You can sue for permanent disability caused by a car crash if the accident happened due to another person’s negligence. With a lawsuit, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, reductions in your lifetime earning capacity, and pain and suffering from your disability.
Rebuilding after becoming disabled is never an easy task, but help is available. A car accident lawyer in Charlotte can assist you in filing an injury claim and fight to recover the money you need to navigate life.
Common Types of Permanent Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the nation and injure millions of people every year. Many of these injuries are minor and will heal with time, but a significant portion cause lasting and permanent damage that never fully heals.
Common permanent injuries from car accidents include the following:
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury. A blow to the head can cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries that permanently impact cognitive and motor function.
- Spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury can cause mobility restrictions or even partial/full paralysis below the site of the injury.
- Crushed or amputated limbs. Crushed limbs can permanently lose functionality, and amputations may require victims to radically alter their daily lives.
- Burns and disfigurement. The discomfort and inconvenience from burns and disfigurement can negatively impact every facet of one’s life.
- Organ damage. Internal injuries from a car accident can cause damage to bodily organs, which may require expensive medication or transplants.
- Vision and hearing loss. The loud sounds and explosive debris from car accidents can cause permanent deafness or blindness.
- Psychological impacts. The psychological scars of an accident can run just as deep as the physical ones, leading to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses.
For a free legal consultation, call (877) 333-1000
Compensation You Can Recover for a Permanent Disability
If you have injuries from a car accident, you can take legal action against the negligent party responsible for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you can recover financial compensation for the following types of losses when you sue for a permanent disability caused by a car crash:
Medical Bills and Continuing Medical Expenses
The emergency medical bills immediately after a car accident can be immense, especially if you require emergency surgery and intensive monitoring. In addition to emergency care, those with permanent disability may face a lifetime of medical treatment.
They may need additional surgeries or extra rehabilitative efforts to recover functionality, or they could require expensive medication. A settlement can contain money to cover your past, current, and future medical expenses.
Loss of Income and Earning Potential
If your disability prevents you from working, you can claim compensation for the missed income you would have earned if you could work. If your injuries prevent you from working entirely or require you to switch to a lower-paying job, you may be able to recover the difference between your pre- and post-injury lifetime earning expenses.
Pain and Suffering
In addition to your explicit financial losses, you can also sue for the pain and suffering associated with your disabling injuries. This refers to the psychological and emotional consequences of debilitating injuries, like physical pain, discomfort, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Loss of Quality of Life
A permanent injury can prevent you from engaging in activities you enjoy or make daily functioning more difficult. A settlement from a lawsuit can reflect the differences in your pre- and post-injury quality of life.
Punitive Damages
North Carolina allows punitive damages in personal injury cases where the offender’s conduct showed malice or reckless disregard for others’ safety.
In cases where injuries are so severe that they cause permanent disability, a court might award punitive damages to punish the offender’s behavior.
How Long Do I Have to Sue for Permanent Disability?
According to North Carolina’s personal injury statute of limitations, you typically have three years from the injury date to sue for permanent disability caused by a car crash. Three years may sound like a significant amount of time, but building a strong case may take months or even years.
By contacting a personal injury attorney, you can get started on your case as soon as possible, minimizing the chances of payment delays and complications.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte
Your life may be forever changed after sustaining a severe injury, but there are options for relief. DeMayo Law Offices has been representing the injured for over 30 years and has recovered over $1 billion for injury victims. We can be your advocate and provide guidance while you navigate life with a disability.
Still have questions about suing for a permanent disability caused by a car crash? Contact our offices online or reach out online to see how a car accident lawyer in Charlotte can help you.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
