Hickory Personal Injury Lawyer

Dedicated Hickory Personal Injury Attorney

Accidents can occur anywhere at any point. These events can result in catastrophic injuries that leave victims maimed, disabled, or dead. If you feel that recent injuries were due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, a Hickory personal injury lawyer can help with your situation. A lawyer can be at your side for every stage of the proceedings and work for the compensation you deserve.

About Cody Law Firm

At Cody Law Firm, our team has decades of experience helping the people of Caldwell, Catawba, and Burke counties in a range of legal matters. Attorney Blair E. Cody, III, is a proud local who returned after graduating from law school to open his own practice here in Hickory. He is active in the legal community, serving as a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Association for Justice.

Overview of Personal Injury Cases in North Carolina

Personal injury claims are a common type of civil procedure in North Carolina. In fiscal year 2024-2025, 107,931 general civil cases were filed, including personal injury matters. Catawba County accounted for 1,853 claims, with 1621 dispositions and 879 pending by the end of the year. These claims can be a useful tool in obtaining justice.

Personal injury claims encompass a variety of situations where one party accuses another of being entirely responsible for an accident through negligence or recklessness. The person filing must prove negligence by demonstrating that the accused had a duty of care, that the obligation was breached in a manner that directly caused injuries, and that the accident created clear damages.

The courtroom in which your case is submitted and handled depends on the value of damages you seek. Claims worth less than $25,000 are handled at Catawba County District Court, while anything worth more is processed through Catawba County Superior Court. Both courtrooms are located inside the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton at 100 Government Drive.

Compensation for Personal Injury Claims

Compensation for a North Carolina personal injury claim varies between cases and is determined by the extent of harm inflicted upon the filing party. The two main categories for damages are economic and non-economic. Economic compensation covers the direct financial impact, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, future medical treatment, and a reduction in earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are used for intangible consequences of an accident. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and emotional distress. Punitive damages are available in select cases involving willful, negligent actions or fraud.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Personal injury claims take many forms in North Carolina. The following are a few common types of cases that Cody Law Firm represents:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are a common source of injury in North Carolina. In 2024, 121,758 emergency room visits in the state were linked to a motor vehicle accident. These incidents can occur on any road in Hickory, whether you’re driving on Interstate 40 or a neighborhood street, and can result in deadly or disabling injuries.

Personal injury claims for car accidents are centered around demonstrating that the incident was caused by another driver’s recklessness or negligence. Common grounds used to prove duty or care was breached are speeding, illegal merging, failing to yield at an intersection, distracted driving, or that another party was intoxicated.

Medical Malpractice

Everyone who seeks medical treatment should be confident that the healthcare professionals who assist them leave them better off. Unfortunately, every year, many patients are in worse health after treatment. Medical malpractice personal injury claims are used to hold negligent parties in the medical industry accountable. Cases may be pursued against individual workers or facilities. Medical malpractice cases take many forms. Examples include:

• Misdiagnosing a condition
• Avoidable surgical errors
• Prescribing the wrong medication or incorrect dose
• Neglecting care for a patient
• Failing to diagnose an illness despite clear evidence

Premises Liability

Premises liability involves injuries caused on another person’s property due to the owner’s negligent upkeep. Slips and trips are the most common type of personal injury case filed against property owners. Other examples include dog attacks, structural collapses, inadequate security, swimming pool accidents, and exposure to harmful materials.

Workplace Injuries

Many workplace injuries are resolved through workers’ compensation claims. However, personal injury claims can be utilized in specific situations. The most common workplace injury cases involve third parties that caused an accident aside from the employer.

Product Liability

Product liability claims center around injuries caused by purchased items. These can take many forms, such as inadequate warning labels, design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, or defective goods sold. The liable party can be difficult to establish and can be any group along the creation and distribution process.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims are used when a loved one dies due to negligence. In North Carolina, the only party that can pursue legal action is the personal representative of the executor named in their will or appointed by the courts.

Wrongful death claims tend to be worth the most out of all personal injury claims. These cases have several unique categories of damages, such as funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship for a deceased spouse, loss of consortium for a family member, and loss of guardianship for minor children.

What to Do After an Accident

The actions after an accident can play a crucial role in determining your legal options later on. The first step directly after an incident is to assess yourself and others for life-threatening conditions. Your well-being comes before building any case. The largest 24/7 emergency room in Hickory is at the Frye Regional Medical Center on North Center Street. You should still seek medical treatment if you seem unharmed, as some injuries can take days for symptoms to appear.

