Kinston Car Accident Attorney

Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident in Kinston, North Carolina? Did the car wreck occur because someone else was negligent? You may be entitled to compensation from those responsible for your losses. An experienced Kinston car accident lawyer can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your personal pain, trauma, and suffering.

Our attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers have over 190 years of experience handling personal injury cases. Our experienced team genuinely cares about helping accident victims recover the money they need to move forward with their lives. Since we opened our law firm, we’ve successfully recovered over $850 million in settlements and verdicts.
Our team is prepared to help you demand a top-dollar compensation award. Just call our law offices in Kinston, North Carolina, at PHONE NUMBER to schedule a free consultation today.

Why Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Legal Help After a Car Accident in Kinston, NC

A car wreck can cause a shocking amount of damage. In the aftermath, you’ll likely be dealing with insurance. Insurance companies aren’t watching out for your best interest, and they’ll do whatever it takes to shortchange you. 

Your choice of legal representation can set the stage for a life-changing financial recovery. 

Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is one of the most established and experienced law firms in the area. We’ve been recognized for our skills with an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Our lawyers have also been listed by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. We offer both personalized legal guidance and the resources to take on the biggest insurance companies in North Carolina.

When you hire our experienced Kinston personal injury attorneys, you benefit from a legal team that will:

• Conduct a thorough and independent inquiry into the circumstances of the crash
• Compile all available evidence to prove you deserve compensation
• Work with leading experts in medicine, vocational rehabilitation, accident reconstruction, and other relevant fields as needed
• Locate all parties who bear financial responsibility for the crash
• Handle the insurance paperwork, requests, and communications 
• Provide a vigorous defense if you’re blamed for the accident
• Negotiate with the insurance companies for the full compensation you deserve
• Take your case to trial if necessary

Our Kinston car accident lawyers appreciate that it’s important to recover compensation as quickly as possible. We’re skilled negotiators who have successfully handled cases like yours before. We know how to convince the insurance company to do the right thing and take your case seriously. 

To learn more, contact us today for a free case review.

Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

The last thing the insurance company wants is for you to hire an attorney. Car accident victims who hire attorneys are much more likely to walk away with higher compensation awards.

Here are some of the reasons why:

• From the start, insurance companies have an advantage. Hiring an attorney forces the insurance adjusters to handle your claim honestly and give you the attention you deserve
• When you know how much compensation you deserve, you have considerably more power during the negotiation process. Your attorney will be ready with a dollar amount and will reject any lowball settlement offers
• Winning a fair settlement can take considerable resources. Experienced lawyers have those resources. They can bring in experts whose testimony can be a game-changer when it comes to resolving complex and contested legal issues
• Insurance companies love to blame victims for their own injuries. When this tactic is left unchecked, you could lose your right to compensation entirely. Your attorney will be prepared to protect against unfair accusations 

The insurance company has an entire playbook that they’ll use to reduce your settlement. They created the claims process and know exactly how it works. Dealing with insurance is hard enough when you’re healthy. Give yourself time to rest and recover by hiring an experienced attorney to deal with the insurance and legal issues.

How Much Money Can I Get from a Car Accident Case?

The value of a personal injury case depends heavily on the extent of the victim’s injuries. Insurance also typically plays a significant role in how much money a victim recovers.

As your lawyer is building your insurance claim at the outset, they’ll examine some key factors, including:

• The severity and nature of your injuries
• How much you’ve spent on medical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing care, etc.
• Whether you’ll suffer any long-term disability
• How the injury has impacted your ability to earn a living
• The value of your lost wages to date
• How the injury has impacted your quality of life
• Your expected need for any future medical care or treatments
• Whether you took reasonable steps to mitigate the damages
• The strength of the evidence, including any evidence that shows you were partly responsible

The more you know about how much you deserve, the better. Insurance companies see cases like yours on a daily basis. They know how much they should be required to pay. They also know every trick that can be used to reduce the value of a car accident injury claim.

You only have one shot at winning a fair compensation award. When in doubt, it’s best to arm yourself with an experienced car accident lawyer who knows how to maximize your financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Kinston?

In most car accident cases, the statute of limitations in North Carolina gives victims three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The three-year clock starts running on the date the accident occurred. Once the three-year window closes, you’ll be barred from seeking compensation for your injuries.

In fatal car accident cases, the surviving family members have two years from the date of the victim’s death to file a lawsuit based on wrongful death.

