Wilmington Law Office

It is not uncommon for devastating accidents and incidents to result in life-threatening or fatal injuries. When another party’s negligence is the cause of your trauma, they should be expected to compensate you for every single loss related to the accident and your resulting injuries. If only it were as simple as asking the liable party to cover your costs and provide you with the financial support you need when you need it most. Sadly, far too many at-fault parties fight with all their resources to avoid this financial liability. 

When you have the legal guidance and support of our respected Wilmington personal injury lawyers with Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you can make them pay. Our legal team will conduct a comprehensive investigation and build the strongest case possible against the liable party so they are compelled to cover your damages in full. Are you ready to demand justice and the compensation you deserve? Contact our office to request a 100% free consultation and discuss the investigative process, damages, culpability, and potential options for legal recourse. 

Did Someone Else Cause Your Injuries? You May Have Grounds for a Personal Injury Claim

It can be frustrating for injury victims to pick up the pieces of their lives after a serious accident. No one wants to be accused of frivolously attempting to file a personal injury lawsuit. When you have the right personal injury lawyer with Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers working for you, the claims process does not need to be intimidating. When you openly and honestly discuss the various ways your life has been affected by your injuries and the accident that caused them, our team will listen with compassion and empathy and begin formulating our plan to recover maximum compensation for your damages. 

We understand that you may be feeling overwhelmed and are not sure whether you have grounds for legal action. While you recuperate, you can learn more about what constitutes a personal injury claim and whether your injuries are severe enough for legal action to be taken. 

What is Negligence and Grounds for a Lawsuit?

Our personal injury attorneys will carefully examine the elements of your case to ascertain whether you have grounds for a claim. Someone else’s negligent actions must be the cause of your accident and injuries for your personal injury lawsuit to be successful. The elements of negligence in North Carolina civil claims include:

  1. Duty of care – Someone must have had a duty to your physical safety or well-being.
  2. Breach of duty – The individual or entity owing you a duty of care must have breached this duty through a specific action or failure to take action.
  3. Causation – The breach in the duty of care must be the cause of your critical injuries or resulting damages. 
  4. Damages – While your injuries do not need to be life-threatening, the accident must have significantly affected your life for a settlement to be awarded. 

Essentially, as long as another party is at fault for your accident, whether by accident, negligence, or misconduct, that party should cover the total value of your damages. The burden of proof in personal injury lawsuits is based on a preponderance of the evidence. Your personal injury attorney in Raleigh with Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyer must introduce compelling evidence that convinces the jury of the defendant’s liability for your lawsuit to be a success. 

Your Catastrophic Injuries Could Warrant Legal Action

There is nothing in the North Carolina civil statutes that states only specific types of injuries warrant legal action. However, some types of injuries occur more often than others. The more severe your injuries are and the greater the impact on your life, the more you may be awarded. Our clients have endured a wide variety of injuries, some of which include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputation
  • Burn injuries
  • Road rash
  • Spinal cord injuries 
  • Paralysis
  • Back injuries
  • Knee injuries 
  • Facial injuries
  • Concussion
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ failure 

There are countless other injuries and medical conditions that could qualify for a personal injury claim. Do not hesitate to contact our experienced injury lawyers to find out how you can bring the at-fault party to justice.

Maximize Your Financial Compensation With Help From Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Wilmington

Your injury lawyer with our team will always prioritize your best interests. It is our goal to recover total financial compensation for your losses. It is bad enough that you need to cope with the physical injuries you sustained and the emotional distress that comes with experiencing a traumatic event. You should not be forced to cover the costs as well, particularly if another party is responsible. 

Several of these damages can be recouped through insurance claim filings. However, not every liable party has insurance coverage. Those that do may not have been prepared and only have a fraction of coverage available. When this happens, it may become necessary to bring your case before a judge. The North Carolina civil courts have the authority to award you compensation for every single loss and then some. Here is more:

Pecuniary Vs. Non-Pecuniary Damages

Pecuniary damages and non-pecuniary damages go by many names. They are also called general damages/special damages and economic damages/non-economic damages, respectively. Combined, they are collectively known as compensatory damages, as these are the losses the liable party should be expected to compensate you for. They encompass every single loss, whether that be financial, physical, psychological, or emotional. Examples of potentially recoverable damages in a Wilmington personal injury claim include:

  • Lost tips, wages, and income
  • Medical bills and future treatment costs
  • Embarrassment
  • Damage to your reputation
  • Mental anguish
  • Medical devices and healthcare equipment 
  • Around-the-clock medical care
  • Assisted living or rehabilitation services
  • Loss of future potential earnings 
  • Loss of household services
  • Pain and suffering
  • Personal property damage
  • Emotional duress 
  • Loss of consortium and intimate relations
  • Loss of society and support
  • Reduced quality of life 

Exemplary Damages Are Rare

Our injury attorneys will consider the evidence and circumstances of your case to determine whether punitive damages are likely. Most personal injury lawsuits do not meet the criteria for an award of exemplary or punitive damages. This is because punitive damages are meant to ensure the defendant is sufficiently punished for gross negligence, reprehensible conduct, or intentional malice. Your injury attorney may request punitive damages be awarded to ensure justice is served and potentially reduce the likelihood of future similar accidents or incidents.  

