Fayetteville Personal Injury Lawyers

Suffering a personal injury can happen in the blink of an eye in many different situations. Grocery shopping, a trip to after-school practice, or a night on the town can all result in injuries and property damage when someone else’s negligence affects your life. Instead of wondering whether you have a case under personal injury law, take action to speak with a professional.

At Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers offer over 60 years of combined experience as attorneys who value the needs of clients above all else. We are committed to helping you achieve full emotional, physical, and financial recovery after you have been hurt by the careless or intentional actions of another person. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more today.

Why You Should Choose Ricci Law Firm for Your Personal Injury Claim

You probably spend a lot of your day focused on maintaining the health of yourself and your loved ones. When someone is hurt, you want to rely on people who understand how important caring for your family is to you. You need legal representation from personal injury lawyers who handle every case with the same care and attention to detail you give to others.

Our team of attorneys is committed to thoroughly investigating your claim and building a robust case. We are tenacious in gathering evidence, developing a personalized strategy, and bringing wrongdoers to justice. We stay in constant communication with you, advising you honestly on the prospects of your case. Our team prepares for court from the first day but works toward achieving a satisfactory settlement as quickly as possible. 

Steps to Take After Suffering a Personal Injury in Fayetteville, NC

When you are hurt from an accident of any kind, you are likely confused, disoriented, and possibly in pain. It can be hard to think clearly and know how to help yourself. Your first thoughts will be about getting medical attention and moving to a safe place.

Our Fayetteville personal injury attorneys can guide you through other actions to help you when you file for an insurance settlement or a jury trial. However, you can begin securing the strength of your case in the minutes after a calamity by following these steps:

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Collecting evidence right away can be critical. If you are too severely injured to manage this, ask someone to assist you. Take photos of as many things as possible, such as your injuries, the causes of your injuries, and anything else in the environment that can tell your story.

For example, if you fell in a store, you may need to document a rug that caused you to slip or the poor lighting in a hallway. Pictures of automobile damage and skid marks can indicate how a car accident happened. When in doubt, photograph or video it because you never know what may help your claim. 

You should also write down the names and contact details of anyone involved in your mishap, as well as any witnesses. If you were hurt in a store, file an accident report and request a copy. Your personal injury lawyer can help you with collecting documentation like this once you have hired them.

Get Checked and Treated by a Medical Practitioner

If first responders are called to the scene, be sure to accept an evaluation and any treatment from them. Do not minimize your injuries or say you are fine. Being treated right away establishes a connection between the accident and your injuries, which is crucial to proving your case. If you are not evaluated at the scene, visit your medical provider within 24 hours.

The individuals or entities at fault for your injuries may try to deflect the blame. They or their insurance companies will look for any evidence to disprove your claim and deny paying you what you deserve. If you do not get treatment where you were injured, make an appointment to see your doctor right away for an assessment of your condition.

When your personal injury lawyers in Fayetteville, NC, have documentation of the severity of your injuries immediately after the accident, it is easier to demonstrate liability against the defendant. 

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm

Once you have been medically treated and are well enough to begin thinking about your accident and who caused it, that is the time to speak with an attorney. In fact, it is critical that you do not delay any more than necessary because the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina is only three years from the date of the injury (with some exceptions).

If you wait too long to get started on your case, your personal injury attorneys in Fayetteville, NC, may not have enough time to prepare your case for the best possible outcome. While the team at Ricci Law Firm is highly skilled and experienced, the longer we have to investigate and build your case, the better your results in court. 

If you delay too much, you could lose your chance to seek financial relief through the courts. Contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation to learn how the statute of limitations applies to your claim. 

Determining Who Is at Fault for Your Injuries

In many cases, more than one party can be held liable for your injuries. For example, suppose you are making a right turn on a green light at the intersection of Rowan Street and Ramsey Street but must brake suddenly when another car runs the red light across the intersection. The driver behind you is following too closely and rear-ends your vehicle. Who is at fault? The right answer can be complicated.

Both the other drivers could be held responsible, but many potential factors must be considered. Perhaps the red light car was experiencing a brake malfunction from a substandard repair job, putting the automotive shop at fault. The driver behind you could have been distracted by another car coming out of a driveway into traffic. Untangling the details requires specialized guidance and a top-notch attorney who can interpret the law to your advantage. 

Liability and Negligence in Fayetteville Personal Injury Cases

An accident is, by definition, unplanned and unintended. However, that does not mean no one is at fault for your injuries. In many cases, our team has found that even when a hazard is unintentional, it does not let the person who is to blame off the hook. 

