Cape Fear Personal Injury

When someone is injured by another's negligence or wrongful actions of another, the law provides that the injury victim can get compensation from the person who caused the accident. The responsible party could include a reckless driver, property owner, or company who put out a dangerous product. When filing a personal injury lawsuit, an experienced attorney can represent you in court and fight to get you the maximum compensation available.

Personal Injury Lawsuits in North Carolina

Personal injury lawsuits can involve any type of accident or injury. Common personal injury accidents in North Carolina can include:

Vehicle accidents,
Boating accidents,
Truck accidents,
Motorcycle accidents,
Bike accidents,
Pedestrian injuries,
Medical malpractice,
Defective products,
Dog bites,
Slip and fall accidents,
Bus accident,
Electrical shock,
Chemical burns,
Construction accidents,
Roofing accidents,
Burn injuries, and
Sports injuries.

Negligence in Personal Injury Claims

Most personal injury claims are based on “negligence.” For example, a driver who was texting while driving and rear-ends another car may have been negligent in causing the accident. Or a grocery store manager may be negligent for not cleaning up a juice spill when another shopper slips on the floor and gets injured.

Employers or business owners can also be liable for the negligence of their employees. For example, it may not make sense to file a lawsuit against a delivery driver for causing an accident because the driver does not have much money. However, the business owner may be liable for the negligence of the driver and the business is more likely to be able to pay for the damages.

Similarly, in a product defect lawsuit, the manufacturer, seller, or distributor may all be liable for the defective product.

Personal Injury Damages

In a personal injury lawsuit, the injury victim is seeking money damages to compensate them for their loss. The money is intended to cover financial and non-economic damages. The damages available in a personal injury claim depend on the type of injury and the extent of damage involved. Types of damages may include:

Medical bills,
Lost wages,
Future lost income,
Continuing medical care,
Pain and suffering,
Permanent injuries,
Disfigurement, and
Emotional distress.

In some cases, punitive damages may be available when the injury was caused intentionally, through malice, or wanton conduct.

Time Limit for Personal Injury Lawsuits

Under North Carolina law, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury claim. If you file your claim after the “statute of limitations,” your claim may be denied.

However, there may be exceptions or extensions to the time limit. There may be exceptions when the injury victim is a minor or the injury was not discovered until later. This is why it is important to talk to an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your claim must be filed in time or your claim may be denied.