Injuries from an auto accident can cause substantial consequences to your life. For example, you may have to miss work or suffer long term physical and mental limitations. Therefore, if you suffer an injury in an auto accident in Charlotte, North Carolina because of another driver’s negligence, you should contact an auto accident Charlotte attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. Negligence is a common cause of action in an auto accident and is defined as the failure to use reasonable care. Reasonable care is the care that an average driver would use in the same situation. For example, a driver using reasonable care will stop at a red light or yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Depending on the extent of your injuries, an auto accident Charlotte attorney may tell you that you are eligible to receive reimbursement for your medical care expenses, loss of wages and pain and suffering damages.

For example, if the accident was due to the other driver’s negligence, an auto accident Charlotte attorney may ask the court to reimburse you for any medical expenses that were a direct result of the accident.  Depending on the extent of your injuries, it may have been necessary for you to undergo surgery or spend several nights in the hospital during your recovery.  In addition, if your injuries require physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation, your auto accident Charlotte attorney will ask the court to award damages to compensate you for your long term care needs as well.

Your injuries may make it difficult for you to return to work immediately following the accident. Therefore, you may be eligible to receive loss of wage damages to compensate you for the difference in income because of the accident. However, your auto accident Charlotte attorney will explain to you what you must show to the court to receive these damages including providing evidence that the accident was a direct cause of your inability to work. For example, you will have to show your injuries sustained in the accident prevented you from returning to your normal work duties.

If your injuries were severe, an auto accident Charlotte attorney may help you receive compensation for pain and suffering you experienced following the accident. Pain and suffering can be a direct result of injuries you sustained in the accident, or can include new limitations on your daily activities due to the accident resulting in emotional distress or depression. However, your auto accident Charlotte attorney may warn you that damages for pain and suffering can be difficult to prove. For example, it will likely be necessary for you to testify at your trial regarding the pain you are experiencing. In determining the amount of pain and suffering damages you are eligible to receive, the court will consider a number of factors including the consistency of your symptoms and the severity of your injuries. Your auto accident Charlotte attorney may also ask the court to award future pain and suffering damages to you as well.

The time to file a lawsuit against the other driver following an accident is limited. Therefore, if you suffer an injury in an auto accident, do not delay in contacting an auto accident Charlotte attorney. If you need help finding an auto accident Charlotte attorney, contact the North Carolina Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service website http://www.ncbar.org/public-pro-bono/lawyer-referral-service.aspx. In addition, you can visit the North Carolina Court System’s website http://www.nccourts.org/Support/FAQs/FAQs.asp?Type=2&language=1 to answer any questions you may have about how to file a lawsuit in Charlotte, North Carolina.