At McIver Law Firm, we understand the pain and uncertainty that comes with personal injury. Accidents are overwhelming and unexpected, leaving victims feeling helpless and unsure of where to turn.
But you don’t have to face it alone. Our Lewisville personal injury lawyer is here to guide you through the process, champion your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you’re involved in a personal injury case, your first step should be to call us at 336-727-9886.
Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Personal Injury Case?
In a world where self-reliance is often promoted, you may be wondering why you need a lawyer for your personal injury case. The truth is, while you’re nursing your injuries, insurance companies are looking for ways to pay as little as possible. They have skilled legal teams working tirelessly on their side, shouldn’t you have the same?
An experienced Lewisville personal injury attorney, like us at McIver Law Firm, will help you understand the complex legal processes, navigate the negotiation landscape, and ensure you don’t miss out on what you are rightfully owed. We take on the burden of paperwork, legal discourse, and insurance company tactics, so you can focus on recovery.
How Much is My Case Worth?
The value of your case largely depends on the specifics of the injury and the impact it has had on your life. Factors considered include medical costs, future medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses. Emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering are also accounted for in your claim.
At McIver Law Firm, we understand the importance of thorough case evaluation. We delve deep into the details to ensure every single element of your suffering is accounted for and translated into the monetary compensation you need and deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lewisville Personal Injury Lawyer?
This question often surfaces when victims consider hiring a personal injury attorney. Our Lewisville personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
We don’t want you to stress over legal fees when you’re already grappling with the fallout of an accident. Our success hinges on yours, aligning our goals with yours – to secure the best possible outcome.
What Should I Do After a Personal Injury?
If you’ve been involved in an accident, it’s important to take specific steps to protect your rights and lay the foundation for a successful personal injury claim. The following are critical steps to take:
Call the Police
Regardless of the perceived severity of the accident, calling the police should always be your first step. Their official report serves as an impartial record of the incident and will be vital evidence in your claim. The officers will document the scene, gather preliminary witness statements, and often make an initial determination of fault.
Do Not Admit Fault
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to feel disoriented or even guilty. However, never admit fault at the scene. Fault is a complex legal determination based on a multitude of factors and should be left to legal and insurance professionals to decide. Any premature admission can significantly impact your case and potentially be used against you.
Document the Scene
If it’s safe to do so, take photographs or videos of the accident scene from multiple angles, capturing the positions of the vehicles, visible injuries, and property damage. The visual evidence you gather can provide crucial context to your claim. Additionally, collect names and contact information of any witnesses; their testimonies could be beneficial in establishing the facts of the case.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, it’s paramount to seek medical attention. The adrenaline rush often masks pain, and some injuries may not manifest symptoms until much later. Having medical records linking your injuries to the accident is essential for your claim.
Never Talk to Insurance Companies Alone
An insurance adjuster might approach you with a settlement offer. Remember, their job is to minimize payouts. Accepting a quick, lowball settlement might leave you with medical bills and other costs uncovered. It’s advisable to consult your attorney before communicating with the insurance company to ensure you don’t undermine your claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Near You ASAP
As soon as you can, contact us at McIver Law Firm. Our team of Lewisville personal injury lawyer is ready to protect your rights and work towards obtaining the compensation you deserve. The sooner you engage us, the sooner we can start gathering evidence, talking with witnesses, and building your case.
Remember, each personal injury case is unique, and these guidelines should not replace professional legal advice. The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of an accident can significantly impact the success of your claim. At McIver Law Firm, we’re here to guide you through each step and help secure a favorable outcome for your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
The timeframe for filing a personal injury claim varies by state. In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, exceptions and nuances exist, which is why it’s crucial to seek legal counsel promptly after an accident to protect your rights.
Our expert Lewisville personal injury lawyers will ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate deadline to avoid forfeiture of your right to compensation.
How is Negligence Determined in a Personal Injury Case?
Establishing negligence is the cornerstone of any personal injury claim. This process involves substantiating four key elements: Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages.
Duty
Every individual has a legal duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others. This duty varies depending on the circumstances. For instance, a driver has an obligation to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly to ensure the safety of others on the road.
Breach
A breach happens when the defendant fails to meet their duty of care. Using the same example, if a driver chooses to text while driving, resulting in distraction and disregard for traffic laws, they’ve breached their duty.
Causation
Causation is a legal link between the defendant’s breach of duty and your injury. This is often the most challenging element to prove, as it requires demonstrating that your injury would not have occurred but for the defendant’s actions. At McIver Law Firm, we’re adept at utilizing both factual and legal strategies to effectively establish causation.
Damages
Damages refer to the physical, emotional, or financial harm you’ve suffered as a result of the injury. These damages must be verifiable, whether they’re medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
How Do You Prove Negligence?
Proving negligence requires a deep understanding of the law and a strategic approach to evidence gathering. This process can involve sourcing a wide range of materials, such as police reports, photographs, video footage, witness testimonies, and medical records. Expert testimony from doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals may also be necessary to strengthen your case.
Our law firm has a dedicated team that specializes in compiling, scrutinizing, and utilizing this evidence to craft a persuasive case in your favor.
What Type Damages Are Recoverable?
When you’re the victim of a personal injury, the law allows you to recover three types of damages: Economic, Non-Economic, and Punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for financial losses incurred as a result of the injury. This includes tangible costs such as medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and any future earning potential impacted by your injury.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide financial recompense for the unseen, emotional toll of an injury. These can encompass the mental anguish and heartache experienced, the inability to pursue certain activities, and the impact on relationships and familial bonds.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded in every case. Their purpose is to serve as a stern admonishment to the defendant for their severe or heedless actions, sending a strong message to deter similar behavior moving forward.
How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?
The length of a personal injury case can vary greatly depending on factors like the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and the level of dispute over who is at fault.
Generally, a case can take anywhere from a few months to several years. We understand that this process can be stressful, and we work diligently to expedite the process without compromising the quality of your representation.
Will I Have to Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, it may be necessary to take the case to trial. While this can extend the duration of your case, sometimes it’s the best or only way to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Rest assured, our team at McIver Law Firm prepares for every case as if it’s going to trial, equipping us to robustly represent your interests should it be necessary.
What is the Personal Injury Claim Process?
The personal injury claim process can be intricate and lengthy. It typically begins with filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. Then a demand letter outlining the facts of the case and the compensation sought is sent. Following this, there’s a period of negotiation where settlement proposals are evaluated. Settlement conferences may be scheduled to facilitate a resolution.
If a settlement isn’t reached, the case proceeds to trial. Throughout this entire process, we ensure our clients are well-informed and their interests are fiercely advocated for. Our Lewisville personal injury lawyers will guide you every step of the way, ensuring the best possible resolution of your personal injury claim.
Schedule a Consultation With the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Lewisville
Navigating a personal injury claim can be daunting, but you’re not alone. At McIver Law Firm, we commit to fighting relentlessly for your rights and the compensation you deserve. For expert guidance and dedicated representation, reach out to us at 336-727-9886.
We proudly serve both Winston-Salem, NC, and Lewisville, NC, providing our clients with the compassionate, personalized legal service they deserve. With McIver Law Firm, you’re in capable hands. Let us be your voice in the fight for justice.
