Lawyers in Greensboro, NC 

If you have suffered an injury in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence, North Carolina law says you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against that party. The lawyers in Greensboro, NC from our firm can help.

At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, our lawyers in Greensboro do everything they can to help each and every single person that enters our office. Our approach is, how can we help? We enjoy the practice of law not just because we have the opportunity to be in the courtroom on a consistent basis, but because we have the opportunity to help people.

When a client enters our office, our lawyers in Greensboro approach the case as if it were their own. The golden rule applies at our law firm, where are first thought is if this were my case, what would I want to have happen. Our lawyers in Greensboro understand that the most important skill a lawyer can possess is caring about their clients. We find that if you care, there’s nothing you won’t do to help your client and there’s no amount of time you won’t expend in doing so.

Our lawyers in Greensboro handle criminal cases. Criminal cases in North Carolina come in two varieties, misdemeanors and felonies. Our lawyers in Greensboro handle both. As to misdemeanors, these cases typically are sentenced at 150 days or less depending on the record of the accused. Only a couple of cases are sentenced for longer periods of time and those fall in the purview of DWI’s. Misdemeanors include: misdemeanor larceny, assault on a female, second degree trespass, shoplifting, simple affray, and a host of other charges. Our criminal lawyers in Greensboro also handle felony charges. These charges in North Carolina are punished in excess of one year. These can include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony drug trafficking charges, assault with the intent to kill, murder, obtaining property by false pretenses and possession with intent to sale and distribute drugs. Our lawyers in Greensboro are well versed in every type of criminal case and we also handle expungements at the close of the case where available.

Our lawyers in Greensboro also handle family law cases. We handle child custody situations where there’s a dispute as to who should have the child and for what amount of time. Our family lawyers in Greensboro also handle separation and divorce cases. In North Carolina you must be separated and living apart for at least one year before declaring for divorce. For a divorce, there’s a contested divorce and an uncontested divorce. Our lawyers in Greensboro handle both types of divorce. We also handle child support and domestic violence cases and 50B’s. Our lawyers in Greensboro handle every type of family law situation and we’re here for you.

Our lawyers in Greensboro NC also work on personal injury cases. At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, our lawyers in Greensboro handle every type of car accident case involving a personal injury. We advise clients daily on whether their claim has merit and if it has merit the steps it would take to achieve recovery. Our personal injury lawyers in Greensboro also handle trucking accident cases, which is where a commercial truck hits another car or a person. We represent clients in slip & fall cases as well as dog bite cases. One of the areas we’ve been putting a lot of focus on lately is traumatic brain injury. Our lawyers in Greensboro handle every type of personal injury case. Contact our car accident lawyers in Greensboro today if you or someone you know needs help with an accident or a personal injury case.

When it comes to traffic cases, look no further than Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson. Our lawyers in Greensboro handle speeding tickets of every sort. Whether it’s in a school zone, a careless and reckless driving charge, or it’s just plain old speeding, our lawyers in Greensboro NC handle every type of traffic related charge. We also handle driving while license revoked cases. Of note, you can be charged with DWLR, even though you’ve never had a license. Our lawyers also handle registration and insurance tickets when they’ve lapsed. Driving While Impaired is one of our primary practice areas. There’s so many impaired driving charges in Guilford County it’s almost unfathomable. With every case that enters our office we address the reasons for the stop, the standardized field sobriety tests, the portable breath test and whether or not the officer had probable cause to arrest. The dwi lawyers in Greensboro at our law firm do everything they can to help every client we have with their dui case.

Our law firm also handles workers compensation cases. Workplace injuries are more common than one can think and our lawyers in Greensboro work especially hard at maximizing recovery for our clients. At Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, our lawyers in Greensboro handle just about every type of case one can think of. It’s in the courtroom, chances are it’s a case we handle. Contact our lawyers in Greensboro for all of your legal needs. We’re here to help!

Elements Necessary to Prove a Personal Injury Claim

In order to prove a personal injury case, a lawyer needs to show that the following elements are present:

• The at-fault party had a duty of care not to cause harm. For example, the at-fault driver in a car accident has a duty of care to obey the rules of the road.
• The at-fault party breached that duty of care by engaging in negligent or reckless behavior, such as a driver who runs a stop sign and crashes into a vehicle that had the right of way.
• The victim suffered injuries as a direct result of that at-fault party’s breach of duty.
• The victim has suffered financial and other losses as a result of their injuries. This can include medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

NC lawyers know that each personal injury claim or lawsuit is different and each victim suffers different losses. There are certain factors that will affect the amount of damages a victim may be awarded. This can include the severity of their injuries and how long their recovery takes.

