Home   Our Attorneys   Workers' Comp.  Other Areas of Practice   Links    Directions  Contact Us

Personal Injury Law

If you are injured or someone you know has died as a result of another's negligence involving an automobile accident or defective product, certain legal rights may exist to protect you. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium and possibly punitive damages. Insurance companies are staffed with attorneys and adjusters who are well trained in resolving claims in the best interest of the insurance companies.

In a personal injury action, to recover from an adverse party, the adverse party must commit a negligent act of some sort. Negligence is the breach of a duty owed causing an injury. Not only must negligence be proven, you must not be negligent yourself. North Carolina law recognizes the principle of contributory negligence. In North Carolina, if you, through any negligence of your own, contribute to your own injuries, then you are barred from recovering damages from the negligent party.

Damages must also be shown in order to recover from one's negligence. Damages, entitling the person to lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering, are called compensatory damages. You may also be able to recover punitive damages which are damages awarded to the injured person to punish and deter the flagrant nature of the wrongful conduct. An example of a situation which may involve punitive damages occurs when the negligent person commits the act while under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the act.

If someone you know has died due to another's negligence or wrongdoing, you should look at protecting the rights of the decedent's estate. The personal representative of the estate may have a claim against the negligent person or entity. Parker & Howes can help you bring a claim on behalf of the deceased.

If you have any difficulty at all in handling your claim, we may be able to represent you in your claim against the insurance company. If we are representing you in a personal injury claim, we can help you:

• Obtain a RENTAL CAR, if you qualify.
• Settle your AUTO DAMAGES without filing suit at no cost to you.
• Obtain prompt MEDICAL PAYMENT service at no cost to you.

Our personal injury attorneys and professional staff are committed to resolving your case as quickly and fairly as possible. If the insurance company does not make an offer sufficient to properly compensate you, we can help you look at further options such as filing a lawsuit and trying your case before a jury.

We would be happy to discuss your legal rights with you on the phone or meet with you in our office. There is NO CHARGE for the initial consultation.

Please Note:
This webpage is designed to give general information only and is not intended to answer all questions or problems arising from a Personal Injury matter. It is not meant to provide legal advice as each case is different. Further information may be obtained by calling Parker & Howes for a free consultation. Feel free to call us anytime at (704) 871-0300 or  e-mail us at gsibbitt@parkerandhowes.com.