The Catastrophic Injury Blog
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CATASTROPHIC INJURY
How long do I have to bring my claim?
North Carolina law generally gives you three (3) years to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Wrongful death claims usually have a two (2) year time limit. North Carolina law only applies if the accident happened in North Carolina.
Posted in FAQs - Personal Injury
P: 828-252-2852
FREQUENTLY ASKED PERSONAL INJURY QUESTIONS
Should I go to the hospital if I don't have pain?
Most health care providers recommend that you go to the Emergency Room to make sure you don't have hidden or delayed injuries. Even if you don't go to the Emergency Room for a check up, you should schedule a doctor appointment to be certain you have no injuries.
How do I handle myself at the scene?
You must stop and help anyone who is injured at the scene. Take precautions to make sure other cars are warned of the wreck. North Carolina Law requires you to call the most convenient law enforcement. Get the officer involved as soon as possible so this trained professional can objectively prepare critical reports and make important observations. You are only required under North Carolina law to disclose your name, address, registration number and driver's license. While you do not have to give a full statement to the officer, you should give a brief statement of what happened. You should not make any other detailed comments to anyone until you have consulted your lawyer. Photograph your car and your injuries as soon as possible. DO NOT SIGN...
How can I pay my bills while I am out of work?
You should consider all possible sources of insurance such as health and disability. Depending on your condition, you may become eligible for Med Pay, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Worker's Compensation (if wreck occurred while on the job). Ask your agent and lawyer for more details. It is unethical for lawyers to lend you money while your case is pending. However, lawyers can often help you handle the financial crunch by promising the health care providers to pay their fees out of the settlement or jury verdict.
How much money should I get for my damaged car?
Property damage claims are generally handled separately from personal injury claims. North Carolina law permits you to recover the difference between full market value of the car before and after the wreck. While these damages usually mean the repair value, the loan, age and condition of your car may change the damage value.
How long do I have to bring my claim?
North Carolina law generally gives you three (3) years to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Wrongful death claims usually have a two (2) year time limit. North Carolina law only applies if the accident happened in North Carolina.
What will the lawyer cost?
Lawyers generally handle injury cases on a contingency or percentage (%) basis. The fee is charged after a settlement or jury verdict is reached. If you lose the claim, you would not owe the lawyer any fee for his/her time under a contingency fee. Costs for obtaining medical records, accident reports, copies, long distance phone calls and other "out of pocket" expenses are payable by you regardless of the outcome.
CATASTROPHIC INJURY VIDEO LIBRARY
Our Video Library is not closed-captioned. Instead of embedding our videos, we have created posts for them, where full transcripts of can be found.
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