Negligence is a critical component of a personal injury case, and we are thoroughly skilled in demonstrating the four elements required for a successful claim:

  1. The person at fault owed you a duty of care.
  2. The person at fault failed in that duty.
  3. You suffered injuries as a direct result of their failure.
  4. You have expenses related to your injuries.

Having strong evidence to support these elements will allow your Fayetteville personal injury attorney to negotiate powerfully with insurance companies and defense lawyers. We can show them we have what it takes to hold their client accountable. 

For certain cases, such as premises liability, property owners can be held to a standard stating that they should have been aware of and fixed a hazard. These cases can be complicated and need a qualified attorney’s experience. 

North Carolina Personal Injury Laws That Could Affect Your Case

The Tarheel State has many statutes surrounding personal injury cases that could affect your claim. A qualified attorney can explain how these will influence their recommendations. Some vital laws you may need to consider include:

  • Dog bites or animal attacks: While NC generally uses a “one-bite” rule for the first time a dog bites, North Carolina General Statute § 67-4.4 does mandate the owner’s liability no matter the circumstances. They must pay directly or through their homeowner’s insurance policy for your medical treatment and other damages.
  • Pure contributory negligence: In North Carolina, the doctrine of pure contributory negligence applies to determining the percentage of fault in an accident. If you are found even 1% to blame for your mishap, you cannot recover damages.
  • At-fault car insurance laws: North Carolina uses at-fault rules for minor car accidents. Drivers must carry minimum insurance to cover medical bills and property damage.

When a car accident involves disfigurement, loss of function, other permanent injuries, or death, you can still file an insurance claim, but the settlement may not cover all your losses. In that case, the next move is to file a personal injury lawsuit. While you deal with the devastating effects of your injuries, our personal injury attorneys will manage your case for you. 

Insurance Companies Do Not Want to Help You

An insurance claim is often the first step in a personal injury case. It may seem simple to do by filling out the paperwork and waiting for your settlement. However, these companies are interested in holding onto their profits instead of paying what you need to recover. They are not on your side and do not care about your injuries or how your life has been dramatically changed. 

They also know the law and how to use it against you. They will stall, refuse to respond, and claim you are at fault instead of their policyholder. Insurance adjusters are paid to reduce or deny claims, using anything you say against you to make you look bad. You need an aggressive negotiator to fight back against their underhanded tactics.

Our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers have years of experience dealing with lowball offers and attempts to delay your claim. We will show them we mean business by pushing back until we get the settlement you deserve. When they do not meet our demands, we will quickly prepare your case for a trial. We can often convince them to reach a settlement out-of-court, saving you time and worry. 

Damages You Can Claim for Compensation in Your Personal Injury Case

You might focus on the medical expenses associated with your personal injury, but there are many kinds of damages (or losses) you should not overlook. Taking time from work to heal, losing your enjoyment of life, and needing help to care for your family can all be compensated if these costs result from your accident. Those who are at fault must pay for every penny of how your life has been affected.

Damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic. The first kind usually has a specific price tag. Non-economic losses cover your pain and suffering. Some more examples include:

Economic:

  • All doctor and medical expenses
  • Travel costs to various appointment and treatment facilities
  • Prescriptions and mobility aids for your recovery
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential if you are severely injured
  • Home services such as cleaning, cooking, in-home nursing, and maintenance
  • Repair or replacement costs for personal property, such as your car, computer, clothing, or phone

Non-economic:

  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of guidance and care for your family members
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of intimacy with your partner or spouse

Our legal professionals have handled cases where an initially minor injury quickly worsens into something life-threatening. We know that your expenses can multiply and include future costs that must be paid by those who hurt you. 

Insurance policies often do not provide enough coverage for all the losses you will experience, and we can advise you on when you should file a lawsuit for a full recovery. We are dedicated to protecting you and your family from a financial crisis due to astronomical expenses resulting from your personal injury. 

Partner With Our Qualified Fayetteville Personal Injury Lawyers Today

At Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we recognize that you are facing tremendous stress and worry after a personal injury. You need to concentrate on getting better and putting your life back together, not lose sleep over how you will pay for professional legal representation. We put your mind at ease by offering a free initial case review and providing our services on a contingency fee basis.

We are proud of our extensive record of case results, obtaining millions in jury awards and settlements for our clients. Do not risk losing your chance to seek the compensation and justice you deserve after you have been harmed by someone else. Schedule your free consultation with our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers today.

Visit Us at Our Fayetteville Office

2018 Fort Bragg Rd #104-A, Fayetteville, NC 28303