Winston-Salem Personal Injury Lawyers

Serious Attorneys Who Understand Personal Injury Law in Winston-Salem, NC

Every year tens of thousands of people are injured in accidents–automobile accidents, slip-and-falls, healthcare mistakes, to name just a few. Many of these accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one have experienced a serious injury through no fault of your own, you may be able to get compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Attorney Harry H. Albritton of Irons & Irons P.A. provides legal representation to injury victims who need an experienced personal injury lawyer serving Winston-Salem and surrounding areas. With over twenty years as a personal injury lawyer, he has the knowledge and skill to fight for your case. He has a history of positive outcomes and has secured millions of dollars in damages for his clients. Our personal injury law firm is committed to obtaining the compensation you deserve and helping you move into the future with financial security.

Personal Injury Law in North Carolina

In North Carolina, if you have been injured or lost a loved one because someone else was reckless or negligent, you are able to seek monetary damages in civil court. However, it isn’t easy to win a personal injury claim.

Three criteria must be met in order to win a case.

1. First, the defendant must have a Duty of Care that prevents injury. Two examples of duty of care are obeying traffic laws and keeping property well-maintained and safe.
2. Secondly, the defendant must show a Breach of Duty such that his/her failure to carry forth their duty of care caused an injury. For example, a driver who is operating his/her vehicle recklessly and runs a red light has breached duty of care.
3. Thirdly, the Cause of Injury must be solely due to the defendant’s breach of duty. In other words, the plaintiff (victim) would not have sustained injury had it not been for the negligence of the defendant. For example, a healthcare provider doesn’t use the highest standard of care for a patient and causes an injury as a result.

Contributory Negligence

Not only must these three criteria be met, the jury has to ascertain absolute fault on the part of the defendant. If the victim contributed to the accident in any way, monetary damages cannot be awarded. The doctrine of contributory negligence, which North Carolina follows, states that if the plaintiff contributed to the accident, even by 1%, then he/she can’t be compensated for damages.

For example, if the lawsuit is due to a car accident where the defendant was speeding and struck another vehicle that was being operated by someone under the influence, no compensation would be awarded to the plaintiff. In this case, both parties were negligent and reckless. 

Many times, in order to avoid a punitive payout, an insurance company and its lawyers will try to show that the plaintiff was at least partially at fault. This makes it crucial to have a personal injury attorney with litigation experience on your side, establishing liability and recovering compensation.

Personal Injury Legal Representation After an Accident

You may not realize that you have a serious injury after an accident. Even seemingly minor accidents can cause long-lasting injuries. It is crucial to receive medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident given that some injuries, especially spinal cord trauma and brain injuries, don’t exhibit symptoms until later.

Some of the most common injuries from vehicle accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, and other cases are:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord trauma and whiplash
• Nerve damage
• Chronic pain
• Paralysis and loss of mobility
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Irons & Irons P.A. Represents Clients in Several Areas of Personal Injury Law

Our law firm is experienced in representing clients in all practice areas:

• Automobile accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Rideshare accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents (premises liability)
• Medical malpractice
• Dental malpractice
• Pharmaceutical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• Wrongful death

Why You Should Choose Irons & Irons for Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Most of the time after an injury, the victim is contacted by the insurance company that wants to offer a settlement. It is best to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer before making any decision as to a settlement. A seasoned lawyer has the resources and knowledge to investigate the case, analyze medical reports, and talk to witnesses. In some cases, there may be more than one defendant to investigate, for example in commercial truck accidents where the driver and trucking company are both involved.

An insurance company has the resources to investigate the accident, but an accident victim usually does not. Attorney Albritton is an experienced personal injury lawyer who has the investigative resources and who can work with expert witnesses in order to thoroughly understand the client’s medical outcomes, thus allowing him to value a case accurately and ensure greater financial security for the client.

At Irons & Irons P.A., we are dedicated to providing high-quality legal services instead of high-volume services. By limiting the number of cases we work on, we give top priority to each client. Our clients receive personalized attention, ensuring that we are always available to answer questions, provide legal counsel, and convey information. You can have peace of mind that we are always looking out for your best interests regardless of whether you are settling out of court or taking the case to a jury.

Frequently Asked Questions

The legal process can be complicated and we understand that you may have questions. To help you better understand what to expect, we are answering some of the questions we are asked most frequently.

Is There a Time Limit In Which to Bring My Personal Injury Claim to Court?

The statute of limitations to bring a claim in North Carolina is three years from the time of the accident. In a wrongful death case, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the victim’s death. Insurance companies will often try to stall the settlement negotiations in order to run the clock out on the statute of limitations and keep a plaintiff from filing a lawsuit.

How Much is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

Each case is different and, therefore, the amount of compensatory damages differs from case to case. Our personal injury attorneys will look at existing and future medical bills, lost wages, the possibility of the plaintiff being able to go back to work, as well as the emotional pain and physical trauma the victim has experienced. Based on this information, our lawyers can determine how much your case is worth and then work to negotiate a settlement. When a settlement can’t be reached, we will look at taking the case to court.

When Does My Personal Injury Case Go To Court?

Most personal injury claims are settled out of court which is beneficial to our clients to receive compensation faster than if the case goes to court. Still, as stated above, when we can’t reach a fair settlement, we will fight for you in court before a jury.

How Much Are Your Lawyer Fees?

Our fees are based on contingency, which means that we don’t accept payment until you receive compensation for your case.

Should I Accept a Injury Settlement Without Legal Counsel?

It has been our experience that you should not talk to anyone about your case until you have consulted with an experienced personal injury attorney. Insurance companies are interested in their bottom line and not your best interests. They want to protect their profits and avoid large payouts more than helping accident victims. This gives them a reason to offer minimal settlements that are far below what you need. When you have a personal injury attorney fighting on your behalf, you improve your chances of getting a more equitable compensation and achieving a more favorable outcome.

Contact Us Today for a Complimentary Consultation With Our Winston-Salem Personal Injury Lawyers

If your life has been disrupted by an injury that was caused by someone’s negligence, you can have hope for a better future. At Irons & Irons P.A., our legal team works diligently to secure the monetary compensation you deserve to help you move forward with assurance and security. Not only do we serve Winston-Salem, NC, but we also accept personal injury cases in Lewisville, Lexington, Salisbury, Thomasville, and surrounding areas. To get more information about our services or to schedule a free initial consultation, contact us today at  919-899-7200 or complete the confidential case review form.