Common Injuries After Car Accidents in North Carolina

Being in a car accident is always a startling event. With so many motorists traveling in North Carolina and across the United States, a car accident could occur at any moment. Being a victim of a car crash can result in various injuries, like back pains, whiplash, or concussions. These injuries could keep you from working and leave you stuck with outrageous medical bills. You should not have to endure the burdens of being involved in a car accident due to the mistakes of a negligent driver. The Charlotte car accident lawyers at the Ramsay Law Firm are here to discuss common injuries in car accidents and the possible cause of action you may have. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Types of Injuries Caused by Car Crashes

A vehicle collision can be responsible for a variety of injuries. If you have been the victim in a serious car accident, it is possible that you have sustained one or more of the following injuries:

• Whiplash, which is often caused in rear-end car accidents where the victim’s head or neck suddenly whips forward due to the sudden impact
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken/fractured bones
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Severe bruises
• Back injuries

After you have been involved in a collision it is always a good idea to seek medical attention for any injuries, even if you believe that you have not sustained any injuries. Certain injuries, like a concussion or nerve damage, may not rear its head immediately and could be the cause of serious health issues down the road. Additionally, going to see a doctor after being in a car accident can help document your medical issues should you decide to file a personal injury claim.

When to File an Auto Accident Claim

Every state in the United States has its own laws regarding the amount of time you have to file a certain type of lawsuit. This law is known as the statute of limitations. Car accident claims in North Carolina are considered a personal injury lawsuit. The time limit to file a personal injury claim in a North Carolina court is three years from the date of the injury. If you fail to file your case within those three years, North Carolina courts are very likely to refuse to hear your case.

The statute of limitations only applies to the amount of time that you have to file your case with a North Carolina court, it does not dictate how long the case must take to be adjudicated. For example, if you file your case a year after your injury and the case itself takes three years to resolve, this is not a violation of the statute of limitations.

There are several reasons to consider filing your car accident lawsuit as soon as possible, such as:

• The memories of any witnesses to the accident will be fresh
• Any evidence that you require to prove your case will be readily available instead of lost or destroyed
• Receiving compensation as soon as possible to deal with your medical bills and supplement your income if you had to take time away from work

Damages Available for Car Accidents in NC

Determining who is responsible for a car accident is necessary to ascertain the number of damages to award a victim of a car accident. North Carolina law requires all drivers to carry a minimum car insurance policy on any car they own or drive. This law makes it possible for policy owners to pay for bodily injury and property damage when they become responsible for a car accident. These are the minimum coverage requirements for insurance policies in North Carolina:

• $30,000 for the injury or death of a single individual
• $60,000 total for all damages sustained for all persons from a single-car crash
• $25,000 for any property damage caused during the car accident

North Carolina also has a cap on damages for certain types of injury cases, such as medical malpractice cases and punitive damages, or cases against certain defendants. Otherwise, injured victims in North Carolina can be paid for non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress.

There are no damage caps for personal injury cases in North Carolina, meaning if you win a personal injury claim based on a car accident your compensatory damages will not be limited.

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, you should consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney.

NC Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help File Your Car Accident Claim

The Charlotte personal injury attorneys at the Ramsay Law Firm possess over a decade of experience in handling car accident cases. Our firm has worked tirelessly to help residents of North Carolina in receiving just compensation for their car accident injures and will work tirelessly to represent you. If you wish to schedule a free consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys, call us today at (704) 376-1616.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.