negligence, medical malpractice, or an on-the-job injury, contact a Charlotte personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, PC, we have experienced personal injury attorneys who are ready to see if we can help. 

Notify the Parties Involved

To start your personal injury claim, you’ll need the contact information for the following parties involved:

• The insurance company of the party that caused your injuries–remember, we don’t recommend speaking to them without first contacting a personal injury attorney
• The other driver and owner of the vehicle that caused your injuries
• The police officer who responded to your accident (if there was one)
• Your medical provider(s), if applicable. If you were taken to a hospital or doctor after being involved in an auto accident or hurt on someone else’s property, your attorney needs to know every provider who treated your injuries, including EMS, radiologists, etc. 

File the Claim

The claims process can be a confusing and frustrating one, especially if you’ve never been involved in an accident before. These steps can vary depending on what kind of accident occurred and where it occurred (i.e., if you were hurt at work or in a car accident, or maybe you were involved in a car accident while working). If you are unsure what steps should be followed after an accident or injury, it may be best to contact an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the claims process.

In North Carolina, most accidents involving injuries must be resolved or a lawsuit filed within three years.  This is referred to as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for your specific case is one of the first things you should talk to your lawyer about.

Gather Evidence

You need to gather all the evidence you can to support your claim. This is one way an experienced personal injury attorney can assist you.  Evidence showing how the accident happened, who was responsible, and why they are liable will be critical in proving your case. Some of the most important pieces of evidence to collect include:

• Photographs from the scene of the accident;
• Medical records;
• Police report;
• Insurance policies and other documents related to coverage for injuries that occurred during an accident;
• Witness statements; and
• Other evidence (i.e. experts) as needed on a case-by-case basis

Negotiate

Negotiation is a vital part of the personal injury claim process. It’s essential to know that focusing on fairness is vital to both parties. The goal is to reach a fair agreement for both parties involved.  The at-fault party may offer you what they consider fair compensation for your injuries, but that is for you and your attorney to decide, which is why experience is so important during the negotiation process.

If negotiations are unsuccessful, you’ll need to file a lawsuit against them to attempt to collect damages related to your injuries.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or other incident involving someone else’ negligence, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. The litigation process can be long and drawn out.  It is governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure. If the Rules of Civil Procedure are not followed, the court could dismiss your case.   

Once all parties are served with your complaint (lawsuit) and the Defendants respond with an answer.   There is now an ongoing legal battle between yourself and those involved in causing your injuries. The evidence provided as part of this process, called discovery, will help determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation for damages sustained during such incidents as mentioned above. The judge will decide what evidence is allowed in front of the jury and once the jury hears all the evidence, they will deliberate and determine a verdict in your case. 

The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Charlotte Personal Injury Case

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our attorneys have your best interest in mind. We will help you with the following:

• Save time and money. An attorney’s knowledge of the legal system enables them to gather all the evidence they need quickly and efficiently, saving you money in terms of court costs, fees, and potential delays caused by not hiring an attorney early enough in your case.
• Handle and file the necessary paperwork: Our lawyers are well versed in personal injury cases, and we handle all the paperwork for you. We have experience filing personal injury claims and understand how complicated this process can be.

After a personal injury accident, getting help from someone who knows what needs to be done and when is important. We will ensure that your claim is filed as quickly as possible so that you receive the compensation you are entitled to as soon as possible.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To in a Personal Injury Settlement

You may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in Charlotte, NC, and need more information on the process of filing an injury claim, contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will be happy to answer all of your questions and discuss your options with you.