Every day in Hickory, North Carolina, the poor decisions of others can lead to life-altering or fatal injuries to you or your family.
Although some accidents may be unavoidable, in many cases, these events could have been prevented. We help you hold those who disrupted your life in minor or even severe ways accountable for their negligence, whether from a motor vehicle accident, dog bite, dangerous drug, or a defective product.
After a severe accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, financial support for appropriate medical care, and damaged property replacement for yourself and your loved ones.
The personal injury attorneys at North and South Carolina DeMayo Law Offices are prepared to help. Our personal injury attorneys have the legal knowledge and experience necessary to fight successfully on your behalf.
Your personal injury claim cannot undo the pain that you have suffered during a serious accident. However, this money will help protect your finances and your future during this difficult time.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Hickory, call (877) 333-1000
Why do you need a personal injury lawyer?
After a severe injury, you do not have the time or energy to spend teaching yourself the law and learning to navigate the legal system. Furthermore, any mistakes during your legal representation or personal injury lawsuit could jeopardize your ability to receive compensation. When you are facing so much pressure, you must work with a personal injury attorney who will fight on your behalf.
A legal professional on your side will advocate for your needs, provide much-needed support and counsel, gather essential evidence to build the strongest case, negotiate with the parties involved, and help you receive the best compensation possible.
Some reasons to call us:
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The severity of your injury
If you were severely injured in your accident, you should contact DeMayo Law Offices immediately. Medical bills are likely piling up, and you may be facing lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. If the injury caused you to lose your job, hiring an experienced attorney could save you and your family from experiencing a lifetime of financial stress and damages. An experienced personal injury attorney will fight for the compensation needed to make you whole again.
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The insurance company denied your claim
While the entire purpose of an insurance company is to protect you, insurance companies are for-profit organizations that will try to reduce your payout as much as feasible, or deny your claim altogether. Insurance companies can also delay your claim, leaving you in financial limbo while medical expenses roll in. Most insurance companies are aware that you may not know exactly how the system works, which may allow them to take advantage of you.
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Multiple parties were Involved
If various parties were involved in the accident, and more than one individual may be responsible for your injuries, we will work diligently to ensure you receive the appropriate compensation from every party involved. You may be additionally concerned that the fault is unclear in your accident. Your personal injury attorney will launch a full investigation into your accident to determine fault and build a strong case on your behalf.
Personal injury law encompasses a vast number of different accidents and injuries which may result from another person’s negligence. Every type of accident comes with its own set of regulations, deadlines, and other complexities, making it extremely difficult to understand how to file your claim.
Experience. Objectivity. Knowledge.
- Extensive experience in personal injury law
- High-quality legal advice and representation no matter the circumstances
- Individualized and compassionate care
- A partner to update you throughout the process so you feel understood and supported
- Free initial consultation on your case, so you can get to know our team and see how we will fight for you
The personal injury lawyers at the North and South Carolina DeMayo Law Offices have seen nearly every kind of claim throughout our 150 years of combined legal experience representing injured individuals.
We have handled more than 125,000 cases and know that no two are exactly alike. We are prepared for any type of case that may come our way, no matter how obscure or complicated.
While DeMayo Law Offices is prepared to handle all types of personal injury cases, a few cases
we have successfully litigated in recent years include:
$12,000,000
Confidential – Premises Liability
Settlement for wrongful death of husband and negligent infliction of emotional distress of wife when husband was killed by falling merchandise at a local warehouse. Client was pronounced dead approximately 15 minutes after the materials fell on him (Mecklenburg County, 2022).
$6,439,500
Automobile Accident/DWI/Dram Shop/Social Host Liability/Wrongful Death
Settlements and judgments for two clients who were killed by a drunk driver going the wrong way and hitting the clients’ vehicle head on (Mecklenburg County, 2009).
$6,000,000
Confidential – Negligent Supervision
Settlement during litigation and prior to trial for a young female client who was seriously injured and paralyzed from the waist down from falling while doing a backbend unsupervised at a recreational center (2016).
$4,400,000
Confidential – Personal Injury
Settlement with multiple defendants for a client (2013).
