Most personal injury cases — claims by victims of car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, slip and fall accidents — are settled out of court. Plaintiffs can save time and money when they can settle their cases without having to go to trial. When you’re represented by a Hardison &…
If you’ve suffered a permanent disability that prevents you from working, you may have the right to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance program. Although this program provides monthly financial payments to qualifying applicants, SSDI recipients may also qualify for other state and federal benefits. SSDI Defined…
People who suffer serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often experience lifelong health complications. TBIs are often caused by a forceful blow or jolt to the head and are common in car accidents, falls, and other hard impacts to the head. A TBI can permanently alter a person’s cognitive and physical…
You may have a personal injury claim if you suffered injuries in an accident or incident caused by someone else’s carelessness or misconduct. If you sustained a significant injury, you may have a right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you believe…
Accidental injuries are a serious problem in North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that injury-related deaths spiked 23 percent over a recent five-year period. Hospitalizations increased 10 percent during that time, with more than 746,500 emergency room visits in a single year alone. That data…
Severe accidents can generate thousands of dollars of medical bills. It’s no wonder that people who have sustained major injuries often experience financial stress and hope for a quick settlement. However, the desire to reach a quick settlement sometimes backfires and leaves injury victims financially liable for thousands of dollars…
If someone else hurt you, they should have to compensate you for what you’ve lost financially, including medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. However, the effects of a serious injury are not merely economic in nature. They also have an emotional component, one that’s every bit as real and…
You might assume that running a red light is always illegal in North Carolina. But under certain circumstances, motorcyclists may proceed through a red light. To contend with the issue of sensors not always recognizing motorcycles, the state of North Carolina has a safe-on-red law that allows motorcyclists to proceed cautiously through…
At Hardison & Cochran, our personal injury lawyers commonly hear questions from clients along the lines of “Do you have to pay taxes on personal injury settlements?” or “Are settlements taxable?” The answer is yes, portions of personal injury settlements or awards are taxed, but most of the damages recovered…
No, it’s not. It’s illegal to use a cell phone for texting or email, including while stopped at a red light while operating a motor vehicle in North Carolina. North Carolina law does allow talking on a cell phone by passenger vehicle drivers over the age of 18. Most drivers…
