Concord Personal Injury Lawyer

Concord Personal Injury Attorney

The phrase “personal injury” can apply to any incident in which someone is harmed by the actions of another party. A personal injury claim is a type of civil action in which the injured party seeks compensation for their damages. If you believe you have grounds to file such a claim after you or a loved one has been harmed by another party’s actions, you should speak with a Concord personal injury lawyer right away.

An experienced accident attorney can help their client prove fault for their injury and hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm they have caused. The attorneys at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler have years of experience representing personal injury clients in the Concord area, and we have the knowledge and skills required to provide the level of legal counsel you need in order to approach your case confidently.

Why You Should Hire a Concord Personal Injury Lawyer?

The state does not strictly require that you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you in a personal injury case. However, you should not assume that you can handle the case on your own or that you can achieve the same quality of results that you could expect from an experienced attorney. Handling your case by yourself while managing your injury and personal obligations would be extremely difficult and unlikely to yield a positive outcome.

When you begin the process of seeking compensation for your personal injury damages, the first course of action will likely be filing a claim against the liable party’s insurance company. In some cases, you may even receive a call from the insurance company shortly after the accident. These calls from insurance company representatives are strategic. The aim is to approach you with sympathy and offer a quick settlement. 

Unfortunately, settlements offered by insurance companies up front are often significantly less than what a victim needs to offset their losses. Many injury victims make the mistake of accepting such a settlement before talking to an attorney, which can make it impossible for the victim to pursue further compensation later on. This is why it is vitally important to never accept such an offer before discussing it with your attorney. 

Hiring an attorney can also benefit you by allowing you to rest and take a backseat when it comes to seeking compensation. Your lawyer can gather all of the necessary information to advocate for you and then act as a point of contact between you and the insurance company, the liable party, or any other pertinent party in the case. 

When you hire an experienced Concord personal injury lawyer to represent you, trust your legal team to handle all of your proceedings on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind. Your attorney can help you gather all the foundational elements of your case, helping you prove fault and uncover all the various avenues of compensation that may be available to you, including compensation you might have overlooked on your own.

Christian R. Ayers

Founding Partner

Christian Ayers focuses his practice on personal injury cases including car accidents, trucking collisions, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. A relentless advocate for injured victims, he has recovered millions in compensation for clients while maintaining a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating.

Complications Can Crop Up When You Try to Recoup Your Losses

Even in the most seemingly straightforward personal injury case, there is always a chance for unexpected complications to arise and interfere with your recovery efforts. When you have an experienced personal injury lawyer representing you, you can approach any such issues with confidence, and your attorney can help you determine a promising route for resolving your case as efficiently as possible.

Ultimately, hiring the right accident attorney to represent you significantly increases your chance of success with your case and the likelihood of obtaining your total recovery. When you choose Ayers, Ayers & Dressler to represent you, you are investing in years of experience and a dedicated representative who can provide the guidance and support you need through all of your impending proceedings.

Kinds of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Concord

When you need a personal injury lawyer to represent you, it is vital that you take the time necessary to evaluate the attorney’s level of experience handling cases like yours. At Ayers, Ayers & Dressler, we have successfully helped many clients recover compensation for their damages in many kinds of personal injury cases, including accident scenarios like those listed below:

• Car accident claims: Car accidents are a top reason for personal injuries in the Concord area, with 1,171 injuries reported in the city in 2023, and any recovery after a car accident usually starts with an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. We can help you prove fault for your accident, file your claim, and build a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver if their insurance cannot fully cover your damages.
• Truck accident cases: This kind of roadway accident is not only likely to result in tremendous damages but also very complex legal questions that you may not be able to answer on your own. We can guide you through any commercial truck accident claim, determining liability and helping you recover compensation for your losses.
• Motorcycle accident claims: Accidents involving motorcycles have a very high chance of resulting in catastrophic injuries due to the fact that a motorcycle does not provide much physical protection to the rider. If you or a loved one experienced a motorcycle crash, we can help you get an adequate settlement through an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury claim.
• Drunk driving accidents: While most vehicle accidents happen because of negligence, drunk driving and other illegal activity can also cause devastating collisions. If the driver who caused your accident broke the law by driving under the influence, we can help you understand how this could impact your case going forward. We can prepare you for the complex legal proceedings ahead of you as you seek compensation for your losses.
• Slip and fall claims: If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property because they failed to address a foreseeable safety hazard, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. North Carolina’s premises liability law protects lawful visitors. Intruders and trespassers who suffer slip-and-fall injuries cannot file claims against property owners because they were not legally present.
• Dog bite claims: If a dog owner has any reason to believe their dog is dangerous to others, they are strictly liable for all damages the dog causes. Dog bites can be very painful and have the potential to cause lasting physical and psychological harm. We can help you file a claim for your damages if you were injured by someone else’s dog in the Concord area.
• Work injury claims: If you were hurt while working, you are likely covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation. However, there are limits to what you can expect in terms of workers’ compensation benefits, and you could have grounds for an additional personal injury claim under certain conditions. Our firm can assist you with all your legal efforts to recover from any kind of workplace accident in Concord.
• Catastrophic injury claims: Some personal injuries result in permanent harm. If your injury left you permanently disfigured and/or disabled, you are likely eligible to seek a substantial amount of compensation from the at-fault party. Trust our firm to help you seek fair compensation, addressing all the immediate and future damages the defendant in your claim has suffered.
• Wrongful death claims: When a personal injury is fatal, the surviving family of the victim has the right to file a wrongful death claim against whoever caused the death. This kind of personal injury case aims to compensate the family of the victim and repay losses sustained by the estate of the deceased, and the state maintains strict rules regarding eligibility to file these claims.