Generally, a victim can pursue damages for the following losses:

• Past, present, and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and benefits
• Loss of future income due to permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Scarring
• Disfigurement

What If I Was Partially At Fault for the Accident?

Every state has its own laws when it comes to personal injury cases. In some states, there are comparative negligence laws. There are two types of comparative negligence laws. The first determines what percentage the victim was responsible for their injuries and that percentage is deducted from the total amount of damages they were entitled to. This is referred to as pure comparative negligence. In the second type, modified comparative negligence, the victim will only recover if the victim is deemed to be less than 50 percent at fault.

If it is determined that the victim was in any way responsible for the accident that caused their injuries, they are not entitled to any financial compensation. This is called contributory negligence. Even if the victim was only five percent responsible, they will not be able to pursue a claim. Unfortunately, North Carolina is a pure contributory negligence state so if a victim shares any percentage of fault, they will not be able to pursue damages.

Why Photos Are Important for a Personal Injury Claim

In order to have a successful personal injury claim, you must have sufficient evidence. As lawyers in Greensboro, NC can confirm, photos are one of the most essential pieces of evidence you can have in a personal injury claim. Here is why:

• Photos tell the truth. While it is possible to lie about your description of the accident, photos tell the truth. If you, for example, were in a car accident, taking photos of the accident scene may prove how the crash actually happened and establish fault. It can be more difficult for the other side to argue with your account with the photos there in front of them.

• Your injuries heal over time. If you sustained visible injuries from an accident, such as lacerations or bruises, you should take pictures of them right away. Injuries can heal over time. If you take photos of them after they have healed a lot, they may not look as bad as you claim. Therefore, the other side may argue that you were not that badly hurt and try to devalue your claim.

• Photos can cause the jury to feel empathy. If your personal injury claim goes to trial, you will have to present your case in front of a jury. Showing photos of your injuries may create an emotional connection between you and the jury. They will see the kind of pain you have gone through and may empathize with you.

• Photos make it more difficult for the insurance company to deny your claim. As lawyers in Greensboro, NC can attest, insurance companies can argue that you are exaggerating your injuries. However, if you have visual proof of the extent of your injuries, they will have a more difficult time making these types of arguments.
  

Why Photos Are Important For A Personal Injury Claim Infographic

Tips for Taking Photos for Your Personal Injury Claim

It is important to have several good-quality photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Here are a few tips for taking these photos.

• Take photos from several angles and distances.
• Try to get as much light as you can in your photos. If the accident happened at night, you may want to use a flash to take the pictures.
• Take photos of the accident scene as soon as possible. If you wait too long to take photos, the accident scene may be altered.
• Capture photos of weather conditions. For example, if you were in a car accident and it was raining, take photos of that.
• Take photos of all the damages. In addition to physical injuries, your personal property may have been damaged from the accident. For instance, if you were in a car accident, you may want to take photos of the damage to your vehicle, such as dents and broken glass. If your clothes got damaged from the accident, take photos of those as well.
• Ask a bystander to take photos if you are too injured to do so yourself.

Contact our offices today to schedule a free initial consultation or with any questions you have about your situation.

5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING AN ATTORNEY 

You and your family is likely to be stressed after a personal injury happens. As such, the idea of “shopping” for attorneys can feel like another stresser in your life. However, it’s vital to make sure you’re choosing a suitable attorney for your case. Here are five things to consider when hiring an attorney: 

1. The Right Experience 

For starters, it’s better to choose an attorney or firm with years of experience. However, you also want to choose someone with the right amount of experience. Personal injury cases can cover a wide range, including everything from dog bites, car crashes, slip and falls, and more. While you don’t necessarily need to hire an attorney that specializes in dog bites or car crashes, you should hire one who has worked on similar cases as yours. 

2. Their Track Record 

You want an attorney who has a good track record, including the ability to win cases and who has never been in trouble with the law themselves (such as bar disciplinary hearings). “Winning” cases can come in many forms and despite what TV might suggest at times, many cases get settled outside of the court. Besides reading reviews and getting referrals from friends and family, ask any potential attorney for references. These references can include colleagues but past satisfied clients can make a bigger impact. 

