An unexpected injury can turn a person’s life upside down. Expensive medical bills, a loss of income due to being out of work, and a lesser quality of life while healing can cause serious financial issues, depression, anxiety, or worse for someone. It feels even worse if the accident wasn’t your fault. If someone else is at fault for your injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation. It is important to understand personal injury law first, though.
- There Is a Statute of Limitations
One of the most important things to understand about personal injury law Jacksonville NC is that there is a statute of limitations. This means that you must file any lawsuit within a certain amount of time. In North Carolina, the plaintiff has three years from the date of his or her accident to file a lawsuit in civil court. If you do not file within that amount of time, then you will not receive compensation.
- There Is a Shared Fault Clause
In North Carolina, the defendant can claim that the plaintiff shares the fault of an accident. If the court agrees that the plaintiff is also liable, it may affect the amount of received compensation by a percentage. If the plaintiff is deemed 30% responsible, he or she loses 30% of the compensation. However, if the plaintiff is 50% or more responsible, he or she cannot receive compensation at all.
- There Are Different Rules for Government Involvement
If the plaintiff is filing a personal injury lawsuit against the government in North Carolina, he or she must adhere to a different set of rules. While the plaintiff still has three years to file a claim, it must be done with the state’s Industrial Commission rather than through a traditional court system. Other factors may vary as well, depending on the type of injury and the extent.
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you need a good attorney on your side. Look for a licensed, reputable, and experienced attorney to help you file your claim.
