Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

A serious accident can turn your life upside down. You may be in pain, missing work, and facing growing medical bills with no clear answers. Insurance companies often prioritize their profits, not your recovery, and they may try to minimize what they owe you.

You don’t have to face this alone. The personal injury attorneys at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban are here to protect your legal rights and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

“I had a great experience working with Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban I was always treated with the utmost respect and professionalism. Each person from the firm was always very helpful and willing to answer all my questions regarding my case. Jenny and Melissa was a pleasure to work with. In the end, I received a great settlement and am very happy with my choice of representation.” — Tony C.

What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve. Our legal team builds strong cases by:

• Investigating the claim to identify the responsible party
• Preserving critical evidence to support your case
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Representing you in court when necessary
• Providing clear legal guidance throughout the process

We Help You Recover Medical Expenses, Lost Wages, and Other Damages

Vehicle accidents happen when you least expect them, and even minor injuries can lead to significant medical bills and time away from work. The physical and emotional effects may last much longer than the accident itself.

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, our law firm brings more than 200 years of combined experience. We help clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages caused by someone else’s negligence.

Helping You Move Forward After a Personal Injury

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to seek financial compensation. However, every state has strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim. Acting quickly helps protect your rights, preserve evidence, and keep your legal options open under your state’s statute of limitations.

When Should I Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney?

You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident, especially if you have serious injuries, multiple insurance companies are involved, or liability is in dispute.

Early legal guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes. Insurance companies may twist your words to shift blame and reduce their payout. At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, we help protect your rights from day one and guide you through every step of the process.

Can a Personal Injury Attorney Really Increase the Value of Your Settlement?

Insurance companies often try to settle personal injury claims quickly and for the lowest amount possible, sometimes before you even know how serious your injuries are. Many people accept these early offers without understanding what their case is truly worth.

Having a lawyer on your side sends a clear message to the insurer: you expect to be treated fairly and will not settle for less than you deserve.

We Handle Different Types of Personal Injury Cases for Our Clients

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, personal injury law is the core of what we do. Our attorneys handle a wide range of practice areas, including:

• Car accidents
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Products liability
• Slip and fall injury
• Commercial truck accidents
• Traumatic brain injury
• Workers’ compensation
• Wrongful death

Whatever the nature of your injury, we’re here to help you pursue fair compensation. Contact us for a free case review to learn how we may assist with your recovery.

Why Choose Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban

When you need a personal injury attorney with experience and a strong track record of ethical advocacy, Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban is here for you. Our team brings more than 200 years of combined legal experience to every case. Managing partner Don Marcari has tried numerous jury trials, including high-profile cases against major corporations.

Case Results

Here are some of the notable results our team has achieved for clients:

• $2,826,000 for a motor vehicle accident
• $645,000 for a pedestrian accident
• $600,000 for a head-on collision caused by an underinsured driver
• $600,000 in a wrongful death case

Testimonials

“I could have pursued bodily injury damages alone from the motorcycle accident, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Don Marcari was easy to work with, and both he and his team had my back through the entire process. Additionally, they communicated often with me to keep me posted on progress. Don knows BI law, and he put the other party’s insurance company in check. Trust me, you will want Don in your corner if you or a loved ever find yourself in need of a bodily injury attorney. I am incredibly appreciative of Don Marcari and his entire team at MRSB!” — Rod W.

“I am very impressed with the services I have received thus far. Madison has been amazing to work with and has been accessible and has answered all of my questions in a timely manner, expertise, and respect! I recommend this firm to anyone who may need their services! You will not be disappointed!” — Cindy O.

How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case

A free case evaluation is not just for the attorney to review your situation. It is also your opportunity to make sure the attorney and their legal services are the right fit for your case. Consider asking questions like:

• How much experience do you have negotiating with insurance companies?
• Do you regularly handle cases like mine?
• How do you typically approach cases like mine?
• How often do you update clients on their cases?
• How many of your cases have gone to trial, and what were the results?
• What happens if the at-fault party does not have insurance?

