Living in Hickory is an amazing experience. The city offers various activities, from museums and art galleries to live music and sporting events. This is one of the reasons why Hickory residents are so happy with their decision to live here and it is a tourist destination for those who don’t.

However, we all know that sometimes accidents happen, and we can’t always prevent them. When these accidents happen, finding a personal injury lawyer in Hickory who can help you get the compensation you deserve is essential.

Personal injury cases can be complicated, and the laws surrounding these cases are constantly changing. The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor’s Hickory personal injury lawyers can help if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence.

We’ll work with you to build a strong case for your claim so that you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. If you’re in the Hickory area and have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, please get in touch with The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation.

Protect Your Right to Compensation Under Personal Injury Law

A personal injury lawyer is an attorney representing clients that have suffered injuries or damages due to the negligence of others. They help their clients recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and future earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.

A lawyer can help you by thoroughly investigating your accident and working with insurance companies on your behalf. If it becomes necessary to receive adequate compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company, they will file suit against the at-fault party or parties.

When hiring a lawyer, you should look for several things before making any commitment:

• Knowledge of North Carolina personal injury law
• Experience with similar cases
• Good reputation and track record
• Availability and willingness to communicate with you
• Ability and willingness to go the distance if necessary and file suit 

Discuss the Accident and Advise You of Your Rights Under North Carolina Law

Once you have hired a personal injury lawyer, they will discuss the accident with you and advise you of your rights under North Carolina law. The attorney will explain the process to you, including:

• How to file a personal injury claim
• What to expect during the claims process
• Whether there are any limitations to your case
• The attorney will also discuss how they plan to handle your case and their fees. They should be upfront about their fees and explain why they charge what they do.

Investigation and Discovery

Investigation and discovery are two ways an attorney can gather information and evidence. This can be done through various methods, including interviews (informal) and depositions (on the record). The information collected in these phases may be used to determine if you have a claim or not, as well as how strong that claim holds up after discovery ends.

Investigations may begin with potential witnesses and gathering statements from them, asking questions about what happened on the day of the accident and how it impacted their lives or yours since then. During this time, you will be asked detailed questions about exactly what happened during your accident; these answers will help inform whether or not there is enough evidence to prove negligence on behalf of another party who may have caused–or contributed–to your injuries.

Discovery can also include obtaining medical records that relate to injuries sustained during an accident (such as X-rays), obtaining police reports related to any accidents involved in your claim (including other people’s damages), reviewing business records related to the incident (like employer policies) and obtaining the names and contact information of any witnesses who were at the scene of your accident.

Place Parties on Notice and Send Letters of Representation

Once you’ve decided to hire a personal injury lawyer, your lawyer will send a letter of representation. This serves two purposes: it notifies your potential opponents that they are now dealing with an attorney who has been hired to represent your interests. It allows them time to investigate the case against them before they reply. It also lets them know that they are no longer able to contact you directly and must go through your attorney. 

The most important thing you can do as a client is to ensure your attorney knows everything they need to know about your case to be ready for any possible responses from other parties involved. The more information you provide about how things happened and what injuries were sustained, your attorney will be better prepared when sending out letters of representation.

For example, if there are witnesses who saw an accident occur and can help prove liability on behalf of their side (or yours), include their names and contact information so attorneys can interview them on either side of the suit.

Request Bills, Records, and Other Economic Damages

In your personal injury case, you want an attorney who will do whatever it takes to get the bills, records, and other economic damages that support your claim. You may also need these documents later on if you decide to file a lawsuit. 

Negotiate with Insurance Companies

An injury lawyer’s job is to negotiate with the insurance companies for their clients. Insurance companies may not always be fair, and an experienced personal injury lawyer will have to work hard to get them to offer a fair settlement.

Will My Hickory Personal Injury Claim Go to Court?

Most personal injury claims are settled out of court, but some circumstances require a jury trial for resolution. If your case goes to trial, you will be notified when it’s time for your case to be heard in court. Your lawyer will accompany you throughout this process and explain what happens at each stage.

Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Hickory Lawyers Handle

A Hickory personal injury lawyer can help you with all the following types of cases:

• Wrongful death. You may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit when a loved one is killed due to another party’s negligence or intentional misconduct.
• Car accident
• Motorcycle accident
• Truck Accident
• Slip and Fall
• Injured at Work by a Third Party

Hickory Personal Injury Claims and Compensation

In a nutshell, a personal injury claim is based on the principle of negligence. In other words, if the person responsible for causing your injuries was not careful in their actions and failed to act with reasonable care, you can bring a claim against them to compensate you for the harms and losses they caused.

In many cases for personal injury compensation, it is necessary to prove that the responsible party owed you a duty of care (that is, they had an obligation to be careful), breached that duty by acting in some way other than responsibly (for example through negligence), and that breach resulted in your injuries and you suffered damages as a result.

Special Damages

Special damages are intended to compensate you for your financial losses and have a specific dollar amount attached. They may also be called economic damages and can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost income 
• Property damage

General Damages

General damages are compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. They are usually awarded for physical injuries such as broken bones or disfigurement but can also be awarded for emotional distress caused by the injury or its treatment.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages can be awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were reckless, malicious, or fraudulent, such as drunk driving. These damages are rarely granted and are meant to punish the offending party; however, they can also serve as a deterrent for future bad behavior by others who might be tempted to engage in similar acts.

Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims are brought by the family of a loved one who has died due to the negligence of another person or entity. Wrongful death claims are brought against the person or entity responsible for the accident that caused the death, such as a negligent driver, hospital, or other business.

Contact a Hickory, NC, Personal Injury Attorney For Help With Your Injury Lawsuit

Seeing a lawyer is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve. Our Hickory personal injury attorneys will help you understand your rights under North Carolina law and can give you advice on how to proceed with your case.

Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today to schedule a free consultation.