North Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys

You will have an experienced team working on your case; a team that knows what needs to be done and how to do it as quickly as possible. Of course, it will depend on your case's unique circumstances. Most importantly, your case will not be settled until you have stopped treating and are ready to settle. In all matters, the legal assistants and attorneys will regularly inform you of progress toward settlement. You should also know that cases do not always settle. If the insurance company refuses to fairly compensate you, we may have no choice but to file a lawsuit. Lawsuits can take from one to three years to resolve.

North Carolina law may apply to your case in several ways. For example, if the accident you were in occurred in North Carolina while you were visiting the state, North Carolina laws would apply. We have also worked successfully with out-of-state clients and their local attorneys.

It may hurt your case if you speak to the insurance company before hiring an attorney. Many times, the information provided by the injured victim will be used to minimize or deny your injury claim. After you hire an attorney, you might only talk to the insurance company about things that will not affect your injury case, such as property damage repairs or getting a rental car. It is important to at least consult with an attorney if you have any questions before you speak with the insurance company. Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interest. Be wary about being asked to give a statement without legal representation. Also, the insurance company is not allowed to advise you about whether you need an attorney.

If we file a lawsuit for you, the defense attorney for the insurance company may take your deposition as part of the litigation process. You would give your deposition under oath in front of a certified court reporter. You will be asked a wide range of questions regarding your claim by the defense attorney. Your attorney will be present with you during the entire proceeding to make sure that any questions asked are proper.

Attorneys can only act with the client's permission. The attorneys at Hyland + Padilla, PLLC will not settle your case unless you decide to settle your case after being fully informed about all the options you may have.

Once you have hired us, there will be a team working on your case. Each client may have an attorney, paralegal, and legal assistant working for them. You will always be able to meet with and speak to your attorney when your attorney is available. If your attorney is not immediately available, the paralegal or legal assistant can often answer any question you may have. Our attorneys are often in meetings, depositions, on the phone, or in court. Nonetheless, our attorneys will take your calls when available and return your calls when not.

We handle cases on a contingency basis. This means that you pay our attorneys’ fees only if there is a recovery in your favor. The attorney's fee will be a percentage of your recovery—from 25% to 33 1/3%—that will come from the insurance settlement or jury verdict.

In North Carolina, if you have been injured by the negligence of another, you may have legal claims for damages you sustain. We offer an initial attorney consultation, at no cost to you, to help you determine if you have a case or if you should hire an attorney. Our attorneys will be able to advise you after the consultation on what your next step should be.

If we do not believe your case can prevail, we may choose not to move forward with it. If this is the case, we will always be open with you. If we cannot assist you, we may suggest you speak to another lawyer for an additional opinion.

Yes. We will periodically check in with you to see how you are doing when you are in medical treatment. We will also ask you to keep us updated on the status of your medical treatment. If your case is in litigation, you will receive updates as new developments arise in your case. We give each of our clients information at our initial meeting that explains in detail how your case is handled from the beginning to the end. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Most cases settle without going to trial or going to a hearing. We will thoroughly advise you on the risks and benefits of going to trial if the case cannot be settled.

This will depend on several factors. For example, the length of time you are in medical treatment can affect the overall duration of your case, as can the insurance company or liable party’s willingness to settle. At Hyland + Padilla, PLLC, we make every effort to resolve your case as quickly as possible.

Yes. We are your counselors and serve to help you make an informed decision, but the fact remains that it is your life, and you have the final say in how we proceed. You will not be pressured to make a particular decision if you do not feel it is right for you.

Again, this must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For example, a workers’ compensation case is evaluated differently than an automobile accident case or a medical malpractice case. There are many factors that determine the value of a case, such as medical expenses, the length of medical treatment, and the severity of your injuries, to name a few. To properly evaluate your case, you should speak to an attorney experienced in the specific area of law involved in your case.

There is no charge for an initial consultation—it is free. When you call one of our offices, located in Raleigh and Durham, no cost will be incurred at the initial consultation. If you decide to retain our firm for representation, a contract of representation will be signed that will outline the terms of representation.

No two cases are quite the same; every case should be evaluated individually. For example, in workers’ compensation cases, the employee is required to serve a copy of Form 18 on the employer and insurance carrier within 30 days from the date of the accident. For most personal injury cases in North Carolina, you have three years from the date of injury to sue for damages. It is vital to your case that you get in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible and ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.No two cases are quite the same; every case should be evaluated individually. For example, in workers’ compensation cases, the employee is required to serve a copy of Form 18 on the employer and insurance carrier within 30 days from the date of the accident. For most personal injury cases in North Carolina, you have three years from the date of injury to sue for damages. It is vital to your case that you get in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible and ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.