In the Concord area, and throughout Cabarrus County, there are a number of heavily traveled roadways that see a high number of car accidents. Some of these roads are listed below: 

• I-85
  
• U.S. 601
  
• U.S. 29
  
• Highway 49
  
• Davidson Highway

Any time there is routine heavy traffic on a road, there is high potential for accidents. Many drivers travel too fast during their morning and evening commutes, while others are distracted by other tasks, such as eating, talking on the phone, or texting.

Resources for Accident Victims in Concord

If you are in an accident in the Concord area, it is important to know where you should go for help. Some places accident victims can seek immediate medical care following an injury are listed below:

• Atrium Health Cabarrus: Atrium Health Cabarrus is a reasonably large hospital with 457 beds. The hospital has a Level III trauma center, making it a good choice for individuals suffering from acute injuries. 
• Carolinas Medical Center: Carolinas Medical Center is a short drive away from Concord, in Charlotte. This is a larger hospital, with a Level 1 trauma center (the only one in the region). 

In addition to medical care, victims of accidents in Concord may need support from law enforcement. If you are experiencing an emergency, such as you or someone has been injured, call your local police or emergency services immediately. 

Choosing Reliable Counsel to Succeed With Your Claim

It is imperative that you choose an experienced and reliable Concord personal injury lawyer if you’re having trouble submitting your claim. When you hire legal representation to act on your behalf, you can improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your claim. Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can leverage all our skills, experience, and professional resources to help you prove liability for your damages and recover full compensation.

Proving Fault for Your Personal Injury in Concord

Success with any personal injury claim in the state requires proving fault. Additionally, the plaintiff must accurately identify the defendant they believe to be responsible for their damages. The defense must then prove that the defendant was entirely at fault for the incident. Any shared liability on the part of the plaintiff negates their ability to claim compensation from anyone else.

Most of the personal injury claims filed in Concord arise from negligent acts. The term “negligence” is used to describe any situation in which a party fails to meet a specific duty of care or if they fail to demonstrate reasonable care in any situation in which another reasonable party would have likely acted differently. Proving negligence in a personal injury case requires establishing four key elements:

1. The defendant had a duty of care in the situation. For example, a driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively and abide by all posted traffic signals and signs.
2. The defendant breached their duty of care, either through carelessness or an intentional act. Following the previous example, distracted driving or running a red light would constitute a breach of a driver’s duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively and responsibly.
3. The defendant’s actions caused actual harm to the victim. The victim only has grounds to file a personal injury claim if they can prove that they sustained actual harm from the defendant’s actions. This means that the negligent act resulted in measurable losses for the victim.
4. The victim’s damages solely resulted from the defendant’s actions and not from any other cause. This entails proving causation, meaning there must be a causal link between the defendant’s actions and the victim’s losses. In other words, the plaintiff must prove their losses would not have occurred but for the defendant’s actions.

Your attorney can assist you in gathering the evidence you will need to meet these requirements and prove negligence in your personal injury case. The type of evidence you will require will vary depending on how your personal injury happened. For example, in a car accident case, you may need traffic camera recordings, the other driver’s cell phone records, and vehicle computer data to prove exactly how the accident happened.

Alternatively, you may need to prove that the defendant caused your personal injury by breaking the law. In this situation, they can face criminal prosecution along with their civil liability for your damages. The state handles the criminal case, and the purpose of this case is to press criminal charges against the defendant. It does not result in a compensation settlement. You must file a separate civil claim against the defendant to recover your damages.

If you are filing a personal injury claim in response to another party’s illegal misconduct, your accident attorney can advise you as to how the criminal case against the defendant could influence your recovery. For example, the sentencing judge may include restitution to the victim as part of the defendant’s penalties. In your civil case, a judge may award punitive damages to reflect the illegal nature of the defendant’s behavior that caused your injury.

