If you have suffered injuries following an accident that is not your fault, you deserve justice. Subject to the specifics of your case, you need to explore your options for recovering damages. And this includes the possibility of settling your claim out of court.
A significant number of personal injury claims are settled out of court; and there are good reasons for this: out-of-court settlements can save time, reduce costs and help you maintain your privacy. Before accepting an out-of-court settlement, however, it is important that you ask these questions.
What damages have you suffered?
There is no one-size-fits-all out-of-court settlement formula for personal injury claims. To reach a fair settlement for the resulting economic and non-economic damages, you need to understand the dollar value of your damages. For a start, you need to seek treatment so you can come up with a figure for your past and future medical costs. Next, you need to seek a valuation for your property damage. With a clear understanding of the extent of your damages, you will be better placed to navigate a personal injury claim.
Did you contribute to the accident?
If your personal injury claim goes to court and you were even slightly at fault for the accident, you may be at risk of not receiving any compensation. This is because North Carolina applies the doctrine of pure contributory negligence when determining personal injury claims. Per this rule, you may not be awarded any compensation if the court finds that you contributed to the accident in any way.
When someone’s negligence results in your injuries, the law allows you to pursue the liable party for damages. Learning more about North Carolina negligence laws can help you protect your rights and interests while negotiating your personal injury claim.
