If you have been injured in an accident that the city is responsible for you can file a claim for damages to cover your medical bills, property damage, lost wages or other expenses that are related to the accident. However, it is difficult to win a claim against the city.
There are very specific rules and timelines that your claim needs to follow in order for your claim to be successful. Working a personal injury attorney that has experience filing personal injury claims against the city is the best way to file a successful claim and get any damages that you are entitled to.
What Types of Accidents Is the City Responsible for?
There are many ways that accidents can occur that the city is liable for. The most common accidents occur with Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses. CATS buses can break down and cause accidents or drivers can act negligently and cause accidents with other drivers on the road. The most common reason why people file personal injury claims against the city of is due to bus accidents.
The city can also be held liable if you are involved in an accident that occurred because the roads were not in good shape. Huge potholes that weren’t fixed and caused an accident or other roadway problems or obstructions are the responsibility of the city to fix. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by poor road upkeep you can file a personal injury claim against the city.
Filing a Claim Against the City
Personal injury claims against the city are governed by the state Tort Claims Act. According to the Act, all personal injury claims must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. So if you were injured in an accident and it’s been more than a year you still have time to file a personal injury claim.
However, in North Carolina the contributory negligence rule applies. This rule says that if you are found to be at all responsible for the accident you cannot file a claim for damages.
If you’re not sure if you are eligible to file a personal injury claim talk to an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney. A skilled personal injury attorney can guide you through the claim filing process and help you at each step to make sure your claim is filed properly.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you are filing a personal injury claim against the city it’s essential to have an experienced personal injury attorney working with you. An attorney can help you figure out what proof you need to win your claim like medical records or accident reports and an attorney can help you navigate the claims process which will increase the chances that your claim will be successful. Complete the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an attorney who might be able to assist you with your claim!
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against the city of Charlotte, or the state government of North Carolina, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
