Durham Personal
Injury Lawyer

At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This structure means that you don’t pay any upfront costs. Instead, we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict that we secure for you. We understand that the cost of legal representation can be a concern. This is particularly true when you are dealing with medical bills and other expenses. This fee structure allows you to access quality legal representation without worrying about paying attorney fees upfront. Our law firm is committed to getting you the compensation you deserve while making the legal process as affordable as possible.

North Carolina follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation for your injuries.
This is a strict standard. It differs from the more common comparative negligence laws followed in many other states. For example, if you are injured in a slip and fall or another incident and the court determines that you were partially responsible for the situation, then under North Carolina law, you would be completely barred from recovering any damages. It wouldn’t matter how severe your injuries are or how much the other party was at fault. Because of this rule, insurance companies and defendants may try to shift blame to you to avoid liability. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we know how to fight against wrongful accusations of fault. We will work tirelessly to defend you from claims that you were responsible for your injuries. Our goal is to ensure that you are treated fairly and that your right to compensation is protected.

he value of your personal injury case depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact they have on your life, and the extent of your damages incurred.
We will assess all aspects of your case to determine a fair value. Even if you have health insurance, it’s essential to understand what your claim may be worth. This includes calculating medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related damages. While it’s difficult to give an exact number without reviewing your specific case, we will provide an estimate based on the available evidence and the legal precedents relevant to your situation. We aim to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation for your losses.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the tangible, measurable financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation and therapy costs, or property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for less tangible losses, such as, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement or scarring. In some cases, punitive damages may also apply. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly reckless or egregious behavior. They also serve as a deterrent to future bad conduct by other people. 
We will work to ensure you receive fair compensation for all aspects of your injury

In North Carolina, there are strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. For most cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date the accident occurred. However, there are some exceptions. For example, a wrongful death claim has a two-year deadline. If you don’t file within the applicable time frame, you could lose your legal rights to recover compensation for your injuries entirely. It’s essential to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Delaying your case could result in missed opportunities to recover damages. 
Our team is committed to acting quickly and thoroughly on your behalf. We will make sure you meet all filing deadlines and avoid any complications that could arise from missing the statute of limitations.

In personal injury law, negligence refers to a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar situation. To establish negligence, your attorney must prove four key elements: duty of care, meaning the defendant owed you a legal obligation, such as a property owner’s responsibility to maintain safe premises for visitors; breach of duty, which occurs when the defendant fails to meet that obligation, for example by ignoring a known hazard like a broken handrail or unsafe flooring; causation, showing that this failure directly caused your injuries; and damages, meaning you suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other losses. We can build a strong case demonstrating that the defendant was at fault and that you are entitled to compensation for the injuries you sustained.

Most personal injury claims are resolved through settlements without ever going to court. However, some cases do require a trial to reach a resolution. It will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the willingness of both parties to negotiate, and the severity of the injuries involved. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations or mediation, your attorney may advise you to proceed with litigation. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we are fully prepared to take your case to court if needed. Our team has extensive trial experience, and we understand how to present your case in the best possible light to a judge or jury. In some cases, the mere threat of a trial may push the other party to offer a better settlement. Insurance companies often prefer to settle out of court to avoid uncertainty and expenses. However, if you do go to trial, we will be with you every step of the way.

The length of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case can vary widely depending on the circumstances involved. Some relatively straightforward claims may be resolved in a matter of months, while more complex cases can take a year or longer. Several factors can affect the timeline, including the complexity of the accident and the severity of the injuries, particularly in cases involving disputed liability or life-changing harm. The pace of insurance negotiations also plays a significant role, as insurance companies may delay or resist offering a fair settlement. In some cases, expert testimony is required, which can extend the process due to the need for evaluations, reports, and depositions. If a case proceeds to trial, additional time is needed to prepare evidence, witnesses, and legal filings. Ultimately, the timeline depends on how quickly evidence can be gathered, how the insurance company responds, and whether the case is resolved through settlement or litigation. We keep clients informed at every stage and work diligently to achieve a fair resolution as efficiently as possible.