Personal Injury Lawyer in Oak Ridge, NC

Did you suffer an injury in a motor vehicle collision, slip-and-fall accident, or another preventable incident in Oak Ridge, North Carolina? If so, you may worry about paying your hospital bills and covering household expenses while you’re too hurt to work. The aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, but Ward Black Law can help you seek justice and compensation for the harm you suffered.

Our personal injury lawyers have experience handling a wide range of injury cases in Oak Ridge and throughout North Carolina. We can help you pursue compensation to cover the costs of medical treatment and other accident-related expenses, as well as the pain you were made to endure. By letting us handle this complex process on your behalf, you’ll give yourself the time and space you need to heal.

You should not be left paying for injuries that weren’t your fault. Instead, contact our firm today and find out what a personal injury lawyer in Oak Ridge, NC, can do for you.

How Our Oak Ridge Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You

Handling a personal injury case can be complicated and confusing, but the right lawyer can take care of the details for you and give you peace of mind. When you hire a trusted Oak Ridge personal injury attorney at Ward Black Law, you can count on us to help you by:

• Explaining your rights and identifying all sources of compensation for your case
• Conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances of your injury
• Communicating with employers, insurers, and other parties on your behalf
• Obtaining medical records, incident reports, and other evidence for your claim
• Interviewing eyewitnesses and reliable experts for compelling case testimony
• Managing essential case documents, details, and deadlines on your behalf
• Filing claim paperwork and negotiating forcefully to maximize your case value
• Taking your case to court and representing you at trial, if the other side won’t pay

Types of Oak Ridge Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The lawyers of Ward Black Law have more than 30 years of experience helping local injury victims like you. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlements and trial verdicts for our deserving clients. Our team has experience handling all types of personal injury cases, including those involving:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability incidents
• Work-related accidents
• Workers’ compensation claims
• Asbestos-related diseases
• Defective drug incidents
• Product liability incidents
• Class-action lawsuits
• Wrongful death claims

Common Types of Injuries in Lawsuits

People who file personal injury lawsuits often suffer severe injuries that require costly medical care and ample time to heal. The common types of injuries that give rise to personal injury lawsuits include:

• Head and neck injuries
• Facial injuries and dental trauma
• Back and shoulder injuries
• Seatbelt and airbag injuries
• Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
• Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
• Dislocated or broken bones
• Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
• Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
• Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
• Thermal, chemical, and friction burns
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Amputation and loss of limb
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Partial or total paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Emotional and psychological injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Fatal injuries and wrongful death

Do I Have an Injury Claim If I Sustained Injuries in an Accident?

Typically, you have grounds for a personal injury claim if someone else’s actions or behavior contributed to your injuries. For instance, if another driver crashed into your vehicle and injured you, you would likely be able to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against them if there is evidence their actions caused the accident.

However, you should know that North Carolina courts follow a doctrine called “pure contributory negligence,” which can significantly impact your case. Under this rule, an injury victim may not receive compensation from an at-fault party in a personal injury claim if they are even 1 percent to blame for the incident.

This law makes it difficult for injured people to pursue fair compensation, especially when other parties try to avoid liability by shifting blame. That is why it is essential to work with a knowledgeable attorney who can protect your rights and minimize your share of fault.

How Prevalent Are Accidents in Oak Ridge, NC?

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Oak Ridge sees a surprising number of accidents given its small size. Consider the following statistics:

• In one recent year, Oak Ridge ranked the 125th most dangerous city out of 452 North Carolina cities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
• Of 322 traffic accidents that occurred in Oak Ridge that year, three were fatal, and 59 resulted in nonfatal injuries.
• That same year, 3.42 percent of Oak Ridge traffic accidents were alcohol-related.

What Compensation Is Available for an Oak Ridge Injury Claim?

With a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you could pursue compensation for the following types of injury-related losses:

• Hospital bills and other medical expenses you incur due to your injuries
• Incidental expenses, such as out-of-pocket travel costs for doctor’s appointments
• Reduced income from any time you miss at work due to your injuries
• Projected losses in your earning capacity, if you suffer permanent impairments
• Injury-related pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life

Is There a Time Limit for Filing an Oak Ridge Personal Injury Claim?

Yes. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 1-52, you have three years from the date when you suffered your injuries to file most types of personal injury lawsuits. Even if you don’t intend to sue, this three-year deadline is critical, as the ability to threaten a lawsuit is a crucial bargaining chip during settlement talks. The attorneys of Ward Black Law can identify critical legal deadlines and keep your case on track.