Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog

Mistakes That can Derail a Workers’ Compensation Claim

March 13, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What qualifies a person to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits?”

If you have been injured on the job, you might be entitled to receive workers’ compensation for your injury. The idea behind workers’ compensation is for an injured worker to still receive income after an injury on the job, to support him or her and help pay for medical bills created by the injury. This compensation can be instrumental in keeping an injured worker afloat and able to recover without stressing about income. However, there are actions, or inactions, that can derail your case before it even starts. Here are things that can harm your workers’ compensation case:

North Carolina Supreme Court Rules on Collateral Source Rule

March 6, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

The collateral source rule in North Carolina states that a plaintiff’s award in a personal injury suit can not be reduced by amount that is received by third-party sources. For example, if you are in a car accident and are injured, you might receive payment from the insurance company for medical bills. In a personal injury suit, the amount paid by the insurance company could not be reduced from the overall award amount. Recently, the North Carolina Supreme Court expanded the application of the collateral source rule.

Debunking Wrongful Death Lawsuit Myths in North Carolina

February 27, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What exactly is a wrongful death claim?”

The loss of a loved one is often a time of intense grief and sadness. These feelings are only magnified when a loved one’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another. In these instances, there are legal remedies available to the surviving family members. A wrongful death lawsuit is an avenue for the surviving family to collect compensation for their loved one’s wrongful death. However, sometimes family members are reluctant to reach out to a wrongful death attorney to learn more about the options available to them. The following are common myths surrounding wrongful death lawsuits that can prevent grieving loved ones from pursuing the compensation they deserve:

Types of Auto Insurance in North Carolina

February 20, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and how may it apply to my case?

You have been in an auto accident. One of your first thoughts is to reach out to your insurance provider for help and guidance on what you need to do next. Which insurance company do you call? Your own insurance company or the insurance company of the other driver involved in your accident? Auto accident attorneys can help you deal with insurance companies following an accident. In order to successfully navigate the insurance process after an accident, you need to understand the insurance coverage you have. Insurance coverage is required by North Carolina law.

Teen Killed in North Carolina Car Accident

February 13, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Are the laws or rules applying to a wrongful death claim different from a personal injury not involving death?”

A car accident came to a tragic end when a vehicle had to swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle, but ended up plunging off of a bridge and into a creek, according to WSOC TV. A 17-year-old died at the scene of the accident when the vehicle he was a passenger in was trying to avoid crashing into another vehicle on the road. First responders reported that the vehicle flipped over a bridge and landed upside down in the creek below.

Tips for Safe Driving in North Carolina Winter

February 6, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: ” If an incident report was filled out, do I have a right to receive a copy?”

A polar vortex that took over parts of the Midwest caused entire cities to virtually shut down, schools to close, mail to be delayed, and threatened the health of individuals for just going outside. While here in North Carolina, we were not subject to those bone chilling temperatures, the weather the Midwest has faced this winter is a good reminder to keep safe when driving in the winter months. The following are some tips that drivers should remember when driving in North Carolina during the winter.

Will I be Deposed During a Personal Injury Suit?

January 30, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?”

Every personal injury case usually follows the same pattern — an injury occurs, a complaint is made, the discovery process happens, settlement negotiations begin, then on to the trial and judgement. Each step of a case involves other steps and procedures that must be done. For example, the discovery process is the time when both sides are building their cases and requesting documents from the other side. Another step that might happen during the discovery process is depositions. Depositions are a situation in which one party’s attorney is permitted to ask another individual questions under oath. The following are the basics of a deposition and what to expect.

I Was the Passenger in a Car Accident, Now What?

January 23, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What should I do if I have been injured by another party but I can’t afford a lawyer?”

It is bad enough being involved in a car accident when you are the driver, but being the passenger in a car accident can be even worse. As the passenger in the car, you are thrust into a situation in which you are dealing with injuries from an accident you did nothing to cause. Who is responsible for paying for the medical bills you now have? Who is responsible? The driver of the car you were in? Or, the driver of the other vehicle? The following are options available to you for injuries sustained as a passenger in a car accident.

Should I Settle a Personal Injury Suit?

January 16, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is the value of my case?”

The aim of a personal injury suit is to compensate an injured party for his or her injuries caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another. An injury can be devastating to a person. Not only is a victim left recovering physically, but he or she could experience mental distress and financial hardship. When most people think of filing a personal injury suit, they picture going to court and having a judge or jury come to a decision. However, the majority of personal injury suits never make it to trial. In fact, most cases settle before they even broach the option of a trial. A settlement involves both sides coming to an agreement about the injuries and the compensation owed. However, settlement is not right for everyone. You must consider a variety of factors before deciding whether to settle a case or go to trial.

How can I Strengthen My Car Accident Claim?

January 9, 2019 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Legal Briefs: What if the accident was my fault?

It is safe to say that either someone you know or you yourself have been involved in a car accident at some point. Car accidents can be anything from a minor fender bender to a multi-car pile-up on the highway. However “serious” a car accident is deemed to be, there is no way to predict the injuries that might result because of it. A “minor” accident can lead to a serious injury and a “major” accident can leave a driver or passenger with absolutely no injuries. There is just no way to predict the injury after a car accident. While you can not predict the injury that might result, you can take certain action to strengthen a personal injury claim after an accident occurs. A personal injury suit is a way to collect compensation for the damages suffered as a result of another’s negligence. Personal injury suits can be complicated and confusing, but each one can be approached with the same ideology: Strengthen your case as much as possible. A few simple actions can be the difference from being successful and unsuccessful in your claims.