Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim?

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you may be wondering: “Do I have a personal injury claim?” The answer depends on several factors, including how the injury happened, who may be at fault, and how the injury affects your life. This guide will walk you through what makes a valid personal injury case, how personal injury valuation works, and when to talk to an attorney. Knowing your rights is the first step in protecting them.

To determine if you have a personal injury case, it helps to know the basic requirements. This relies on proving that another party’s negligence caused you harm. If your situation meets the following criteria, you may have grounds to pursue compensation:

• Duty of care: The other party had a responsibility to act with reasonable caution. For example, a business owner must maintain safe conditions, and drivers must operate their vehicles safely.
• Breach of duty: That duty was violated through careless or reckless behavior, such as drunk driving, failing to fix a known hazard, or ignoring safety rules.
• Causation: The other party’s negligence directly led to your injury, and the harm would not have occurred otherwise.
• Damages: You suffered measurable physical, emotional, or financial losses as a result of the injury.

Some of the most common examples of personal injury claims include: 

• Car accidents
• Slip and fall injuries
• Dog bites
• Pedestrian or bicycle accidents
• Workplace accidents involving third-party negligence

You don’t need to be severely injured to bring a claim. Emotional distress, lost income, or other harm may also justify speaking with a personal injury attorney about your options.

Knowing whether you meet the lawsuit requirements for a personal injury case can feel overwhelming, especially during recovery. If you are asking, “Do I have a personal injury claim?,” these indicators can help you decide if it’s time to speak with an attorney:

• Medical expenses related to your injury: Ongoing or anticipated treatment costs may be recoverable.
• Lost income or inability to work: If your injury affects your job or earning potential, you may have a valid case.
• Pain and suffering or emotional distress: Injuries often impact quality of life beyond the physical harm itself.
• Evidence of negligence: Accident reports, photos, or witness statements showing another party’s fault can strengthen your claim.

Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen. Speaking with an experienced attorney early helps protect your rights and ensures your claim is evaluated properly.

No two injuries, and no two lives, are alike. That’s why personal injury claims are valued based on your unique circumstances, starting with the type and severity of your injury. For example, while bruises or lacerations may heal quickly, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to lasting medical needs and life changes. Both deserve serious attention, but they can affect your future in very different ways.

When our team evaluates a case, we consider:

• Economic damages: These are measurable costs like medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, or property damage.
• Non-economic damages: These cover the pain, emotional distress, or reduced quality of life that an injury can bring.
• Punitive damages (in rare cases): These are awarded when extreme negligence or misconduct is involved, to help prevent similar harm to others.

Our attorneys look beyond the numbers. We take time to understand how your injury affects your daily life, work, and future. We pursue compensation that truly reflects what you’ve lost—and what you’ll need to move forward.

In North Carolina, personal injury claims are subject to strict rules and deadlines: 

• Statute of limitations: You generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim, and two years for wrongful death cases. Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering damages.
• Burden of proof: You must show that another party’s negligence caused your injuries, using evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, or medical records.
• Contributory negligence: North Carolina’s strict rule means that if you are even 1% at fault, you may not recover compensation.

Acting quickly helps preserve crucial evidence and strengthens your claim. An experienced attorney for bodily injury can anticipate defenses, gather key proof, and build a claim that protects your rights.

If you’re unsure whether you have a personal injury case, you don’t have to face the process alone. The attorneys at Miller Law Group can review your situation, explain your rights, and guide you toward the best course of action. Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident, we’re here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait until important deadlines pass. Contact Miller Law Group today to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your future.