Where Car Accident Trials Are Held in North Carolina
If you were injured in a serious car accident caused by someone else’s careless behavior in North Carolina, you may be thinking about filing a car accident lawsuit to seek financial compensation. For some injury victims, the thought of going to court can be daunting. However, at Riddle & Brantley, LLP, we have years of experience handling car accident claims, and we know that car accident trials are rare.
What do we mean when we say that car accident claims usually do not end up in the courtroom? In short, many injured people are able to recover compensation through settlement negotiations rather than a trial. This means that your Raleigh car accident lawyer will try to secure a fair settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If the insurance company simply refuses to make a fair settlement offer, however, we have the experience necessary to take your case to the court and advocate for your right to compensation.
Car Accident Cases Are Civil Matters
It is important to understand that car accident lawsuits for financial compensation are separate from any criminal responsibility that may arise from the accident. Generally speaking, there are two different sets of laws in North Carolina: civil law and criminal law. Civil lawsuits, or civil actions, are defined by § 1-6 of the North Carolina General Statutes. You might also have heard of a civil action being described as a tort case.
A “tort” is an “act or omission that gives rise to injury or harm to another and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability,” according to the Cornell University Legal Information Institute. In other words, a tort simply refers to a careless action that someone took (or failed to take) that caused harm to someone else, such as a texting driver who causes a serious accident.
Personal injury lawsuits are one facet of civil law, according to a document from the North Carolina Courts. Civil cases result may financial compensation for a victim, while criminal cases may result in fines, jail time or other criminal penalties for the offender.
Courthouses Where Car Accident Trials Take Place
Similar to criminal trials, civil trials are held at courthouses throughout North Carolina. If you have a car accident case in Raleigh, Goldsboro, Kinston, or Jacksonville, you may become familiar with these courthouse locations:
- Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC
- Wayne County Courthouse, 224 E. Walnut St., Room 230, Goldsboro, NC
- Lenoir County Courthouse, 130 S Queen St., Kinston, NC
- Onslow County Courthouse, 625 Court St., Jacksonville, NC
Different courthouses have different layouts, but your car accident lawyer can help prepare you for the courtroom if your case does not settle. In court, a dedicated North Carolina auto accident attorney will advocate for your right to financial compensation and will work tirelessly on your behalf.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in North Carolina
If you sustained injuries in a car accident, an experienced car accident attorney in North Carolina can discuss your options with you today for filing a claim.