Were you or a family member injured in a car accident in Durham, NC? You may be entitled to a substantial compensation award for things like medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. To maximize your compensation award, it’s important to have an experienced Durham car accident lawyer on your team.
Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has over 190 years of experience in personal injury law. We know how to help you navigate the legal system to recover the maximum compensation you deserve after a crash. In fact, our award-winning attorneys have already recovered over $850 million in settlements and verdicts.
Insurance companies work hard to minimize the payouts accident victims receive. If you were injured in an accident, contact our law offices in Durham, North Carolina, or call 800-525-7111 to schedule a free consultation today. We have the skills to help you make the most of your financial award.
Injured in Durham? Contact Us Today!
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Durham
Car accidents can quickly turn the victim’s life upside down. You may be dealing with a sudden loss of income and fear for the future–all on top of painful injuries. If someone else caused the accident, the least they should do is cover the costs.
You may not know the best way to make that happen. Ultimately, you’ll likely be dealing with the insurance company. They know every trick in the book to get away with paying as little as possible.
Our trusted Durham personal injury attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers know how to get top results in car accident cases.
We’ll use our experience to get the money you deserve, specifically by:
- Conducting our own independent investigation into the crash
- Locating evidence to establish causation and prove liability
- Identifying all available insurance
- Documenting your damages and assessing your case value
- Fiercely defending you when the insurance company blames you
- Negotiating with the other party’s insurance company for a full settlement
- Fighting for you in the courtroom if necessary
To learn more about an attorney-client relationship, call our Durham personal injury lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
While it may be possible to navigate a car accident claim on your own, it’s often not in your best interest. That’s even more true if your injuries were serious. When you hire an experienced lawyer, you’ll have a trusted advocate in your corner every step of the way.
Here are just a few reasons why you may wish to hire an accident attorney to handle your case:
You’ll Level the Playing Field
The insurance companies know the claims process inside and out. They know how much you deserve–and they also know how to convince you to accept less money than you deserve.
Hiring a respected attorney tells the insurance company you mean business and aren’t willing to take a lowball settlement deal. Your attorney will also have the resources to stand up to the powerful insurance company and their defense team on your behalf.
You’ll Gain Access to Respected Experts
An established law firm will have developed a network of experts who can testify on behalf of clients. From leading medical experts to specialists in accident reconstruction, these witnesses can be key to recovering the full compensation you deserve. Remember, the insurance companies have experts who can skew the story in their favor. You deserve a team of your own to help build the strongest case possible.
Stopping Blame-the-Victim Scare Tactics
Insurance companies in North Carolina look for ways to blame the victim. They’re off the hook for your damages if the defendant can prove you were even slightly responsible for the accident. A skilled attorney will anticipate these insurance games. They’ll be ready with the strongest defense possible when you’re unfairly blamed for causing the car wreck.
Your Recovery May Be Difficult
Serious injuries take a toll on the victim. You’re probably in pain and under enough stress as it is. Hiring an attorney eases the burden because they can handle the insurance and legal issues on your behalf. You can also rest assured that you have a respected advocate doing everything possible to get the money you deserve.
How Much Money Can I Get from a Car Accident Case?
No two car accident claims are precisely the same. Speaking with an experienced attorney is the best way to get a sense of your case value.
To determine how much a personal injury case is worth, our lawyers weigh many different factors, including:
- The nature and severity of the injuries
- Financial losses, including the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and assistance
- The permanence of the injuries
- How the injuries impact your earnings and future earning capacity
- Anticipated future financial expenses
- The impact on your well-being and quality of life
- The legitimacy of any claims that you share fault
- The strength of the evidence
- Available insurance coverage
Establishing the value of a personal injury claim can be a complex endeavor. Expert testimony is often critical to establishing the value of your expected future costs and your personal losses. Don’t be fooled if the insurance company is pushing you to accept a settlement offer they call “standard” based on your injuries. Every case is different–and you deserve an experienced attorney who will carefully evaluate your unique situation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Durham?
You only have a limited amount of time to seek compensation after an accident. The statute of limitations in most North Carolina personal injury cases is three years.