Exceptions to these deadlines are fairly rare. Typically, once the deadline passes, the at-fault party will no longer be legally responsible for your damages.

What Types of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident?

Damages in North Carolina personal injury cases take two primary forms: economic damages and non-economic damages. When a defendant’s acts are egregious, intentional, or grossly negligent, courts have the authority to award punitive damages.

Economic Damages in North Carolina

Economic damages are paid to make a victim financially whole again after an accident. 

Examples include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Nursing care
• Lost wages and employment benefits
• Lost future earning capacity
• Modifications to your home or vehicle
• In-home assistance with basic activities of daily living
• Property damage and vehicle repairs

Your economic damages award should account for all of your verified expenses to date. It should also cover projected future costs associated with the accident and injury.

Non-Economic Damages in North Carolina

Non-economic damages are intended to help victims cope with personal suffering and trauma that doesn’t have an established financial value.

Examples may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement 
• Scarring 
• Emotional distress
• Anxiety
• Depression 
• PTSD
• Diminished quality of life
• Chronic pain
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Because these damages are so subjective, it’s often critical to bring in experts to provide evidence about how your life has changed due to the injury.

When Are Punitive Damages Available in North Carolina?

While economic and non-economic damages are common in personal injury cases, punitive damages are much rarer. They’re reserved for cases involving serious misconduct. That’s because they’re meant to punish a defendant, rather than compensate a victim for identifiable losses.
Compensatory damages are dependent on the victim’s losses. Under North Carolina law, however, punitive damages are subject to a cap. When awarded, punitive damages are capped at the greater of (1) three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded or (2) $250,000. In cases involving drunk driving, the cap does not apply.

Can I Get Money If I Was Partly At-Fault for My North Carolina Car Accident?

No. North Carolina has a strict contributory negligence law. Victims are barred from recovering any compensation at all if they are partly responsible for an accident.

This is different from most states, where victims can recover partial compensation if they share some blame for a car crash. 

That means insurance companies in North Carolina have a particularly strong motivation to blame the victim. If they can show you were even slightly responsible for the crash, they won’t have to cover your damages. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is the best way to protect yourself against allegations that you were responsible.

Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?

Only a very small fraction of car accident cases end up in court. That said, it’s always smart to prepare for the possibility of a trial. The insurance company doesn’t want a trial. They’d rather negotiate a settlement to avoid the uncertainty, time, and expense of a trial.

Several different factors can impact the possibility that your case will end up at trial:

• Has liability been contested?
• Are you being blamed for the accident in any way?
• Do multiple parties share legal responsibility for your damages?
• Has the insurance adjuster refused to negotiate in good faith?
• Do significant disputes over your case value exist?

Hiring an experienced trial lawyer can actually help you avoid going to trial. Hiring an experienced lawyer shows the insurance company that you’re serious about getting a fair settlement. It also reminds the insurance company that they could end up in court and be subject to the decision of a jury.

Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle

Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has specialized experience handling all types of car accident injury cases. After all, we have nearly two centuries of legal experience between us.

We often take on auto accident cases involving:

Rear-End Crashes

Rear-end collisions are one of the most commonly reported types of accidents. They often take place at busy intersections or in stop-and-go traffic. They’re much more likely to occur when drivers are tailgating or distracted. If you were injured in an accident, call our accident lawyers in Kinston to learn more about your legal rights today.

Head-On Collisions

Driving on the wrong side of the road is incredibly dangerous, whether a driver has inadvertently veered into opposing traffic or is attempting to pass the vehicle in front of them. Front-end crashes tend to be partially devastating. Because the vehicles are travelling toward one another, the force of the impact doubles.

If you or a loved one was injured in a head-on car crash, call our Kinston car accident attorneys for legal advice today. We can start collecting the evidence you need to prove your case right away.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents involving multiple vehicles are particularly tough to prove. Our Kinston car accident lawyers have the skills to help you navigate even the most complex legal battle. We can help you take legal action and hold all responsible parties accountable. 

Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents often occur when a driver runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or is racing to beat a yellow light. T-bone accidents can be particularly severe for the victim who takes the bulk of the side impact. If you were involved in an accident at an intersection, our lawyers know how to help. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.

Highway Accidents

Accidents on the highway often involve higher speeds. High speeds tend to increase the severity of the victim’s injuries, even with advanced safety equipment. Our car accident attorneys in Kinston know how to find the evidence you need to strengthen your case. Give us a call to get started today.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a serious problem that often leads to accidents. Proving the other driver was distracted can be difficult. Call us today to learn how we can put our expertise to work in your distracted driving accident case.

