Car accidents are traumatic experiences, and victims often have significant physical and emotional injuries. If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be wondering if you can expect to receive compensation for your damages.
This is a valid concern because while car accidents happen in a split second, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Here are four factors affecting your ability to seek compensation and how to maximize your chances of receiving a fair settlement:
1. North Carolina is a fault-based state
In a fault-based state, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for any damages or injuries that result from the crash. Therefore, if you are not at fault for the accident, you may seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
2. There’s a statute of limitations on claims
A statute of limitations is a specified timeframe for filing your claim. In most cases, you must file your claim three years from the accident date. However, this rule has some exceptions: the earlier you act, the higher chance of better compensation.
3. The extent of your losses affects your claim
Another factor to consider is the extent of your damages. To receive compensation, you must be able to demonstrate you suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
4. You may be entitled to more than one type of compensation
In North Carolina, victims of car accidents are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages refer to intangible losses, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
If you’re a motor vehicle accident victim, it’s important to remember that you aren’t powerless. Instead, it would help if you familiarized yourself with the facts of your case to increase your chances of compensation.
