What is Accident Compensation?

In North Carolina, victims of accidents may be able to recover accident compensation. If an accident results in a fatality, family members of victims can pursue a claim to recover compensation.

Accident compensation is available when negligence or wrongdoing can be proved by the victim or by the victim’s family. The person, company, or agency which was negligent and caused the injury or death is responsible for providing the victim or victim’s family with compensation.

In most cases, an insurer pays the compensation to the victim. Homeowners’ or renters insurance, auto insurance, and business liability insurance are examples of insurance policies which could provide accident compensation to injured victims.

Compensation should make accident victims whole for all losses, although there are occasions when there is inadequate insurance coverage limits to compensate the victim. A victim of an accident should receive payment for past and future medical bills; loss of wages; lost earning power for limitations on earning; pain and suffering; permanent injury or disability; and emotional distress.

Under NC Statute section 28A-18-2, wrongful death damages should also include reasonable funeral expenses, in addition to lost companionship, medical expenses incurred by the deceased before death, and loss of lifetime earnings due to the untimely death.

Accident compensation may be obtained through a personal injury or wrongful death civil lawsuit, or through the negotiation of an out-of-court settlement with the entity who caused harm, or their insurance carrier.

A Charlotte, NC accident and injury attorney can provide assistance pursuing a case for accident compensation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible when an accident occurs so an attorney can begin the process of proving your right to compensation and negotiating fair compensation for accident losses.