You can get injured anywhere by just about anything, but there is no need to go around scared of what might happen. If you take sensible precautions, your chances of getting hurt go down a lot. Even so, sometimes you can get hurt because of something someone else did or failed to do that could have prevented the injury. When that happens, you need a skilled North Carolina personal injury lawyer on your side to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Personal injury is any injury that causes harm to your body, mind, or emotions. If the injury is serious enough to need medical attention, or if it alters your life in some way, there are laws in place to allow you to get compensation. That is when you need a good personal injury lawyer.
The insurance company will try to lower the amount it has to pay, and insurance companies have lawyers ready to help them. This is why you need a personal injury lawyer, to level the playing field. A lawyer who knows how the system works, and who knows the law inside and out, can help you negotiate the system even as you suffer from your injury.
Most personal injuries that require medical attention around Asheville involve vehicles of some kind. The curvy mountain roads around Asheville may contribute to the number of vehicle accidents, especially when the roads get wet or icy.
Types of Accidents
Automobile accidents are the most common personal injury case around Asheville. There are more cars than ever, so the chances of an accident go up. According to the National Safety Council, there were 1412 deaths in 2017 due to automobile accidents.
Commercial truck accidents are the second highest cause of injuries around Asheville. Since trucks are so much bigger than cars, they are likely to do more damage. In recent years there have been 14,000 trucking accidents in North Carolina, with 150 deaths and thousands of injuries. Asheville has two Interstates converging in its borders, and it is one of the most prone areas to accidents in the nation, according to the National Safety Council.
Motorcycles were the third leading cause of injuries in the state. Motorcycles are hard to see, and there is not any protection for the rider if they collide with a car. There were 141 fatalities related to motorcycles in 2017.
Bicycle accidents are another leading cause of personal injury around Asheville. The city and region are becoming a popular area for cyclists, so there are a lot more of them. People get hurt on trails because accidents happen, but they also get hurt when a car’s driver does not see the cyclist and injures him. An average of 22 people die each year in the state due to bicycle accidents, with many more injuries.
Slipping and falling is another major cause of personal injury in North Carolina, and in Asheville. Many of these happen in the workplace and around machinery. They can happen anywhere though, such as on a street or on public steps. Injuries also happen on private property and the same rules apply. When compromises are made about safety, the owner of the property is liable for any injuries that might happen. Keeping property safe, and posting warnings when there are issues, is the responsibility of the property owner.
Traumatic brain injuries are another common personal injury in the Asheville area. Cyclists not wearing a helmet contributes to many of those accidents. Athletes are also in danger of having this injury. These injuries can lead to severe and permanent damage to the victim.
Medical malpractice is responsible for many deaths, as well as injuries. Doctors and surgeons are well trained, but they can still make mistakes. Legal officials estimate there are 250,000 deaths each year in the United States due to medical errors. This can be hard to prove, so you need a team of lawyers to help you if a loved one has died and you think this may have been the cause.
Premises liability. If you are injured on someone else’s property, and no warning signs are posted, the property owner may be liable for your injuries. Property owners are responsible for keeping their property safe. This can also apply to criminal acts such as mugging or assault on property. North Carolina has a “contributing neglect” law that means if the injured person was at all responsible for the accident, even by a very small percentage, no damage may be collected.
Dog bites are another common personal injury. This is especially true when there are a lot of stray dogs in an area. In North Carolina, you have to prove the dog was dangerous. This would involve proving the dog had attacked others before or had been trained to fight. It can be very hard to win a dog bite case.
These are the most common types of injuries around Asheville, and there are many more. You could be the victim of a violent crime. If someone else’s action or lack of action caused that accident, you should seek legal advice.
Need for Lawyers
Laws governing personal injuries and lawsuits can get very complicated. Each state has its quirks. North Carolina’s “contributing neglect” clause is one example of something that could make a case even more complicated.
If you take someone to court, you can be sure their insurance company will have a team of lawyers looking to pick apart your every word and destroy your claim.
This is why you need someone who understands the law on your side to make things equal. You may have a great case, but it must be presented in the best way possible with a deep understanding of all the laws related.
The Journey
Your case will start with a free consultation with lawyers. They will decide whether to take your case and help you decide whether to proceed with your case. The lawyers don’t get paid unless they win. Their payment comes out of the settlement.
Lawsuits seek to recoup medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. The medical bills and wages are a simple matter of calculation. The pain and suffering are more subjective and dependent on what the judge or jury thinks. Future lost wages and future medical expenses can also be part of a settlement.
Most cases are settled before they go to court through negotiations. You need a lawyer who understands the law to help with negotiating a settlement. It is also important to have a lawyer that is willing to take the case to court. Insurance companies are more willing to negotiate if they think the case could eventually go to court.