3. What Is Their Strategy 

Every personal injury claim needs a strategy. Of course, while a strategy can adapt and change as time goes on, any potential attorney should have an initial strategy. You can ask about how they’ve dealt with similar cases in the past and, as you explain your case to them, ask them about any specific ways they’ll handle your case. 

4. If They’re Willing To Fight

As touch on before, most personal injury cases don’t go to trial. However, some still do make it to trial and you want to be any lawyers in Greensboro, NC, is ready for that. Besides going to court, a personal injury attorney also has other opportunities to fight the other side. Unfortunately, many times an insurance company will try to low-ball a victim. Normally, trying to get the insurance companies to budge on your own doesn’t work. However, an attorney can break through difficult roadblocks to help you get a better settlement. 

5. Does the Attorney Have the Time and Resources 

The simple fact is that attorneys can be busy. Additionally, some cases require extra time and resources non-typical of your average case. A professional attorney should always be straight with you as to whether or not they: 

• Have the time to devote to your case
• Have the necessary resources to help you 
• Are confident they can help you win

It may seem like a waste of time to sit down with a potential attorney only to tell them that they don’t think they can handle your case. However, this is much better than trying to work with an attorney only to discover months later they need to back out. Be sure to ask specific questions, like: “How much time can you devote to my case?” and “Do you feel confident in winning?” 

Greensboro Lawyer Statistics

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), there are over 1.3 million lawyers in the United States. This means that there is one lawyer for every 265 people in the country. The number of lawyers has been growing steadily over the past few decades, and it is expected to continue to grow in the future.

What issues will personal injury lawyers address in a personal injury case?

Lawyers in Greensboro, NC meet with victims in their initial appointment. They will take down all of the information and details of the accident that caused the injury and will then investigate the details in order to determine if there is a case to pursue.

Some of the evidence lawyers will use to make that determination include:

• Police reports
• Review of all medical documentation regarding the victim’s injuries
• Review of witness statements
• Review of any and all laws that may apply to the incident
• In some cases, the lawyer may also do a visit to the scene of the accident or injury.

How are lawyers paid?

In the majority of personal injury cases, the injury lawyer will work out a contingency fee agreement with the victim. A contingency fee is when the attorney keeps an agreed-upon percentage of any settlement or award the victim ends up receiving. A written contract is drawn up which clearly specifies what this percentage is and how it is paid. When payment is by contingency fee, then the attorney does not get paid if the victim does not receive any financial compensation.

Is it up to the victim to convince the insurance company that they are really injured?

No, it is up to the victim to focus on their recovery. Greensboro lawyers will present the proof their client was injured and has suffered losses. This includes medical reports, medical expenses, documented wage loss, and other documentation that shows the victim’s losses.

When will the insurance company offer the victim a settlement?

There is no way to predict when – or even if – the insurance company will offer the victim a settlement. In some cases, the parties may reach a settlement fairly quickly, while other cases will drag on for years before they settle or end up going to trial because an agreement is never reached.

How is the worth of a personal injury lawsuit determined?

It can be difficult to answer this question, particularly in the beginning stages of the case when the full extent of the victim’s injury may be unknown. It is also difficult to determine what the full value of all of the losses are. Some of the factors that are included in the calculation include:

• The full amount of all of the victim’s medical expenses
• The full amount the victim has lost in income and employment benefits from being unable to work as they recover from their injury
• Whether the injury has caused any permanent damage or disability, including disfigurement or scarring

Once a settlement is reached, how long does it take for the victim to receive their money?

In most cases, once the parties have come to a settlement agreement amount, the settlement process will typically take several weeks to complete. There are documents that victims are required to sign, including a release that states the victim is giving up their right to sue the party. Once the check arrives at the lawyer’s office, they will pay all of the medical bills which have yet to be paid. The lawyer will also deduct their agreed-upon fees, out-of-pocket expenses, and any other expenses that are associated with the case. After all of these deductions have been made, the victim will receive the balance.

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law – Greensboro Lawyers

317 S Greene St
Greensboro, NC 27401

Call Our Office for Legal Help

Personal injury claims can be complicated, especially if the injuries are serious and ongoing. The insurance company’s goal is to not pay the victim or to pay as little as possible. You need one of our NC lawyers advocating for you and making sure you get what you are entitled to under the law. Call Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law, PLLC today.