When to Get a Lawyer in a Personal Injury Case

If you are injured on someone’s property or in an auto accident, it is often a good idea to hire a lawyer. A lawyer can help you receive fair compensation for losses due to your injury and help you navigate complicated contributory negligence laws in North Carolina.

Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Lawsuits

In North Carolina, there are strict time limits on when you can make a personal injury claim or file a personal injury lawsuit. In most situations, the period of time is three years. If three years have passed since the accident occurred, an insurance adjuster or the court will generally refuse to hear your case as the statute of limitations has passed. At this point, there is very little that you can do to receive compensation for any damages you sustained. However, there are a few exceptions.
If the injured person was under age 18 or considered mentally incompetent when the accident occurred, the statute of limitations may be extended. Also, if the responsible party has died or is not present in the state of North Carolina, the statute of limitations may be extended. In these cases N.C.G.S. sections 1-21 and 1-22 may apply.  If your case, however, involves a wrongful death, the statute of limitations is generally only two years.

Don’t risk losing your ability to claim fair and reasonable damages/compensation for your injuries, contact our Jacksonville, NC office today and speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers!