When faced with expensive medical bills and other costs after suffering a spinal cord injury, hiring an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Charlotte can make all the difference. A lawyer familiar with handling these types of cases will work to identify the liable party and help ensure you get the money you need to cover your specific damages.
At Auger & Auger, our firm has been helping injury victims recover since 1995 and our lawyers average 19 years of experience in personal injury law alone. We know the potential consequences of a spinal cord injury and will work diligently to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact us today to set up a free case review with one of our Charlotte personal injury lawyers.
Steps A Charlotte Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Will Take In Your Case
When you hire a spinal cord injury lawyer serving Charlotte after suffering a spinal cord injury, they will take several steps to help you recover the money you need and deserve from the liable party.
The first thing your attorney will do is conduct a thorough investigation of the incident that resulted in your injury, which will involve gathering evidence and proving fault.
Steps your lawyer will likely take as part of this investigation include:
- Visiting the site where you were injured, taking photographs of the scene, and making note of any factors that may have contributed to your injuries
- Hire an accident reconstruction firm when fault is not easily determined by on-scene evidence.
- Interviewing any eyewitnesses to the incident and recording their testimony
- Consulting medical experts and any other professionals who can provide further insight into your injury, how it occurred, and who is to blame
- Collecting and reviewing any accident reports related to the incident
- Reviewing your medical records as they relate to your spinal cord injury
After your lawyer has completed their initial investigation, they will evaluate the full value of the damages you incurred and file a lawsuit or insurance claim on your behalf.
Your attorney will then begin to prepare your case for court. As they work to build a strong case supporting your claim, your lawyer will also engage in settlement negotiations with the opposing party.
Your attorney will try to reach a fair settlement deal that covers your losses and helps to put your life back on track. If a settlement can not be reached, your lawyer will present your case at court, where they will argue to get you the maximum compensation available.
Contributory Negligence In North Carolina
When pursuing compensation for a spinal cord injury in Charlotte, it’s important to understand that North Carolina uses a contributory negligence rule when determining liability. This means you can only recover compensation for your injury if you were completely blameless for the incident that caused you harm.
Even if you were 1% at fault, you will be unable to pursue compensation from the primarily liable party. Because of this harsh standard, it is critical to hire an experienced Charlotte spinal cord injury lawyer who can help prove that you did not share the fault for the incident that led to your injury.
Be Mindful Of The Filing Deadline When Pursuing Compensation
When pursuing compensation after a spinal cord injury, it is critical that you familiarize yourself with all applicable deadlines. In North Carolina, the personal injury statute of limitations is three years, which means you have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
If you fail to take legal action before three years have passed, you may find yourself out of options for pursuing compensation. However, it is always important to speak to an attorney even if you think you have missed your chance to file, as exceptions may apply that permit you to file after the typical three years deadline.
Of course, exceptions can also put further limits on the time you have to file, so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after getting hurt. Hiring a lawyer early will also put them in the best position to collect evidence before it is corrupted or lost and record witness testimony while their memories are still clear.
Financial Compensation You Can Recover After An Accident
Because of the serious nature of spinal cord injuries, the amount you can recover in compensation is often significant. To recover the full amount to which you are entitled, it is critical that you identify all the damages that apply.
Determining the damages you are eligible to pursue on your own can be challenging as every case is unique. That’s why hiring a lawyer familiar with spinal cord injuries is critical.
An experienced attorney will know exactly what to look for as they review the details of your case to ensure they are able to identify all the damages that apply.
All available compensatory damages can be divided into the subcategories of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover all the losses you incurred that directly impacted your financial situation. Some of the most common economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
Non-economic Damages
Instead of focusing on your financial losses, non-economic damages are awarded to help compensate for the impact your injury had on your quality of life. Some of the most common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
Punitive Damages
In addition to the compensatory damages listed above, you may also be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are used as a means of punishing the liable party and discouraging similar behavior in the future. These damages are only awarded in extreme cases involving criminal negligence or intentional harm.
Reach Out To An Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Serving Charlotte Today
After suffering a spinal cord injury, securing the services of an experienced Charlotte spinal cord injury lawyer can be the difference between financial stability and struggling with medical debt. You need a firm that prioritizes personal attention, fights aggressively, and understands the long-term impact of these injuries.
At Auger & Auger, we focus solely on personal injury cases and have been helping accident victims for decades. Our legal team works directly with clients to build strong cases and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today to discuss your case and find out how we can help.
