AI Insights Key Takeaways
- In North Carolina, you generally have 3 years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit — and 2 years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim.
- North Carolina uses pure contributory negligence: being found even 1% at fault can bar you from recovering anything — one of the strictest fault rules in the country.
- You typically pay nothing up front. Schehr Law PLLC works on contingency — no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- Schehr Law is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina and handles the full range of injury claims, from car and truck crashes to catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
General information, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to an attorney about yours.
After any type of personal injury accident, your financial security and even your physical recovery may depend on the results your personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, gets for you. The right attorney can mean the difference between being made financially whole so you can afford the best medical care and sinking under the weight of the financial burden.
For a Charlotte accident and injury attorney who can skillfully navigate the legal nuances and present a strong case that maximizes your chances of a favorable outcome, choose Schehr Law PLLC. We’re standing by to take up your cause and begin building your case. To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.
Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for an Accident Claim in Charlotte, NC?
Professional legal guidance is always valuable in a legal matter, including a personal injury claim for compensation. In North Carolina, the intricacies of personal injury law can be especially complex.
The state’s contributory negligence rule, which bars recovery if a plaintiff is even slightly at fault for their own injury, poses particular challenges. Without the assistance of a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, you’re at risk of the defendant’s insurance company unfairly placing the blame on you and preventing you from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
Even if the insurer doesn’t dispute liability, it has other means of reducing payouts, including:
- Offering quick settlements that are unfairly low
- Delaying claims so you feel pressured to accept less than you deserve
- Twisting your statements to dispute the severity of your injury or its effects on your life
- Asking you to submit forms through which you could unknowingly forfeit your rights, including the right to seek compensation
With our adept negotiation skills, a Charlotte accident and injury attorney at Schehr Law PLLC can deal with all insurance companies on your behalf, protecting you from the tactics insurers commonly use to reduce payouts and making your case less stressful.
Your Right to Personal Injury Compensation in North Carolina
North Carolina law allows victims injured by another party’s negligence to pursue compensation to help them recover financially from their injuries.
The Process of Getting the Compensation You Deserve
For a successful personal injury claim, it is crucial to prove the negligence of the party at fault for your accident. This means demonstrating the following:
- The responsible party had a duty to ensure safety or prevent harm
- This party breached this duty
- Their negligence directly caused your injury and subsequent losses
Compensation for personal injuries can be secured in court or out of court, through settlement negotiations or a trial. Finding success through either avenue requires a strong case, backed by evidence, that demonstrates the defendant’s negligence and fully conveys your damages.
Navigating the complex world of personal injury compensation can be daunting. There are legal documents to file, deadlines to meet, and evidence to gather. To secure the full compensation you’re entitled to, selecting the right personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, is crucial. At Schehr Law PLLC, we are here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
The different damages for which you may be able to receive compensation in a personal injury case include:
- Medical expenses, such as costs for emergency treatment, hospital stays, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to the injury
- Lost wages, such as wages lost while off work to recover from your injury and, in severe cases, loss of earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous employment
- Pain and suffering compensation, which acknowledges and provides restitution for non-economic damages like the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
- Property damage compensation, including the costs of repairs or replacement of personal property damaged as a result of the accident
The compensation your personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, recovers for you doesn’t just cover your immediate medical costs. Your settlement or award will cover a wide range of losses and damages to restore you as much as possible to the condition you were in before the injury occurred.
How Schehr Law PLLC Can Help Injured Victims and Their Families
You need a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, who is prepared to handle your case with skill and efficiency, helping you avoid potential pitfalls in the claims process and secure the compensation you deserve. At Schehr Law PLLC, we understand the intricacies involved in these cases and are committed to securing beneficial outcomes for our clients.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Can Assist You With
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can assist you with all types of personal injury matters, including the following.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases. Car accidents arise out of numerous causes, ranging from distracted driving to drunk driving, and they occur in environments ranging from highways to city streets.
Motor vehicle accidents also involve rideshare vehicles such as Uber and Lyft as well as trucks and motorcycles. Claims can arise out of crashes between motor vehicles of any kind and pedestrians or bicycles.
Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall cases are prevalent personal injury claims. Property owners (or renters) have a legal duty to keep their premises safe and free from hazards. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, the property owner can be held liable.
Common causes of slip and falls include wet floors, icy walkways, and uneven flooring. Not all injuries on someone else’s property lead to liability, but a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can evaluate all the facts and determine whether you have a claim.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional, through a negligent act or omission, injures a patient. Proving medical malpractice requires you to establish that the healthcare provider’s actions deviated from the standard of care expected in the medical community. These complex cases often involve errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management and require the knowledge of an experienced attorney.
Workplace Accidents
Employers are obligated to provide a safe working environment, and when an employee is injured at work, they may be entitled to compensation. Injuries on the job can give rise to workers’ compensation claims and, in some instances, third-party personal injury claims.
Defective Products
When consumer products are defectively designed or manufactured, or they lack adequate warnings, the manufacturer or seller can be held liable for any injuries these products cause. Product liability claims can involve anything from defective vehicle parts to unsafe pharmaceuticals.
