The decision of whether or not to hire a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina is personal. It depends on your unique situation, including the severity of your injuries and your case goals. It is important to know, however, that having legal representation, such as a Wilmington personal injury attorney, can make a critical difference in your case – especially since North Carolina has some of the strictest liability laws in the country.
North Carolina Is a Contributory Negligence State
Though the vast majority of states have switched to more plaintiff-friendly comparative negligence laws, North Carolina still applies a contributory fault or negligence rule. This is a strict liability law that states that if a plaintiff or injured victim is found to be even 1 percent responsible for an accident, he or she cannot receive any financial compensation.
The contributory negligence doctrine can take away your monetary recovery. Insurance companies in North Carolina often use this law to try to avoid absorbing liability for injury claims. It is important to hire a lawyer who can protect you against this defense.
Serious Injuries Deserve Legal Representation
The level of injury you suffered in an accident caused by negligence can help you decide whether you need a lawyer to represent you during the claims process. In general, severe and catastrophic injuries require legal advocacy for fair case results.
Insurance companies want to minimize their liability for claims to protect their profits as much as possible. If you have a life-changing injury with a great deal of future costs and medical needs, you may need to work with an attorney to achieve a fair and full settlement.
Without a lawyer negotiating on your behalf, you may get locked into a settlement that barely scratches the surface of what your injury will actually cost over your lifetime. A lawyer will help you fight for fair medical coverage, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering damages, and more.
Issues That Point to the Need for a Lawyer in North Carolina
If a personal injury case involves certain elements, issues or obstacles, you may need a personal injury attorney to help you overcome them. An experienced attorney will have the knowledge and ability to navigate the unique issues and nuances involved in a complex case. Examples include multiple defendants, a liability dispute, the contributory negligence defense, a lack of insurance coverage, an uncooperative insurance company and a rejected claim.
When to Involve a Wilmington, NC Personal Injury Lawyer
In North Carolina, you have no more than three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. You must contact a personal injury attorney before this deadline expires, if you wish to hire one. Working with an attorney early on, however, is the best way to strengthen your odds of success.
Legal representation at the beginning of your case can make it easier to preserve and collect key evidence, before witnesses forget what they saw or surveillance footage gets recorded over. Your lawyer can take prompt legal action for you.
An attorney can also help you avoid common mistakes that may hurt your recovery, such as speaking to insurance claims adjusters on your own, giving a recorded statement or posting on social media. You are more likely to achieve the case outcome you need with a lawyer by your side.
Find Out if You Need an Attorney During a Free Case Review
The Wilmington personal injury lawyers at Shipman Wright & Moore, LLP, can give you an honest opinion as to whether or not you need to hire a personal injury lawyer for your claim in North Carolina during a free consultation. We don’t push every client to hire us, as we only take cases where we truly believe we can make a difference in their recovery. If we believe you could benefit from our services, we will be committed to supporting you every step of the way.