$3,000,000
Automobile Accident
Settlement for a client who received a serious head injury as well as fractured legs when he was struck by a truck while standing next to his disabled vehicle (Kanawha County, WV, 2013).
$2,200,000
Bus Accident
Settlement after litigation and mediation for a client who was a passenger on a bus when the bus driver fell asleep and caused the bus to collide with a tractor-trailer resulting in serious fractures to client’s neck, hip, and leg (Vance County, 2010).
$2,200,000
Confidential – Truck Unloading
Settlement for a client who was seriously injured when helping a co-worker unload his truck trailer. When client opened the trailer’s door, the load spilled out, knocking client to the ground. Injuries included brain injury and fractures to leg (Rowan County, 2021).
$1,900,000
Truck Accident
Settlement after mediation for a client who was driving his automobile when a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front of him causing serious injuries, including fractures to his arm, leg, and ankle (Mecklenburg County, 2010).
Hickory Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Many North Carolina and South Carolina laws on the books govern how personal injury lawsuits are conducted and paid out, even though the term “personal injury” covers a broad range of incidents.
While specific laws may govern types of accidents, the two broad laws that encompass almost all accident injury claims are the statute of limitation regulations and the contributory negligence rule.
Statute of limitation regulations
North Carolina and South Carolina put a time limit on personal injury lawsuits. In most situations, a victim only has three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim seeking compensation. This statute of limitations covers accidents such as car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, personal property harm, and most negligence claims.
In most instances, the clock starts ticking the day the accident happens. Sometimes, victims may not know if they’ve suffered an injury or complication. Under those circumstances, the clock starts ticking when the injury is discovered or should have been discovered. A claim for medical malpractice must be filed within one year of the injury being discovered or should have reasonably been discovered but no later than four years from the date of injury.
If a victim misses filing their suit within the statute of limitations, the courts will typically dismiss the case without hearing it, leaving the victim with almost no legal recourse.
As with all rules, there are some exceptions to the statute of limitation deadline. If an individual is under the age of 18 at the time of the accident or is declared “insane” or “incompetent,” the clock does not start running until the issue is resolved. That can mean the day a minor turns 18 or when the individual is deemed sane or competent.
Contributory negligence rule
The other regulation that governs almost all North Carolina and South Carolina personal injury claims is called the contributory negligence rule, which stipulates that if an injured victim is in any way to blame or bears even the smallest amount of responsibility for an accident, then they are barred from receiving any form of financial compensation.
This stringent guideline means that if the party responsible for the bulk of the accident can pin any amount of blame on the shoulders of the victim, the victim will receive nothing. Again, this regulation applies to most personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, and slip-and-fall accidents. Having a skilled attorney working on your behalf is the best way to fight back against claims that you were somehow responsible for causing your own accident.
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We have dedicated our lives to understanding personal injury laws, and we know how to manage a wide variety of personal injury petitions, including:
- Car accidents
- Catastrophic injuries
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Dog bites
- Nursing home negligence
- Product liability
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful death
Although this list represents numerous practice areas concerning personal injury, if your accident does not fit within these categories, the North and South Carolina DeMayo Law Offices may still be able to help you seek compensation. We understand that every personal injury litigation is different, and you may face unique circumstances that complicate your case. However, when you work with Your North Carolina Law Firm™, our personal injury lawyers will use their extensive experience to determine the appropriate legal strategy to help you win your case.
Common injuries suffered in
personal injury accidents
The phrase “personal injury accident” is a general legal term encompassing various accidents. The injuries resulting from a personal injury can vary drastically, making every accident unique. Some serious injuries may sideline a person for a few weeks, while others may impact an individual for the rest of their life. The most serious personal injury accidents may also result in wrongful death.
The top five causes of avoidable deaths
in the United States are:
- Poisoning
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Suffocation
- Drowning
The most common injuries that can result from any
type of personal injury accident tend to include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussions
- Neck and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Illness
- Lacerations
- Strains and sprains
- Burns
- Wrongful death
Many of these injuries require hospitalization, surgery, multiple doctor’s visits, and sometimes rehabilitation and physical therapy. The result is typically high medical costs that put a financial strain on the victim and their family. An attorney will be able to review your situation and offer valuable legal advice on the steps you can take to recover compensation for your medical costs.