Our law firm also handles car accident claims involving:

• Truck accidents
• Rollovers
• Sideswipe accidents
• T-bone accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Accidents involving uninsured/underinsured motorists
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents 

It’s never too early to discuss your case with a lawyer who can help. Even if you’re still working through your recovery, our lawyers can begin investigating the circumstances of your crash today.

Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?

North Carolina follows an at-fault car accident law. After an accident, you must prove that someone else caused the crash to recover compensation. In other words, identifying those responsible for the crash will be key to the success of your case.

Depending on the underlying cause–or causes–of your car accident, potentially responsible parties might include:

• A negligent driver
• Government agencies and transportation authorities 
• Manufacturers of defective parts for vehicles
• A negligent driver’s employer
• Negligent passengers
• Pedestrians or bicyclists 
• Uber or Lyft drivers

Anyone whose negligence contributed to the cause of an accident can be held liable for your damages.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can lead to all types of serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Eye and facial injuries 
• Chest injuries
• Crushing injuries 
• Concussions
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee and leg 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

Never hesitate to seek medical attention after a car crash. Even a relatively low-impact collision can result in injuries that can change your life. Whether you’re dealing with immediate consequences or a long-term disability, a lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Careless and reckless driving are the most common causes of car crashes. Any number of behaviors can be classified as negligent driving.

Some of the most commonly cited causes of car accidents include:

• Speeding, or driving too fast for road conditions
• Ignoring traffic laws
• Texting while driving and other types of distracted driving
• Failure to yield the right-of-way 
• Tailgating 
• Lane departures
• Aggressive driving
• Dangerous or illegal turns
• Passing too closely
• Failure to check blind spots when changing lanes
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Drunk driving
• Driving while under the influence of drugs
• Fatigued drivers
• Improper passing
• Hazardous road conditions
• Inclement weather

Our lawyers can help you collect the evidence you need to prove what caused your accident. Remember, multiple factors can play a role in the same accident. When you’re severely injured, it’s critical to identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages.

Kinston Car Accident Statistics

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s annual report, 284,157 motor vehicle accidents were reported stateside in a recent year. Over 115,000 injuries and 1,686 fatalities were reported as a result of those crashes.

459 of those crashes occurred within the city of Kinston. 336 people were injured and, unfortunately, one victim was killed in Kinston.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

The moments after a car accident can be incredibly chaotic. Even if you’re not seriously injured, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. There are, however, some key steps that you can take after a crash to protect yourself and others.

• Remain at the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in North Carolina. If necessary to avoid the risk of further injuries, you can move the vehicles to a safe place nearby to wait for law enforcement
• Call 911. The police dispatcher can send emergency medical assistance to the accident scene if necessary. The responding police officer will also prepare an accident report that can contain valuable details about the crash. You can also request a copy of the police report
• Exchange information. Exchange insurance paperwork and contact information with the other driver. If any witnesses stopped to help, obtain their contact information as well
• Collect evidence. Assuming you’re able, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Try to document any vehicle damage, skid marks, and obvious injuries
• Avoid taking the blame. Apologies may seem natural, but accepting fault can greatly harm your chances of recovering compensation at a later date. It’s also important to remember that you might not be aware of factors that contributed to your crash
• Avoid recorded statements. If the insurance company asks you to provide a recorded statement, contact a lawyer first. It’s all too easy to make seemingly innocent statements that can be used to pin the blame on you at a later date

Seek medical attention as quickly as you can. Injuries that aren’t critical can become worse in the hours and even days after a crash. The longer you wait to seek medical care, the more difficult it becomes to link your injuries to the crash.

Contact a car accident lawyer soon after the crash. Car crashes are never convenient. Our lawyers are always available to provide the legal support and guidance you need. The sooner we get involved, the strongest your case is likely to be.

Call Our Kinston Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

When it comes to navigating car accident claims, experience matters. Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has secured millions of dollars on behalf of personal injury victims and their families. We have a detailed understanding of the personal injury laws that will govern your case, and we know how to deal with insurance.

If you’re struggling in the wake of a car wreck, an experienced Kinston car accident attorney can be your most valuable asset. Your case evaluation is always completely free of charge, so don’t hesitate to call for legal advice today.