What to Know About Personal Injury Laws in North Carolina

TOPICS:

Posted By: The Three Trials December 13, 2017

Man after a car accidentUnder North Carolina law, if you got into an accident and sustained injuries due to the actions of another individual, you might be entitled to claim compensation for your hospital bills, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages. Below are some basic things to know before you file your personal injury claim:

What is Personal Injury?

Personal injury refers to the physical and mental injuries of an individual that are a result of another individual’s negligent actions. Some injuries might be minor cuts and bruises or might be fatal.

For clarification purposes, a personal injury doesn’t include damage to destruction or damage to property, like a house or vehicle. Personal injuries are often caused by the following:

  • Dog bite
  • Car, trucking, motorcycle, or boating accidents
  • Slip, trip and fall accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Nursing home abuse
  • Sexual abuse

For you to collect compensation for your personal injury claim, you need to prove to the court that the other party’s negligent actions caused your injuries. Specifically, you must be able to demonstrate that:

  • The individual responsible for the injuries you sustained has a duty not to injure you, but failed to do so.
  • There’s a direct connection to your injuries and the responsible party’s responsibility.
  • You suffered financial loss or damages.

Many civil litigation lawyers in Charlotte, NC noted that if you had some part — perhaps due to your own carelessness — in contributing to your injuries, the court could reduce the amount you could potentially recover from your claim.

Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Claim

The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in North Carolina is three years starting from the date you sustained your injuries. If you fail to negotiate with the responsible party, you will need to file a lawsuit prior to the statute of limitations running out.

Seek the help of an experienced lawyer following your personal injury or as soon as possible to figure out what you should do. Remember that it’s better to be informed.