How to File for Personal Injury Claims in Concord, North Carolina

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Concord, North Carolina, follow the steps listed below to file a personal injury claim:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care

Prioritize your health. North Carolina law requires documenting injuries to establish a direct link to the incident. Keep all medical records as evidence.

2. Report the Incident

File a report with local authorities (e.g., police for car accidents) or property owners (for slip-and-fall cases). Obtain a copy for your records.

3. Consult a Concord Personal Injury Attorney

North Carolina’s contributory negligence law bars compensation if you’re even 1% at fault. An attorney can help navigate this strict rule.

4. Notify Insurance Companies

Alert the at-fault party’s insurer promptly. Provide facts without admitting fault. The NC Department of Insurance oversees claim disputes.

5. Gather Evidence

Collect photos, witness statements, and proof of lost wages or expenses. Submit this to support your claim.

6. File a Lawsuit if Necessary

If negotiations fail, file a claim in Cabarrus County Civil Court in the Cabarrus County Courthouse on Union Street South in Concord. Claims must be filed within North Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations.

Obtaining a Police Report in Concord

As you work to prove liability in your personal injury case in Concord, it may be helpful to have access to any police reports regarding the incident that caused your injury. Any time the police are involved in any kind of incident, there should be a report on file documenting the interaction and their findings. You can go through one of the avenues listed below to obtain a police report:

• Online. Citizens can obtain crash reports and incident reports online through the Concord Police Department’s Police-to-Citizen portal.
  
• In person. You can also visit the police station in person to get a report. The address for the main station is 41 Cabarrus Avenue West. 

No matter how you choose to get your police report, you are likely to need the following pieces of information: 

• Case number (if available)
  
• Date and time of the incident
  
• Where the incident occurred
  
• Names of those involved in the incident

If you need assistance in obtaining a police report to support your case, your attorney should be able to help you. Remember that police reports represent crucial evidence in many personal injury cases, so it is worth the effort to obtain one. 

Claiming Compensation for Your Economic Damages in Concord

After you have successfully proven fault for your personal injury, the next phase of your case revolves around proving the full extent of the damages you suffered. Then, you can attempt to recover compensation for those damages. The average plaintiff may have some understanding of the various losses they can claim from a defendant, but many people in this situation initially undervalue their claims, not realizing the extent of compensation they can recover.

Damages in a personal injury case are typically categorized as either economic or non-economic. Economic damages include any financial losses caused by the defendant’s actions. These are generally proven with the appropriate documentation, and the plaintiff must be able to prove that they directly resulted from the defendant’s actions and not from any other cause.

If you or a family member sustained any physical harm because of another party’s negligence or illegal misconduct, they are liable for all associated medical expenses. You can hold them accountable for all the immediate medical treatment costs arising from the accident. Any predicted medical expenses you could face in the future could also be covered.

Many people who suffer severe personal injuries will require ongoing treatment, which may include surgeries, physical therapy, and various other forms of rehabilitation. Some may require in-home medical care as well as mental health treatment. Your Concord personal injury lawyer can help you determine the full range of the medical expenses you can cite as economic damages in your impending case.

A plaintiff also has the right to seek compensation for potential income losses. Similar to medical expenses, it is possible to claim compensation for lost income and lost future earning capacity. If the injury you suffered is expected to prevent you from working in the future, the defendant is legally responsible for that future income.

An experienced Concord personal injury lawyer can help you accurately calculate how much income you would have reasonably expected to earn if you hadn’t been injured. Factors used to calculate these wages are below:

• Your age
  
• Current earning level
  
• Working years left before retirement
  
• Inflation
  
• Increase in the cost of living.

If the defendant damaged your personal property, you may be able to recover compensation for some property losses through insurance. For example, if you were hurt in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy may include coverage for property damage. However, any remainder you cannot recover through insurance can qualify as economic damages you can cite in your personal injury claim.

Pain and Suffering Compensation for Your Personal Injury

Non-economic damages in a personal injury claim pertain to the victim’s physical pain, psychological distress, and emotional suffering. It may sound difficult or even impossible to assign a monetary value to intangible losses like these, but your Concord personal injury lawyer can help you determine a suitable amount that reflects the overall severity of the harm you suffered.

There is no specific formula you must use to calculate pain and suffering. Your attorney may help you determine a reasonable amount to request. This amount is based on the overall severity of your injury, multiplied by your total economic damages, and then input into an equation that considers the level of harm suffered. The more serious your injury, the more likely you are to obtain pain and suffering compensation.

Resolving Your Personal Injury Claim in Concord

Proving liability for your damages and showing the full extent of those damages is crucial for resolving your personal injury case. However, you also must determine how you intend to resolve your case. It’s possible to settle a civil claim for damages outside of court, but only if all the parties involved in the case are willing to negotiate. The private settlement process offers a more expedient and less expensive means of resolving a personal injury case than litigation.

