Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall, a car collision, a medical malpractice case, or another accident that wasn’t your fault, you likely have physical pain, emotional distress, and mounting bills in the aftermath of your injury. Thankfully, North Carolina law allows victims of accidents to claim compensation for their accident-related costs if someone else caused their injuries. But if you want to take advantage of this system, you need to get in contact with a personal injury attorney right away.
What Types of Accidents Warrant Calling a Personal Injury Attorney?
Any time someone else caused your injuries, it is wise to have a personal injury lawyer review your case. In many situations, you stand to gain from the guidance of a professional. For instance, attorneys can help with the following types of cases:
- Work injuries
- Motor vehicle accident injuries
- Medical malpractice injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Defective or dangerous product injuries
In all these situations, someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused or contributed to your injury. Personal injury attorneys handle these types of cases.
How Serious Does My Injury Need to Be Before I Consult an Attorney?
If you experience any of these situations after an accident that injured you, you should contact an attorney about your case:
- If you required hospitalization
- If you needed surgery or other significant medical procedures
- If you missed work for an extended period due to an injury
- If your injuries resulted in an impairment that required you to change jobs or careers
- If you suffered a long-term or permanent disability
- If you need to deal with substantial medical bills
- If your injuries impact your quality of life or result in ongoing pain and suffering
What If the Insurance Company Has Already Made an Offer?
Insurance companies often move quickly to settle claims, sometimes contacting accident victims within days or even hours of an incident. But you should remember that insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. That means that their initial offers will always reflect their own interests rather than yours and will undoubtedly not cover the full extent of your accident-related losses. Additionally, once you accept a settlement, you cannot seek additional compensation, even if your condition worsens.
If an insurer has made a settlement offer, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer can evaluate whether the offer adequately addresses your injuries and losses, and if not, they can make a counter-demand to the insurer on your behalf.
How Long After My Accident Do I Have to Contact an Attorney?
The statute of limitations in North Carolina creates a firm deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, you have a three-year period in which to file suit against the at-fault party. If you miss this deadline, the court can dismiss the case without a hearing. Should that happen, you lose any leverage that could force the insurer to offer more in a settlement.
Additionally, the earlier you work with a personal injury attorney, the earlier they can start working on your behalf:
- They can manage all communication with the insurer to protect you from making any statements that may compromise your claim
- They can collect and preserve any evidence that will make your case stronger
- They can handle all the legal details so you can focus fully on your own recovery
Finding the Right Legal Support with Sheffron Law Firm
When you suffer an injury and need legal representation, no matter the specifics of your case, the personal injury lawyers at Sheffron Law Firm are here to help. For over 25 years, we have provided dedicated, compassionate personal injury representation for clients throughout Henderson, Polk, and Columbus counties. We’ll take the time to understand your unique circumstances, explain your rights, and explore available options to pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Don’t wait. Call us today or fill out our online form for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.