Hickory Personal Injury Lawyers

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.

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.

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.