During settlement, the plaintiff, defendant, and their respective attorneys meet privately to discuss mutually agreeable terms. The plaintiff may be willing to settle for less than they expected in exchange for a faster result. At the same time, the defendant may be willing to settle for more to save money on legal fees in litigation.

It is important to remember that under the state’s pure contributory negligence rule, a plaintiff cannot seek compensation for their damages from a defendant if they are found to be partially liable. Therefore, it is relatively common for defendants in personal injury cases in Concord to assert contributory negligence in their defense, but the burden of proving contributory negligence falls to them. Litigation may be necessary if contributory negligence is alleged.

Ultimately, a settlement requires both parties to be willing to compromise. Otherwise, the case must be resolved in litigation before a judge and/or jury. The court listens to arguments from both sides and considers each side’s evidence and testimony. 

If your case does ultimately require litigation, the Cabarrus County branch of the North Carolina Superior Court hears these types of cases. At Ayers, Ayers & Dressler, our attorneys have plenty of experience inside these courtrooms. We can help you navigate the proceedings confidently. 

What to Expect From Your Concord Personal Injury Lawyer

Your pending personal injury case may seem overwhelming, but you can approach this difficult situation with confidence if you have the right attorney handling your case. An experienced accident attorney can help you build a strong foundation for your claim, gathering all the evidence you need to prove fault and helping you determine a beneficial path through the difficult proceedings ahead of you.

The attorneys at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can immediately begin gathering evidence to support your case as soon as you secure our firm’s representation. We work tirelessly to streamline your proceedings, helping you reach a positive outcome as quickly as possible so you can receive the compensation you should have to recover. Trust our firm to answer your questions and provide ongoing support through every phase of your case.

We generally aim to settle personal injury cases outside of court whenever possible. Trust us to develop a strong initial complaint that encourages the defendant to seek a settlement as swiftly as possible. However, there is always a chance for litigation to be unavoidable. In this situation, you can rely on our team to represent you in the courtroom.

In every personal injury case, there is a chance that the plaintiff will face legal complications outside of the direct handling of their claim. They may need to navigate a difficult insurance claim filing process or file a workers’ compensation claim through their employer. They may also need to participate as a witness in a criminal case filed by the state against the party who caused their injury.

Whatever your case requires, Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can be trusted to manage all aspects of your recovery. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation possible under state rules in the most expedient possible manner. We can leverage all of our experience and resources in our efforts to do so. Your time in which to do this is limited and you should connect with an attorney and start building your claim right away.

FAQs About Concord, NC Personal Injury Laws

Can I Settle a Personal Injury Claim Outside of Court in Concord?

Yes, it is possible to settle a Concord personal injury claim outside of court as long as the defendant accepts liability for the injury and both the plaintiff and the defendant are willing to negotiate. Settlement sessions typically unfold at the convenience of both parties, and they can sometimes reach mutually agreeable terms relatively quickly. However, if the case cannot be resolved through settlement, it must be resolved by litigation in court.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for a Personal Injury in Concord?

The total compensation you could recover for a personal injury in Concord depends on the overall severity of your losses, whether you suffered permanent harm of any kind, and the manner in which the defendant caused the injury. Your Concord personal injury lawyer can help you explore all available channels of compensation to assist you in pursuing your total case award.

Can I Still Claim Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for My Personal Injury in North Carolina?

No, you cannot claim compensation if you were partially at fault for your personal injury in North Carolina, even if your shared fault is very slight. The state enforces a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning any amount of plaintiff fault entirely bars them from recovering compensation from any other liable party. Your attorney can help you determine whether contributory negligence is any cause for concern in your impending case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Concord?

The statute of limitations for filing a Concord personal injury claim in the state is three years for most cases. This time limit begins on the date an injury occurs, but there are some factors that may pause or delay the statute under certain conditions. While three years might sound like more than enough time to file your case, the reality is that you should start building your claim as quickly as possible to create the greatest chance of success.

What Will it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Concord?

The cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Concord is the equivalent of a percentage of your total case award if you choose our firm to represent you. Our contingency fee policy means we only collect a percentage of whatever compensation we are able to secure for you, and only if and when we obtain a settlement for your case. There are no upfront attorneys’ fees, and you pay nothing if we are unable to obtain a case award for you.

Contact Ayers, Ayers & Dressler Today

If you are facing losses from a personal injury, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, reduced income from missed work, and the prospect of a long and difficult recovery. With so much on your mind, the last thing you need to worry about is your family’s current and future financial stability. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can pursue compensation to move forward with your life and restore your family’s peace. 

The attorneys at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler have successfully helped many past clients navigate their personal injury cases with confidence, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you in your impending case. The time you have to file your claim is limited. Therefore, it is vital to start working toward recovering your losses right away. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a trustworthy Concord personal injury lawyer and learn how we can help.