In fatal accident cases, you have two years from the date of the victim’s death to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.
If you don’t file your personal injury lawsuit within the allotted time period, you lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
While some exceptions exist, they can work for or against you. It’s best to discuss the deadline with a lawyer as quickly as you can after an accident so that you don’t run the risk of losing your right to sue for damages.
What Types of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident?
In North Carolina, damages are broadly classified based on whether they compensate a victim for economic losses or non-economic losses. Punitive damages, while rare, may be available in cases involving particularly shocking misconduct.
Economic Damages in North Carolina
Nearly all car accidents result in some type of financial loss. These financial losses are called economic damages. As the victim, you can seek compensation for any financial expenses you’ve incurred because of the defendant’s actions.
Examples include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Home and vehicle modifications
- In-home assistance
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs
Keeping track of your expenses is important. Insurance companies will want to see a clear record of the money you have spent due to the accident. In cases involving permanent or long-term disability, expert testimony may be needed to prove the value of your ongoing and future costs.
Non-Economic Damages in North Carolina
Non-economic damages are more subjective. Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for your more personal and intangible losses and suffering.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Most insurance companies use calculators or “multipliers” to determine the value of a non-economic damages award. These damages are often directly tied to the value of your economic damages.
That said, having an attorney by your side to present evidence about your personal losses can be incredibly valuable when it comes to maximizing the value of these tough-to-prove losses.
What Are Punitive Damages and When Are They Available in North Carolina?
Courts can award punitive damages to punish defendants for extremely reckless and wrongful behavior. Punitive damages are awarded to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.
Under North Carolina law, punitive damages are subject to a cap. When available, punitive damages cannot exceed the greater of (1) three times the amount of compensatory damages you receive or (2) $250,000. The law specifically states that the cap does not apply in drunk driving cases.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You can retain a personal injury law firm by agreeing to pay a percentage of your final settlement or verdict. This “contingency fee” replaces the upfront retainer fees that many lawyers in different fields charge.
This system allows you to pursue legal action without immediate expenses. It also ensures that your interests are aligned with your attorney’s interests. After all, your attorney will only get paid if they succeed in recovering compensation in your case.
Can I Get Money if I Was Partly At Fault for My Car Accident?
When it comes to shared fault, North Carolina has adopted the harshest law possible. Under the strict contributory negligence law, you cannot recover compensation if you were found to be even slightly to blame for your own injuries.
The insurance company won’t hesitate to use this harsh rule to its advantage. If there is any evidence that you shared blame, they’ll exploit that evidence. These allegations aren’t always fair or legitimate. The bottom line is that if someone is blaming you for the crash, it’s always a smart idea to have experienced legal representation.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
It’s much more likely that your case will be resolved through insurance negotiations. Trials are expensive and take more time. They’re also incredibly uncertain, meaning that insurance is usually the better option.
That said, a trial could always be necessary. If complicated disputes over liability or your case value exist, we may file a lawsuit to resolve the issue in court. The strength of the evidence will often be a key factor in whether your case goes to trial.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is one of Durham’s leading personal injury law firms. Our attorneys have nearly two centuries of combined experience. You can trust that we have the knowledge to successfully handle even the most complex personal injury claim.
Some examples of the types of cases our Durham car accident attorneys handle include:
Rear-End Crashes
You shouldn’t have to handle the financial burden if another driver rear-ended you. Whether they were tailgating, speeding, or simply distracted, our lawyers in Durham can help you prove that you deserve to be compensated. Contact us today to schedule a free case review and learn about your legal options.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes happen in the blink of an eye. Regardless of the underlying cause, to see another vehicle barrelling toward you is nothing short of terrifying. These crashes also tend to produce particularly serious injuries. If you were injured, we’re here to offer legal advice and guidance at every stage of the recovery process.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents are among the most complicated to resolve, especially due to North Carolina’s harsh shared fault rule. You could very easily be blamed if you were involved in a crash involving multiple vehicles. Our attorneys in Durham are prepared to help you resolve any complexities that you encounter during the insurance claims process and beyond. Contact us today to get started.
