If you’re hurt in any sort of accident, you should really talk to an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney in Charlotte can help you get the damages you deserve. While there’s no law that says you need to hire a lawyer to represent you, it’s a good idea to at least talk to a lawyer. They can let you know if you have a claim to begin with.
When you meet with your personal injury lawyer in North Carolina, they’ll review your case. They’ll look at any documentation you have. This could include any of the following:
- A copy of the police report
- Copies of letters and emails from the insurance companies
- Pictures
- Medical records
- Copies of any bills you’ve accrued as a result of the accident
If your attorney thinks you have a valid claim, they’ll let you know. They may even be able to give you an idea of what your claim is worth. Then, if you decide to retain the attorney, you’ll sign a retainer agreement. From this point forward, your Charlotte accident lawyer will handle the legal side of things. They’ll negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company. And, if need be, they’ll file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
What a lot of people ask is – can they change their mind? Is a plaintiff allowed to change their mind about filing suit after it has been filed in North Carolina? Here, we’ll talk about why someone would want to do this. We’ll also discuss what your rights are as a plaintiff.
Hopefully, the Insurance Company Will Pay Your Claim
Your attorney’s goal is to get the defendant’s insurance company to just pay your claim. This is the fastest and cheapest way to get you the money you deserve. However, if the insurance company wanted to pay your claim, they would’ve already done it. The good news is that your Charlotte injury lawyer has years or decades of experience negotiating with insurance adjustors. If there’s any way to get your claim settled, they’ll find it. If this happens, you won’t have to worry about filing suit at all.
If you do need to file suit, it’s a decision only you can make. Your attorney can guide you and provide you with a recommendation. However, they won’t force you to do anything. If you don’t want to move forward, you don’t have to. Your lawyer won’t be mad at you for changing your mind. If they think you have a strong case, they may strongly recommend that you file suit. But the final decision is yours.
If You Choose to File Suit Can You Withdraw it Later?
A plaintiff has the right to dismiss their complaint at any time. If you file suit against a defendant and decide later that you don’t want to move forward, you have that right. Your attorney will withdraw your complaint or file a motion to dismiss. In fact, the defendant will gladly sign a stipulation to this effect. However, it’s important that you make sure your case is dismissed without prejudice. This way, you can refile it later on if need be.
There are a few reasons why someone may decide to dismiss their complaint:
- You think you need more time to determine the extent of your injuries
- The defendant is a friend or neighbor and you don’t want to destroy your relationship
- You don’t think you have a reasonably good chance of winning
Talk to a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte As Soon as Possible
If you or your loved one are injured in any sort of accident, you should call our office. It’s a good idea to at least talk to a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte before you decide how you want to proceed. You may decide that your damages aren’t that bad, and you don’t want to sue at all. Or, you may want your attorney to negotiate a settlement of your insurance claim. If that doesn’t work, you’ll want to consider your options. There’s nothing wrong with this. It’s just important to understand what happens if you decide later that you don’t want to pursue your claim.
The first thing you need to do is call and schedule your initial consultation with our office. Sit down with an attorney who can help you decide how you want to proceed. If you decide that you don’t want to follow through with your lawsuit, that is your prerogative. Just keep in mind – if you decide to dismiss your suit later on, it could hurt your chances at recovering damages.