Assault and Battery
Unlike most personal injury claims, which are based on negligence, assault and battery are intentional torts. Victims of these crimes may be able to file a civil suit against the perpetrator for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Schehr Law PLLC, we understand the challenges victims face following all of the different types of personal injury matters. We are committed to fighting relentlessly for the compensation our clients deserve.
Our Proven Approach to Winning Personal Injury Claims
When the legalities and insurance complexities that are involved in the aftermath of an accident compound the physical and emotional toll serious injuries take on your life, the whole situation can feel overwhelming. That’s where the skills and knowledge of a seasoned Charlotte accident and injury attorney at Schehr Law PLLC become invaluable.
Our team has a reputation for getting our clients maximum compensation. We accomplish these results through a strategic approach informed by our considerable experience.
When you work with Schehr Law PLLC’s personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, our process includes:
- Initial consultation: During a free consultation, we evaluate the facts, discuss the specifics of your case, and plan our strategy for securing you compensation.
- Claim filing: We initiate the process of pursuing compensation for you by filing a claim against the responsible party or their insurance company. Throughout this process, we handle paperwork, represent you in all proceedings, and, if needed, file a complaint to commence litigation.
- Settlement negotiations: Before going to trial, there’s often a phase of negotiation to reach a fair settlement. When it’s possible to secure the compensation you deserve through an out-of-court settlement, there can be significant advantages to avoiding the expense of a trial.
- Trial: Schehr Law PLLC will always take the option of going to trial if the need arises. We don’t shy away from the demands of arguing your case in court before a judge or jury when that path offers the best likelihood of recovering fair compensation for you.
- Resolution: Not only will Schehr Law PLLC work tirelessly to retrieve a settlement or a win at trial, but we will also go the extra mile by negotiating with medical providers and insurance companies to reduce your medical bills. Reducing your bills increases your financial recovery.
A dedicated personal injury attorney from Schehr Law PLLC not only understands the intricacies of the law but also ensures that your rights are protected and that you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Why Choose Schehr Law PLLC?
Why undertake the legal process alone when you have a formidable advocate and trusted guide in Schehr Law PLLC? Our team brings to each case personalized service, a commitment to advocacy, and easy access to your attorney when needed.
Personalized, Compassionate Client Service
As part of the Schehr Law PLLC family, you’ll never feel like just another case number. You’re a valued client, and you deserve personalized service and a commitment to getting justice for your injuries. We’re dedicated to providing personalized service throughout your claim and, during your most challenging moments, being the legal partner you need to listen to your story and champion your cause.
Aggressive Advocacy and Representation
You can count on Schehr Law PLLC to fight relentlessly for the best outcome for you. Taking on defendants, insurance companies, and their attorneys requires aggressive advocacy and tough negotiations. You need someone who is dedicated to getting you results.
Unrivaled Access to Your Attorney
At some of the big law firms, you may never even meet or interact with the attorney who is handling your claim. That’s not the case with Schehr Law PLLC. Firm founder M. Christopher Schehr, Esq., provides individualized attention to each client. Our team is available by phone and email after hours to ensure you can always reach help when you need it.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations
Under North Carolina law, injured victims generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, as outlined in the North Carolina General Statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do after a personal injury accident?
If you are injured, immediately contact 911 to get medical attention. Take detailed pictures and videos of the accident scene and your injuries. Follow your doctor’s orders as closely as possible. Do not stop treating until you feel you are recovered. Keep all receipts pertaining to medical bills and lost wages. Contact an experienced Charlotte, NC personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
How do I know if my situation warrants contacting an attorney?
If an individual, professional, or company committed negligence or recklessness that resulted in your injury, that is reason enough to contact an attorney. After an injury, it is not always immediately obvious how it could affect your life. A seasoned personal injury attorney has the experience to recognize the potential long-term effects of your injury.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. The fee is based on a percentage of how much the attorney can recover for you. At Schehr Law PLLC, we have a No Fee Guarantee — we will not charge any fees unless we win for you.
What is the statute of limitations in North Carolina?
Personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of three years from the date of the accident. The time period changes to two years for wrongful death actions. If you do not file suit by the statute of limitations date, you will be barred from recovery.
What if I am partially at fault for the accident in North Carolina?
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. This means that if you are even one percent at fault in the accident, all recovery can be barred. One doctrine called the last clear chance rule may apply and allow for recovery despite you being partially at fault.
Will an attorney increase my settlement?
Attorneys are not allowed to make promises or guarantee any results. However, injured people who hire an attorney often recover more than those who negotiate with the insurance company on their own.
How long does it take to get a personal injury settlement?
It relies entirely on how complex the case is. As a general rule, if the injuries are minor and all evidence is presented to the negligent party, the case can likely be completed within 3-4 months. If a lawsuit must be filed, the case can take much longer, even several years.
Can my attorney accept a settlement for me in my case?
Absolutely not. An attorney is bound by the ethical rules of North Carolina. According to those rules, the client holds the keys to settle. Your attorney can never accept a settlement unless you advise your attorney that you will accept the offer.
Contact a Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Having an ally like Schehr Law PLLC on your side can make the pivotal difference between ending up with less than you deserve and securing maximum compensation for all of your damages. The combination of our proven track record in Charlotte and our deep understanding of North Carolina’s legal landscape sets our firm apart. For help, contact Schehr Law PLLC online or call (704) 900-0336 today.