An unexpected accident can cause significant hardships for victims and their families. Not only are you dealing with painful injuries, but you may also have to miss work, pay expensive medical bills, and worry about your future as you try to navigate the complex insurance process.
Because North Carolina has strict fault rules, it’s important to have a legal professional you can trust by your side. Our Winston-Salem personal injury lawyers understand what you’re going through and are committed to protecting your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Hiring a Winston-Salem Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
North Carolina is one of the few remaining states that follows the strict “contributory negligence” rule, which completely bars a victim from recovering compensation if they were even 1% at fault for their injuries. This means if you share any responsibility for the accident, you may not have the ability to claim financial relief for your losses.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may use this to their advantage and try to shift the blame to you to avoid paying your claim. Our Winston-Salem personal injury attorneys can protect you from these unfair insurance tactics. Through meticulous preparation, strategic insight, and disciplined case management, we build a strong case and fight for fair and full compensation.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case in Winston-Salem?
You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim if negligence led to your accident and injuries. However, you must establish all elements of negligence, including:
- Duty of care: First, you must show that the at-fault party had a legal duty to exercise reasonable care. For example, a driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely while driving in Winston-Salem.
- Breach of duty: Next, there must be a failure in their duty of care. This could be a driver running a red light.
- Causation: The breach of duty must have caused the accident, such as a driver running a red light and hitting another vehicle that had the right of way.
- Damages: Lastly, you need to show that you suffered measurable harm, such as physical injuries, financial losses, or emotional distress.
Speak with an experienced lawyer to see if you have a qualifying claim and how you can move forward with legal action.
What Sets Our Winston-Salem Personal Injury Lawyers Apart?
When Justice Counts™, you can count on Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. Led by father-daughter attorney partners, our family-run law firm has longstanding North Carolina roots and has served the Winston-Salem community for more than 40 years. Here’s why our award-winning attorneys (see disclaimer below) continue to be a trusted choice for injury victims:
Your injury claim is too important to leave to chance. Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case review and learn more about how a personal injury lawyer in Winston-Salem can help you.
How We Treat Our Clients
We treat each client with the same care and respect we would give our own family, offering compassionate support and legal advocacy to help you get through the difficult times that follow an accident. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“I was stuck. I had a valid insurance claim but was denied coverage by my insurance company. My appeal was also denied. Then Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers got involved. They went to battle for me. My attorney was tough, thorough, and tenacious and won my case. I don’t know where I would be without Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers.”
– Gary B.
“Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers gave me excellent representation and advice. I was treated honestly and with respect. I highly recommend the entire firm. Five stars and above. Each individual I dealt with was courteous, respectful, and honest. Thank you for your wonderful representation.”
– Melvin T.
“They really care about their clients and strive to help in any way possible. They don’t make a person’s case feel insignificant. No matter the claim or case, it feels like Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is there for their client and not just a big payday … I’ve worked with Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers twice now and both times have been to my full satisfaction.”
– Christopher F.
Team-Based Representation
When you work with us, you can expect clear, consistent communication with a dedicated legal team assigned to your case, including an attorney, a paralegal or case manager, and support staff.
Insider Experience
Our firm employs case managers with insurance industry experience and investigators with law enforcement backgrounds in North Carolina. This insight helps us anticipate insurance tactics and conduct detailed investigations early in the case.
Strategic Case Development
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has recovered over $900 million since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below). These case results reflect careful investigation, precise liability analysis, and disciplined case development before negotiations or litigation.
Accessible Legal Help
We make it easier to access quality legal help when you need it, with a bilingual staff, 24/7 availability, and flexible consultation options. You don’t need an in-person meeting to start your case. We can connect by text, phone, email, or virtual meeting.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Winston-Salem
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we proudly represent accident victims throughout Winston-Salem and the surrounding communities. If you or a loved one were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, our experienced attorneys can help with these types of claims:
Car Accidents
Car crashes can leave victims with serious injuries, lengthy recovery times, lost income, and financial struggles. Our Winston-Salem car accident lawyers can protect you from being blamed for the accident and demand full compensation for your losses. We can also assist with traffic crashes that involve bicycles and pedestrians.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists often suffer life-changing injuries when drivers fail to share the road responsibly. If you were injured by a careless or distracted driver, speak with our Winston-Salem motorcycle accident lawyers to learn how we can help.
Truck Accidents
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or heavy commercial trucks often cause severe or fatal injuries. Our Winston-Salem truck accident lawyers can hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for your crash.
Dog Bites
If you suffered a dog bite, you may have the right to pursue compensation under North Carolina law, depending on the circumstances of the attack and the dog owner’s conduct. Our Winston-Salem dog bite lawyers can help you pursue compensation for medical treatment, emotional distress, and other losses.
Bus Accidents
Injuries involving public transit, school buses, or private carriers require skilled legal representation. Our bus accident lawyers know how to navigate claims involving government agencies and private transportation companies alike.
Slip and Falls
If a property owner was careless in their duty to keep their premises safe, you may be entitled to compensation if you were hurt in a fall. Connect with our Winston-Salem slip and fall lawyers to learn more about your legal options.
Negligent Security
Property owners must take reasonable steps to protect visitors. If poor security conditions led to your assault or injury, our negligent security lawyers can help you build a strong injury claim and pursue justice.
Defective Products
If a defective product injured you, you have rights. Our Winston-Salem defective product lawyers can pursue claims against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers who failed to ensure your safety.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is devastating. Our Winston-Salem wrongful death lawyers help families seek justice and financial support after a tragic loss.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a North Carolina Personal Injury Case?
In North Carolina, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the quantifiable or financial losses caused by your injuries, including:
- Current medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are the intangible ways your life has been affected, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
If you lost a loved one in an accident, our team can help your family pursue additional wrongful death damages that may be available to you, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of income and support
- Lost services
- Loss of companionship
How We Approach the Personal Injury Claims Process in Winston-Salem
When you work with our personal injury lawyers in Winston-Salem, we handle every step of your claim from start to finish, including:
- Discussing your rights and legal options during an initial consultation
- Conducting a full investigation to determine fault
- Gathering crucial evidence that will support your case
- Identifying and valuing your current and future losses
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company
- When necessary, taking your case to trial in court
Throughout this process, we will support you and walk you through what to expect, helping you feel informed and confident in your decisions.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Winston-Salem?
We want to make legal help easy and accessible for those injured in an accident. That’s why there is no upfront cost to hire our personal injury lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay us if we secure compensation for your claim.
If your attorney is successful, their fee is paid as an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict, typically 33% to 40%. There is no fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Winston-Salem
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Claim in North Carolina?
While there are some exceptions, North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injuries generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you only have two years from the date of death to file. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to pursue compensation.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
North Carolina uses a pure contributory negligence system for personal injury cases involving shared fault. Unfortunately, if you are found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from any recovery. A skilled lawyer can protect your right to compensation and push back against unfair insurance companies that try to shift the blame to you.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury claims in Winston-Salem settle out of court. However, our experienced attorneys prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. If the insurance company does not make a fair offer, we are ready to go the distance.
How Long Will My Case Take?
How long it takes for your personal injury case to resolve will depend on the details of your claim. Cases with clear liability and minimal damages may take a few months to reach a settlement, while more complex cases that involve long-term injuries can take longer. Working with a skilled lawyer can keep your case moving forward as you focus on your recovery.
Speak With a Winston-Salem Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in Winston-Salem, you deserve a legal team with the experience and resources to fight for you. Call (336) 516-9042 or contact us online to schedule your free case review. We’re available around the clock to help after an accident, and are ready to get started on your case right away.