If everyone is medically stable, the next step is to report the accident to the relevant party. This appropriate group changes between each case. This can mean calling the police after a car accident, reporting a workplace accident to your employer, notifying the property owner, and contacting your healthcare provider.

After reporting the accident, collect as much evidence as possible of the accident. Documentation gathered right after an accident is often stronger than waiting weeks or months. This can take the form of taking pictures or videos of the accident site, recording a full account while it is still fresh in your mind, and gathering witnesses’ contact information. Police reports, medical records, and communication logs are also essential pieces of evidence collected later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims can be overwhelming proceedings, with many making similar mistakes across cases. The following are a few common errors you should avoid in your claims:

• Admitting fault. After an accident, many people say sorry or state they are fine to be polite. This impulse can be used as evidence of admitting fault, barring you from obtaining compensation.
• Ignoring your doctor’s orders. Ignoring treatment plans or missing medical attention can affect your recovery and devalue your compensation.
• Social media posts. Any social media post made following an accident, whether or not related to the event, can be used to argue that injuries are less severe than claimed.
• Accepting early settlements. Personal injury claims are often exhausting processes, leaving injured parties eager to settle. Accepting an offer without a thorough review by an attorney can lead you to receive much less than you are owed.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

The aftermath of an accident can be filled with countless financial, medical, and personal issues. Hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim while you focus on other pressing matters. Your Hickory personal injury attorney can help in each aspect of your case. A few ways that Cody Law Firm can assist include:

• Explain your options. In your initial consultation, one of our attorneys can learn your story and advise on whether a personal injury claim or a separate legal pathway fits your situation.
• Determine the liable party. Many cases involving companies or larger entities can make identifying who is liable difficult. Your lawyer can review the case and determine the negligent party.
• Gather evidence. Evidence plays a central role in many personal injury cases. However, it can be challenging to collect it after an accident. Our team can work with you to gather documentation of negligence.
• Prepare argument. Each personal injury case requires a unique strategy. We can work with you to build an argument that matches the details of your situation.
• Draft and file paperwork. Personal injury matters require precise structuring in documents. Skilled legal counsel can draft all paperwork for your case and file it before each deadline.
• Negotiate with other parties. Most personal injury claims resolve with a settlement between the parties. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf throughout discussions and work for a favorable deal.
• Represent you in court. Court appearances can be intimidating. We can represent you at all preliminary hearings and trial stages, both in and out of the courtroom.

FAQs

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Case in North Carolina?

The deadline for filing a personal injury case changes based on the details of your case. North Carolina’s personal injury laws establish a standard time limit for submitting a formal complaint within three years of the date of the accident. This time window may be extended in scenarios where symptoms take longer to appear or when evidence is hidden. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death.

Can You Receive Damages if Partially At-Fault for an Accident in North Carolina?

One common question people have when considering pursuing a personal injury claim is whether they can receive compensation if partially responsible for causing an accident. North Carolina’s contributory negligence standards mean that someone is only eligible for damages if they had no role in the event. You may be barred from compensation even if found to be 1% at-fault.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Resolve in North Carolina?

The total length of your North Carolina personal injury claim depends on many variables, such as the complexity of the case, the parties involved, the value of sought compensation, and whether a trial is necessary. A straightforward claim with minor damages and a negligent party eager to settle can be resolved quickly. In contrast, matters with multiple levels of negligence that require extensive review and a jury verdict could take a long time.

Do All Personal Injury Claims in North Carolina Require a Trial?

In North Carolina, not all personal injury claims require a jury or judge trial. Many civil matters are settled out of court through negotiations in the pre-trial phase. Situations that may need a trial are those where the defendant disputes negligence or a settlement sum cannot be agreed upon. During your initial consultation, your personal injury attorney can review your situation and estimate the likelihood of whether a full trial is necessary.

What Should You Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You should review many different elements when looking for a personal injury lawyer. First is experience. Your attorney should have a proven track record in similar cases. Another factor to look for is transparency in expenses and results. Avoid law firms that make guarantees on case outcomes or are vague about legal costs. Finally, seek a lawyer who is a clear communicator who provides consistent updates and expectations for each stage of your case.

Speak With a Hickory Personal Injury Attorney Today

Cody Law Firm knows how difficult personal injury claims can be to navigate alone. Our team can guide you through every stage and use our decades of legal experience to make a positive impact on the proceedings.

Reach out today by calling us or using our online contact form to schedule your initial consultation. During this meeting, we can learn your story, explain your options, and provide strategies for obtaining justice. You may also visit our Hickory offices, located on First Avenue Southwest, across the street from the post office, west of Robinson Park, and a block south of City Hall.