Put Our Personal Injury Law Firm’s Decades of Experience to Work for You

Far too many victims do not get the legal support they need after suffering a debilitating injury or illness at the hands of another. At Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team strives to help accident survivors across Wilmington get through some of the most devastating times in their lives. You need a skilled injury attorney with experience handling cases similar to yours. While personal injury cases can take multiple forms, our team has extensive knowledge of and experience with the following types of personal injury claims:

Accidents On Private and Public Property

Many highly qualified personal injury law firms handle accidents and private and public property. Our legal advocates have devoted considerable time, energy, and resources investigating countless types of premises liability accidents. Some of the most common premises liabilities our clients have endured include:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Construction site accidents
  • Failure to make necessary repairs 
  • Hotel accidents
  • Animal attacks and dog bites
  • Accidents caused by public nuisances 
  • Wet floor accidents
  • Negligent security

In most premises liability cases, property owners are deemed liable, usually because they fail to uphold their duty to their invited guests and patron’s safety or health. However, depending on the specific details of your case, other parties could also share liability. Only a comprehensive investigation will reveal the truth. 

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many injury law firms specialize in motor vehicle accident claims. It is true that collisions are some of the most common ways victims suffer injuries. Motor vehicles weigh thousands of pounds and can be considered a dangerous weapon when motorists do not operate the vehicles as safely as possible. Car accidents can involve pedestrians, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and even rideshare services. Most of these collisions are caused by negligent driving. This might include:

  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Road rage
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failure to yield or stop
  • Distracted driving

But do not get tunnel vision. Negligent drivers are not the only liable parties. Auto parts manufacturers and designers, motor vehicle dealerships, and even the North Carolina Department of Transportation may be at fault if your collision was caused by road hazards or defective parts. Oftentimes, the best way to identify the liable party in a car accident case is to ensure your attorney completes an extensive investigation and gathers valuable supporting evidence. 

Defective Product Claims

Defective product cases are unique because there are often multiple parties involved that share responsibility for the victim’s damages. For example, many of the class action lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson for cancer-causing, talcum-based baby powder do not only name Johnson & Johnson. Some class actions name Walmart, Target, and other retail giants. Product liability lawsuits often occur due to manufacturing or design defects, but can also apply if a manufacturer fails to provide sufficient warning when a product is inherently dangerous, even when used as intended. 

Several NC Personal Injury Laws Could Impact Your Case’s Outcome

You need a powerful injury law firm by your side to navigate the complex tort laws involved with your claim. You do not want to feel overwhelmed by laws and nuances you do not understand. We break these laws down for you step by step to manage expectations and ensure you are prepared accordingly. Some of the most notable laws affecting your Wilmington personal injury claim include:

  • North Carolina follows fault insurance laws– the liable party’s insurer pays before yours should.
  • NC is a pure contributory negligence state, which means sharing the blame for the accident is devastating, as you will lose your right to seek compensation for your damages at trial.
  • Your personal injury lawsuit must be filed in accordance with the three-year personal injury statute of limitations. Otherwise, you are barred from trying your case in court.

Depending on the type of accident you were involved in, there may be other laws potentially impacting the outcome of your insurance claims and lawsuits. You can rest easier knowing our team will keep you informed and develop strategies to deal with these laws so you can maximize your settlement.

Contact Wilmington’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm for Help Today

Whether you are feeling the weight of your extreme financial losses, having trouble coping with the extent of your critical injuries, or are overwhelmed by the crushing emotional trauma of what you have been through, you deserve justice. When another party is responsible for causing your accident and subsequent damages, they need to pay. If they refuse to do so on their own or through their insurance provider, your personal injury attorney with RICCI Law Firm Injury Lawyers may be able to. 

We will consider all potential opportunities for financial relief. Our legal advocates are trial-tested with a powerful track record of success. Let us put our decades of legal experience to work for you and your family. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation when you call our office or complete our convenient contact form. When you have access to the compensation that is rightfully yours and are finally able to move past this traumatic event, you will be glad you did.

Visit Us at Our Wilmington Office

1213 Culbreth Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405