Personal Injury
BEING INJURED
An injury is a life-altering event. Not only for you but for your family, friends, co-workers and other people you associate with daily. It is an hourly struggle for all involved. You can’t concentrate. Your productivity decreases. You don’t feel good. You are not the same. After working in this field for many years, the attorneys at our firm understand the consequences and accept the very heavy burden of trying to convince others of your situation. People who have not been injured do not understand how much you would rather be returned to who you were before the injury rather than to be compensated in the form of dollars. However, at present, the “magic wand” is not available and the only remedy comes in the form of money. Unfortunately, people have an incorrect perception of the motivation of those who have been injured. The attorneys in our firm recognize the importance of overcoming that problem utilizing methods obtained only through years of experience.
PERSONAL INJURY
The firm of Aycock and Butler, PLLC consists of three lawyers who are Advocates for the Injured. We render legal services primarily for persons injured on the Outer Banks of North Carolina due to the fault of another. An injury which is compensable can occur in several ways. Most of the cases handled by the firm result from automobile collisions. However, people are frequently injured due to a defective product, and, in some limited circumstances, when an owner or manager of a real property fails to adequately care for the safety of their patrons.
When a person has been injured he or she should consider many things before making inquiry with an attorney. Those important aspects are as follows.
LOCATION OF THE FIRM
Is it important to hire a lawyer who lives and works in the community where I was injured? We think so. The following is a list of reasons, which should be considered.
1. CONTACT – More often than not, something will occur in your personal injury case that needs immediate attention. The ultimate value of your case may be substantially affected by how quickly the matter can be addressed. It could be that the investigating officer or some other Outer Banks professional needs to become involved. Is it in your best interest to hire an attorney in Virginia or even Greenville or Jacksonville, North Carolina? This firm believes you need someone who is readily available and is familiar with the people or entities located on the Outer Banks which may render assistance in addressing pressing needs.
- KNOWLEDGE – Consisting of licensed North Carolina attorneys, this firm is not only familiar with the laws of in our state, but is also familiar with the local rules and regulations as promulgated by the First Judicial District of North Carolina. The importance of this knowledge cannot be overstated. For example, there are expenses involved with the prosecution of any claim. There are doctrines of law unique to North Carolina, such as contributory negligence, which could prevent you from recovering any money whatsoever. A lawyer who does not routinely practice in the State of North Carolina, even though licensed, may not be aware of the case law applicable to your particular factual circumstance and you can find yourself in a situation wherein you are spending money on a worthless case. Accordingly, a proper initial evaluation is essential.
- INVESTIGATION – If an insurance company can deny liability, it will do so. You can be assured that an expedient investigation of the facts will take place on the part of the insurance company with a view towards trying to find evidence which will allow them to deny the claim. If an attorney does not live and work on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the chances of an expedient and complete investigation are substantially diminished.
- EXPERIENCE – If an attorney does not routinely practice in the Courts of the First Judicial District, that attorney is at a decided disadvantage. Rapport with the court personnel who administer your case, not to mention those who may make decisions affecting same, is a distinct advantage. For example, in North Carolina, if the at-fault driver is ticketed by the investigating officer, the outcome of that charge may substantially affect the outcome of your civil case. Because they are local, the attorneys with the firm of Aycock & Butler, PLLC can monitor, daily, the court activity surrounding the respective charge. When the time comes to negotiate potential settlement with an insurance adjuster, the knowledge of the outcome of the proceeding is essential.
Secondly, there can be harsh penalties to a victim whose attorney does not follow the proper procedures, rules and regulations because of lack of knowledge. Those penalties could include dismissal of your claim.
In addition, local lawyers will be personally acquainted with the local Judges, Clerks of Court, investigators, law enforcement personnel and other governmental officials.
