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You may be entitled to compensation if you were recently injured in a car crash. A Hickory personal injury lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can investigate your accident to identify who is responsible and build a case against them.
If you live in Hickory, NC, or elsewhere in Catawba County, we have a car accident lawyer who may be able to help. We offer free case evaluations, so once we understand the nature of your case, we can pursue the compensation you need.
We have recovered over $100 million for clients across North Carolina and have extensive experience with motor vehicle accident claims. Contact us today to speak to a Hickory car accident lawyer about your legal options.
Our Personal Injury Team Can Manage Your Case While You Recover
Life can feel chaotic after an automobile accident, especially if you are recovering from injuries. If you are considering filing a claim or lawsuit, you might soon realize the amount of work involved with building a case ready for litigation—from collecting evidence to knowing who to contact in the first place.
Our legal team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can manage your case for you. You do not have to handle this on your own, particularly if you are still coping with your injuries.
A personal injury lawyer from our team can help you by:
- Reviewing the police report about your car accident, which might indicate the at-fault party.
- Investigating your car accident to see if other parties might have contributed to the collision and thus may be held liable.
- Analyzing insurance policies to identify policy limits and coverage exclusions.
- Collecting evidence to support your claims about who caused the accident and the damages you experienced.
- Working with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to recreate the crash timeline and scene.
- Handling communications with the insurance companies, attorneys, and other involved parties.
- Gathering witness statements from individuals who saw the accident occur.
- Representing you during insurance negotiations and mediation or arbitration.
- Presenting your case at trial, if necessary.
Common Auto Accident Injuries in Hickory
Car accidents frequently cause severe injuries that may incur exorbitant medical expenses. Even a minor rear-end collision or parking lot accident can cause lasting complications.
Common auto accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries.
- Bruises and soft tissue injuries.
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Concussions and traumatic brain injury.
- Vertebral and spinal injury.
- Blunt force trauma to the torso.
- Face, eye, and mouth injuries.
- Vision and hearing damage.
- Internal injuries and organ damage.
- Amputations and crushing injuries.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Getting medical care should be your priority after an accident, even if you feel okay in the immediate aftermath. Insurance adjusters may use delays in treatment to deny claims, and you’ll need formal documentation to prove your injuries.
We Can Help You Calculate the Value of Your Car Accident Case
While many car accident cases share similar elements, the value of each claim depends on the specific impact the injuries have on your life. For example, a leg injury might impact a person’s career more if their work requires them to be on their feet rather than sitting at a desk.
When calculating the value of your case, you must consider every possible variable. Once your case settles, you will not be able to pursue additional compensation, even if new damages come up.
A car accident lawyer in Hickory will understand which damages may be compensable and determine an appropriate amount to pursue.
We Consider Your Economic Damages
Economic damages already have a financial value, so our team might first request any information that can prove the car accident’s financial impact on your life. These damages encompass:
- Costs of emergency medical treatment and continuing medical bills.
- Lost wages and benefits you lost as a result of being injured (e.g., taking unpaid time off).
- Mileage costs to travel to medical appointments.
- The difference in potential salary if your injuries forced you to take a lower-paying work position or forego job opportunities (referred to as “reduced earning capacity”).
We Consider the Physical and Emotional Losses You Experienced
Compensation for non-monetary losses is referred to as non-economic damages. These losses may have more of a physical, emotional, and mental effect on your life and may include:
- Physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Permanent disability or loss of bodily function (e.g., vision or hearing loss).
- Psychological trauma.
- Emotional anguish.
- Physical disfigurement.
- Loss of joy in former hobbies and activities due to your injuries.
- Diminished quality of life.
Contrary to many other states, North Carolina does not limit non-economic damages in personal injury claims.
Courts Might Award Punitive Damages for Egregious Conduct
In some cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages for your injuries. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the offender, not compensate you for losses. Courts can award punitive damages if the liable party acted with one or more of the following:
- Malice
- Fraud
- Willful and wanton conduct
Punitive damages in North Carolina are normally capped at $250,000 or three times your compensatory damages, but an exception exists for accidents involving intoxicated drivers.
If a drunk driver causes an accident with you, a court can assign any amount of punitive damages it deems justified. A Hickory DWI accident lawyer can help further determine the type of damages you may recover after a drunk driving accident.
You May Pursue Additional Damages if You Lost a Loved One in the Accident
If your loved one passed away in a car accident, you and other qualifying surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for the following:
- Costs to pay for funeral services and the method of choice to lay your loved one to rest (e.g., burial or cremation)
- Loss of income from your loved one if they financially contributed to the family
- Loss of parental guidance and/or companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
No amount of money can truly make up for the pain of loss. But a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and help you find closure while navigating life’s difficult circumstances.
North Carolina Contributory Negligence Laws and Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury law in North Carolina uses a contributory negligence rule to assess damages and shared liability. According to contributory negligence, you cannot recover compensation for an injury if you are partially at fault.
This means that if you are in any degree responsible for the crash, you can’t file a claim to recover your losses. Even if you were just 1% at fault, the state’s harsh shared liability laws will bar you from financial redress.
Insurance companies will look for any reason to blame you for your injuries, so you need an experienced lawyer on your side. A Hickory car accident lawyer can present your claim in a way that highlights your lack of fault and push back against attempts to shift liability.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Hickory
The shock and adrenaline after a car crash can impede decision-making, but you need to take action to lay a strong foundation for your claim. Below is a quick guide on what to do after a car accident in Hickory:
Document the Scene
Take photos and video recordings of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Make a note of other contributing accident factors, such as weather or road conditions.
You’ll also need to get the other driver’s contact and insurance company information. If possible, request a copy of the police report from the responding law enforcement officer.
See a Doctor
See a doctor as soon as possible to have your injuries evaluated. You’ll need proof of medical care when you file a claim with the insurance company, so the more documentation, the better.
Request copies of any diagnostic tests, imaging results, lab reports, doctors’ notes, discharge paperwork, and hospital bills.
Find an Auto Accident Lawyer
Contact an auto accident lawyer so they can initiate the formal claims process and gather additional evidence to prove your case.
A lawyer can also address further legal challenges arising from multiple insurance policies or liability in multi-car accidents.
Hickory Car Accident Lawsuits Have a Time Limit
According to GS §1-52, you generally have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a general timeline, and certain factors might extend or toll this deadline, such as whether your case involves a minor or a local government entity.
North Carolina has a separate statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving the death of an individual. If you are filing on behalf of your late loved one, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, per GS §1-53.
Start Your Personal Injury Case Sooner Rather Than Later
The consequences for failing to file your case on time are straightforward:
- If you fail to meet the statutory deadline, a judge may dismiss your case upon its submission or after the opposing side requests its dismissal.
- If your case gets dismissed, you will be barred from pursuing compensation through litigation.
- If you lose your opportunity to pursue compensation, you would have to cover your damages yourself, including new damages that arise in the future.
It may be in your interest to file as soon as possible, as other aspects of your case may be under time constraints. Key pieces of evidence, such as surveillance footage or witnesses’ memories, may not be available or reliable after a certain amount of time.
Once you become our client, we can take action to retrieve evidence and submit your case on time.
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, for a Free Consultation on Your Car Accident Case!
If you suffered bodily injuries or property damage in a vehicle collision, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver or another liable party. Let a Hickory car accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, review your case—which we’ll do for free.
A member of our team can start working on your case right after you call us. Our firm serves Hickory and the surrounding areas in North Carolina, so do not hesitate to begin your legal journey with us today.