After the consultation, review the firm’s website, check client reviews, verify the attorney’s standing with the state bar, and look for any disciplinary history. Doing this research can help you choose an attorney who is experienced, communicative, and committed to your case.

Experience and Reputation

The attorney you choose should have experience with cases similar to yours. Not all personal injury attorneys handle every type of claim. Some may not take on dog bite cases, while others may focus only on car accidents and avoid premises liability claims.

Look for an attorney with a proven track record in cases like yours. For instance, if your claim involves a truck accident, you need someone who understands the federal and state laws that apply to commercial vehicles.

An attorney’s reputation with insurance companies and within the legal community can also influence how your case is handled and how negotiations unfold.

Attorney’s Approach and Personal Attention

Attorneys have different approaches to handling personal injury cases. Some focus on negotiation, while others take a more assertive path. What matters most is finding an attorney who listens, understands your goals, and tailors their strategy to your needs.

Communication and Comfort

Your attorney should communicate clearly and consistently throughout your case. Even when there are no major updates, they should check in regularly so you understand what is happening and what steps are being taken behind the scenes.

You should also feel comfortable discussing your case. Respect and trust are key, especially when personal or medical issues are involved.

A good attorney explains complex legal matters in plain language so you always know where your case stands and what to expect next.

What Is Considered a Personal Injury?

A personal injury occurs when someone else’s negligence or intentional act causes you harm. For example, if a reckless driver causes a crash that injures you, you may have the right to compensation.

Medical malpractice is another form of personal injury. If a doctor’s negligence causes harm, you may recover damages.

Slip and fall accidents can also result in injuries if a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions. For instance, if a city does not repair a cracked sidewalk and you trip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation.

What Types of Injuries Happen Due to Personal Injury Accidents?

Personal injury accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, such as:

• Bumps, scrapes, cuts, and bruises
• Strains, sprains, and soft tissue damage
• Simple and compound fractures
• Internal injuries
• Injuries to the face and eyes
• Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Burns
• Ear injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Poisoning-related injuries
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death

How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?

To have a personal injury case, you must prove negligence, which can be complex. An experienced attorney will review the facts and apply the law, focusing on:

• Duty of care: Whether the defendant had a legal responsibility to act safely. For example, drivers must obey traffic laws to protect others.
• Breach of duty: Whether the defendant failed to meet that duty, such as speeding or reckless driving.
• Causation: Whether the defendant’s actions directly caused the accident.
• Damages: Whether you suffered injuries or losses because of the accident.

How Can I Prove the Extent of My Injuries in a Personal Injury Claim?

Proving the full extent of your injuries requires strong evidence. Medical records and expert testimony are essential but may not be enough on their own. Photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene can support your claim, as well as keeping bills and receipts related to your treatment and recovery.

Maintaining a personal journal can also help. Record details such as:

• How you feel throughout the day (at least twice daily)
• Location and intensity of pain
• Dates and summaries of doctor visits

What Damages Could I Be Entitled to in a Personal Injury Case?

If you are injured in an accident, you may be entitled to different types of damages, depending on your losses and your state’s laws.

Economic Damages

These cover monetary losses and include:

• Medical bills for current and future treatment, including therapy
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Modifications to your home or vehicle for accessibility, like ramps or grab bars
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Certain court-related costs

You will need to provide bills and receipts to recover these damages.

Non-Economic Damages

These cover subjective losses that don’t have a specific dollar amount, such as:

• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of companionship or consortium
• Inconvenience
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Amputation

Experts often help assign value to these losses. Many states and insurance companies calculate non-economic damages using formulas based on economic damages.

How Do I Prove Who Is Liable for My Injuries?

Proving liability relies heavily on evidence. This may include accident reports, witness statements, surveillance videos, photographs, and expert analysis.

Your attorney will also calculate economic damages by compiling your medical bills and related expenses. For non-economic damages, many states and insurers use formulas based on the severity of your injuries and supporting documentation.

Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partly to Blame for an Accident?

Your ability to recover compensation may depend on your state’s laws if you were partly to blame for your injuries.