What compensation is
available for my injury?
When you file a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the damages this accident has caused. The circumstances of your accident and the type of injuries you have experienced will determine how much financial support you may receive. However, the compensation for personal injury claims frequently provides coverage for:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical bills
- Medications and medical devices
- Rehabilitation services
- Mental anguish
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Inability to continue work
- Punitive damages
In the worst possible cases, an accident may lead to the death of a loved one. If you lost someone you loved during an accident, you need to speak to an attorney about filing a wrongful death claim. This type of claim will help you seek additional compensation that is appropriate for your devastating loss. Some of the damages wrongful death claims may cover include:
- End-of-life medical care
- Funeral services, burial, or cremation
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of future income
- Loss of benefits
Our attorneys will help you understand the full extent of an accident’s financial impact on your life. They will help you calculate the amount you should expect from your settlement, and will not allow you to accept less than you deserve. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf for fair compensation, and they will be prepared to take your case to court if necessary.
What is the cost of a personal
injury lawyer?
We are sensitive to the fact that money may be tight following a serious accident. Many people mistakenly assume they can’t afford legal assistance or hire an attorney, when in reality, hiring an attorney may be the best way to get the maximum amount of settlement compensation you are owed – a monetary compensation that will cover the cost of your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
That’s why DeMayo Law Offices works with our clients on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you get paid. We also offer victims a free case evaluation – a no-obligation initial consultation – to review the circumstances of their case and lay out how we may be able to help them resolve their situation.
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FAQs:
We’ve provided a few answers to commonly asked questions about personal injury accidents. However, we’re ready to answer all your questions at a free consultation. Don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary case review.First and foremost, your health and safety must come first after an accident, especially a serious one. Medical care costs are intimidating, especially when you don’t have insurance, but your life comes first. If you require medical treatment, get help.
With that said, an experienced personal injury attorney may be your best resource for understanding your legal options regarding covering the medical bills you may have incurred after an accident. All cases are unique, and the at-fault party’s insurance company may be responsible for covering your medical costs in many situations. You may be able to sue and take the responsible party to court for payment of your medical expenses.
Unfortunately, the bills may begin arriving before a settlement is even reached. A strong attorney who can guide your legal strategy and negotiate aggressively on your behalf could be your best option for recovering the money you need to pay for your medical care. Before trying to pay out of pocket, contact a skilled attorney at the DeMayo Law Offices in Hickory, NC, to review your options.
It may appear intimidating to walk into a legal office and navigate the process. You probably have a million questions running through your mind at any given time after a serious accident.
However, when you are in front of an attorney, all those questions can be answered. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Write down questions as they come to mind, and bring them with you to your consultation.
- For an attorney to evaluate your case, specific information about the accident you were involved in is required. Bring your medical records, insurance paperwork, police report, and other documents or files related to your accident.
- It may also be helpful to write down or record all the details about your accident that you can remember – keep it factual, objective, and honest.
- Bring any contact information for witnesses or the party responsible for the accident. An attorney requires all available information to make accurate and informed decisions about your case and provide the advice you need to guide your next steps.
- It is also helpful to bring a pen and paper to take notes.
Pain and suffering are known as non-economic damages in a personal injury case. Economic damages are measurable losses following an accident. These can include lost income and medical expenses. They are objective and relatively easy to calculate. Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, are different. They are not easy to tabulate and are generally subjective in nature.
Non-economic damages are a way to compensate a victim for their loss of enjoyment or changes to their lifestyle because of an accident.
You may be entitled to pain and suffering, depending on the circumstances of your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer at DeMayo Law Offices will be able to review your situation and determine if pain and suffering may be a part of your overall compensation package.
If you or a loved one are the victims of someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation.
Let the Hickory personal injury lawyers at DeMayo Law Offices put together a fast and effective legal strategy to get you the money to which you are entitled.
Call DeMayo Law Offices at (877) 333-1000 or fill out an online contact form for a free consultation and begin the process of acquiring the monetary compensation you deserve after a tragic accident.