Intersection Accidents
Accidents often happen when drivers attempt to race through an intersection to “beat” a yellow light. Intersections in Durham can be complicated, with multiple lanes of traffic, pedestrians, and drivers all rushing to reach their destinations. You can count on our lawyers to locate video footage from traffic lights, witnesses, and other types of evidence to prove that the driver who struck your vehicle was liable.
Highway Accidents
It’s incredibly traumatic when another driver crashes into you on the highway. High speeds can amplify the injuries that are involved. Let our experienced car accident lawyers take the lead if you were injured in a crash on the highway. We’re ready to start our investigation immediately, so call today for a free case evaluation.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Far too many car accidents are caused by distracted drivers every year. If you were involved in an accident and driver distraction was a contributing factor, you can count on our lawyers to locate the evidence needed to prove it.
Other types of car accident claims our firm handles include:
- Rollovers
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured/underinsured motorists
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
Don’t hesitate to reach out for legal advice if you were injured in a car accident in North Carolina. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner they can get to work proving your case.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?
Just about anyone who contributes to an accident can be liable for the damage the crash causes.
Examples of potentially responsible parties include:
- The at-fault driver who caused the crash
- A truck driver or a trucking company
- Government agencies, if the accident happened because of failure to maintain roads in a reasonably safe condition
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles or safety equipment
- The at-fault driver’s employer, if they were performing work duties when the accident occurred
- Negligent passengers
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
When it comes to car insurance, North Carolina is an at-fault state. That means you must identify the person responsible for causing the crash and prove liability to recover damages.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Our attorneys represent clients in all types of car accident injury cases, including those where the victim has suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Regardless of the nature of your injuries, we can’t emphasize enough how important it is to seek medical attention. Prompt medical care is the best way to ensure you make a full physical recovery. It will also be key to recovering compensation from those responsible for your injuries. Without a medical record, it will be incredibly difficult to link the injuries to the crash.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
While car accidents can occur for any number of reasons, the most common causes of car wrecks include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding and ignoring traffic regulations
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous or illegal turns
- Passing too closely
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy
- Road hazards
In other words, car accidents occur when someone was careless, reckless or committed some type of wrongful act. Most car accident claims are based on negligent driving.
To recover compensation based on negligence theories, you’ll have to establish a few things, namely:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care. All drivers have a basic duty to obey traffic laws and use a reasonable amount of caution when they get behind the wheel
- The defendant breached that duty by failing to use due caution
- That breach, or mistake, directly caused your accident
- You suffered damages
It’s important to start collecting evidence quickly after a car crash. After an accident, our lawyers will review medical records, accident reports, and any other evidence that can be used to establish liability.
Durham Car Accident Statistics
According to an annual report published by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, 284,157 motor vehicle accidents were reported across the state in 2023.
At least 115,009 people were injured in those auto accidents. Unfortunately, 1,686 traffic accidents resulted in a fatality during 2023.
In Durham County alone, 3,735 people were injured and 43 people were killed in traffic accidents. Within the city of Durham, 2,300 people were injured and another 30 people died in motor vehicle accidents during 2023.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Taking a few basic actions can make life much easier if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.
While it may be impossible to accomplish some of these things if you were seriously hurt, if you’re able, you should:
- Call 911 and report the accident. A police report will be critical evidence in your case. The 911 operator can also send an ambulance if you need immediate emergency medical attention.
- Gather evidence. You can use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and the general conditions in the area.
- Exchange information. Exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver. Also, obtain the contact information for any witnesses who stopped to help.
- Avoid apologizing. You may not fully understand why the accident occurred. It may seem normal to apologize for any damage, but it can really hurt your case at a later date.
- Don’t record statements for the insurance company without a lawyer. Insurance adjusters may manipulate details and get you to say something that could hurt your case.
Call an attorney. Nearly all attorneys offer free case reviews so that you can learn about your legal rights.
Call Our Durham Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
You shouldn’t have to spend your recovery time fighting with an insurance company. An experienced Durham car accident attorney can handle the details while you rest and recover. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we have the tools necessary to get the results you deserve. Give us a call today to learn more about the legal process.