Some states, including California, Florida, New York, and Louisiana, use pure comparative negligence. This means you can recover damages even if you are 99% at fault, but your award will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of the damages.

Most states follow modified comparative negligence. Under this rule, you can only recover damages if you are less than 50% or 51% at fault, depending on the state. If you are more at fault than this threshold, you cannot recover any damages. For example, if the limit is 50%, and you are 49% at fault, you can recover 51% of damages; if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.

North Carolina and Virginia follow strict contributory negligence rules, which bar any recovery if you are even 1% at fault. South Carolina, by contrast, follows a modified comparative negligence rule, allowing recovery if you are less than 51% at fault, with your compensation reduced by your percentage of fault.

What Would My Personal Injury Case Be Worth?

The value of your personal injury case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, liability, and the limits of the at-fault party’s insurance.

An attorney at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban can evaluate these details and help you understand a fair settlement or award amount for your case.

Difference Between Settlement and Trial Awards

A settlement is an agreement negotiated with the insurance company, while a trial award is decided by a jury if your case goes to court. Insurance companies often start with lower offers than your case is worth.

If the final offer is much less than what you believe a jury would award, you can choose to reject the settlement and proceed to trial.

Sometimes, simply filing a personal injury lawsuit or preparing for trial encourages insurance companies to increase their offers because litigation is costly and uncertain.

How Long Do I Have to File My Personal Injury Claim?

The time to file a personal injury claim depends on your state’s statute of limitations, which is usually two or three years. However, you often need to notify the insurance company much sooner, which can sometimes be within days or weeks of the accident.

Statutes of Limitations in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. For wrongful death cases, the limit is two years. It is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer promptly to protect your rights and options.

North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims generally starts on the date the injury occurs.

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations may be tolled if the defendant is continuously absent from the state and cannot be served under the state’s long-arm statute. If valid service is made, even while the defendant is out of state, the tolling period ends.

If the injured person has a legal disability, such as being a minor or incapacitated, the statute of limitations does not begin until the disability ends.

Missing the deadline means you cannot recover compensation.

Statute of Limitations in South Carolina

South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. The wrongful death statute of limitations is also three years.

If the defendant is out of state, or if the injured person is a minor or incapacitated, the time limit may be extended until the disability ends.

Statute of Limitations in Virginia

Virginia’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. It includes exceptions for minors and incapacitated individuals, similar to North and South Carolina.

Claims against government agencies may have shorter notice deadlines. For example, in South Carolina and Virginia, you may need to file a formal notice of claim within one year of the incident if your case involves a public entity.

Failing to file within this time frame will prevent you from pursuing compensation. Consult an attorney promptly if you believe an exception applies to your case.

How Long Does a Typical Personal Injury Case Last?

Every personal injury case is unique, so the timeline can vary widely. Factors that affect how long your case lasts include:

• Complexity of the case
• Property damage involved
• Interaction with insurance adjusters
• Number of defendants
• Length of medical treatment and recovery
• Negotiation process
• Court schedules

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, we work diligently to resolve cases efficiently while helping you get the compensation you deserve. Some cases may settle in a few months, while others could take several years, depending on these factors.

Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Trial?

Most personal injury claims settle before going to trial. If the insurance company refuses a fair offer despite your attorney’s efforts, you may choose to file a lawsuit.

You must file the lawsuit before your state’s statute of limitations expires. Settlement discussions may continue during this phase.

Insurance companies often choose to settle as the trial date approaches, especially when facing a skilled litigator.

How Much Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Before hiring a personal injury attorney, ask about the firm’s fee structure. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay upfront. Instead, the firm receives a percentage of your settlement or award.

At Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, we handle cases on a contingency fee basis to help make legal representation accessible.

Schedule a Free Personal Injury Consultation with Our Firm

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence and face rising medical or insurance bills, the personal injury attorneys at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban are ready to help. We are dedicated advocates for accident victims and will support you through every step of the legal process.

Call us today at 855-435-7247 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our offices are located throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia to serve you.