Durham Personal Injury Lawyer
Durham Personal Injury Lawyers – Experienced and Trusted
Have you been injured in an accident in the Durham area? Was someone else at fault? A personal injury lawyer at Riddle & Brantley may be able to help. Call (919) 728-1770 for a free, no-obligation consultation today. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.
Riddle & Brantley Durham
100 E. Parrish St.
Suite 200
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 728-1770
By Appointment Only.
Hours of Operation*
Monday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
*NOTE: Our intake staff is available to answer phone calls and emails during these times, but please note that in-person meetings are only available at our Durham office by appointment.
Since 1985, our attorneys have fought aggressively for victims’ rights to justice and compensation. We’re dedicated to pursuing justice in the Bull City and we’d love to help you and your loved ones however we can. Don’t wait — the longer you wait to call an attorney at Riddle & Brantley, the harder it may be to prove your case and secure the compensation you need and deserve.
“They handled my case very professionally, with respect from beginning to end.”
–Joseph P., Riddle & Brantley client
“What Compensation is Available in My Injury Case?”
If you’ve been injured and someone else is responsible, you may be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. There are never any guarantees in any injury case, but our lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation. “Damages” (compensation) available in an injury case may include:
- Medical Expenses — Most successful personal injury claims will compensate you for the medical expenses related to your accident. These may include hospital stays, ambulance transport, surgeries, x-rays, MRIs and other diagnostic testing, medications, doctors’ visits, prescription, medical equipment, and in-home care.
- Lost Wages — If you’ve been forced to take time off work to recover from your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation intended to make up for your temporary lost income.
- Loss of Future Earnings Potential — In some cases, injuries may require you to retire early, or you may be forced to take a different, lower-paying job. In these cases, a lawyer can help you calculate potential lost future income, which may be awarded in a claim or lawsuit.
- Pain and Suffering — “Non-economic” damages like emotional trauma, or loss of quality of life due to permanent scarring or disfigurement, for example, may qualify you for compensation for pain and suffering. You might also receive compensation for pain and suffering if you can prove loss of consortium, which means sexual relations or companionship with your spouse or partner.
- Punitive Damages — In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded by a jury to “punish” the defendant for “willful or wanton” conduct and “gross negligence.” Some of the more common instances in which punitive damages are awarded include drunk driving cases and cases involving illegal road racing. It can be difficult to prove that a defendant’s actions represented gross negligence, and an experienced injury lawyer can help evaluate your claim and recommend the best legal approach for seeking compensation.
“How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim in Durham?”
All personal injury claims in Durham are subject to the North Carolina Statute of Limitations, which is essentially a time limit that governs every claim or lawsuit in the state. There are some exceptions to these basic rules, but most personal injury claims in North Carolina must be filed within:
- 3 years from the date of injury in personal injury cases
- 2 years from the date of death in wrongful death cases
Injury Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
If you live in or around Durham, NC and have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, a lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages and if so you deserve justice.
Riddle and Brantley is known as the law firm where Justice Counts. We fight tirelessly to get our clients the justice and compensation they deserve
We’re ready to help, and we’d love to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve if we can.
Cases We Handle
Our lawyers handle all types of cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Sexual assault
- Product liability cases
- Dangerous drug cases
- Defective medical device claims
- Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure claims
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- VA disability claims and appeals
- Workplace accidents (workers’ compensation)
- Social Security disability
- Wrongful death
Our attorneys have more than 225 years of combined legal experience and we’ve helped thousands of North Carolinians get justice for their injuries. We’re proud of the words our clients use to describe their experience, including those of our client Ricky:
“Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?”
It’s a question we’re frequently asked.
And here’s the honest truth: you do not necessarily need a personal injury lawyer. You can file a claim and even a lawsuit without legal representation.
However, we strongly advise against going it alone.
Personal injury cases are complex, and every case is different. The insurance company will do everything in its power to pay as little as possible, and the at-fault party will often deny responsibility in order to avoid paying damages. North Carolina has laws specific to our state such as time periods for filing a claim (Statute of Limitations) and contributory negligence which can be a total bar to recovery. An experienced attorney knows the law and can help present your case in an effort to win compensation for you.
You may even find yourself up against high-powered attorneys who will do everything they can to represent the Defendant and deny you compensation.
In order to obtain the best possible settlement or judgment, you’ll probably want a lawyer on your side.
What does a personal injury attorney actually do?
Personal injury cases can be complicated, and the legal process can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Your attorney will handle every aspect of your case, including but not limited to:
- Investigating the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence
- Helping you find appropriate medical care and helping manage medical bills
- Preparing you for recorded statements to the insurance company
- Communicating with the police department and insurance investigators
- Calculating damages eligible for compensation
- Negotiating with the insurer
- Filing court documents
- Conducting and preparing you for depositions
- Communicating with involved government agencies
- Participating in mediation or arbitration
- Representing you at trial
- Negotiating a settlement
- and more…
When you hire Riddle & Brantley, you’ll get an experienced advocate who knows the Durham area and North Carolina legal system. Our goal is to get you justice and the compensation you need and deserve.
Putting your case in the hands of an experienced injury lawyer will reduce stress and let you focus on what’s most important — recovering from your injuries and improving your quality of life.
If you’ve been injured and need an attorney committed to justice in North Carolina, please contact us at (919) 728-1770 or complete the form below.
Remember, there is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we win you financial compensation.
What to look for in an injury lawyer with experience
Deciding which personal injury attorney to hire is an important choice. Here are just a few of the many important questions to consider:
- How long has the attorney been practicing law?
- Does he or she have experience representing injured parties?
- What is the law firm’s record of personal injury settlements and judgments?
- Is the lawyer experienced practicing in the Durham area? Do they know the applicable local and state laws?
At Riddle & Brantley, we’ve handled hundreds of injury cases in Durham and surrounding North Carolina. Our attorneys know how to navigate the NC legal system and have helped recover millions of dollars in compensation for our clients (see disclaimer below).
Here are just a few of our recent case results:
- Truck Accident | $9.45 million — A family of four was killed after a tractor-trailer rear-ended their vehicle on a North Carolina highway. Hired by the family’s loved ones to seek justice, Riddle & Brantley attorneys launched a thorough investigation and ultimately determined that a pavement marking company and two truck drivers were responsible for the accident. Following litigation and ultimate mediation, the insurance companies settled for a combined total of $9,450,000.
- Personal Injury | $1.5 million — Our client was on the job when he was hit by a falling tree limb that had been cut by his employer. He suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. The employer did not have workers’ compensation coverage so we filed a lawsuit, resulting in a $1.5 million judgment against the defendant.
- Auto Accident & Workers’ Comp | $2.75 million — Our client was a construction worker who was hit by a tractor-trailer while on the job. He suffered extensive injuries, including the eventual loss of his right leg below the knee. Attorneys Gene Riddle and Adam Smith took the case and led a comprehensive crash scene investigation, ultimately proving liability on the part of the truck driver and the construction company. We filed two lawsuits and secured $2.75 million in separate settlements prior to trial.
- Auto Accident / Wrongful Death | $2.25 million — When a company truck crossed the center line and hit our client’s vehicle head-on, both drivers were killed instantly. The family turned to Riddle & Brantley for justice. Gene Riddle oversaw all aspects of the investigation, partnering with David Kirby of Edward Kirby law firm in Raleigh. Prior to filing suit, the wrongful death claim was settled through mediation for an award of $2.25 million.
- Personal Injury | $700,000 — Two boys crossing a crosswalk near their school were hit by a car that ran a red light, resulting in several fractures, brain injury, and in one case, some paralysis. After personally ensuring that the Defendant was held responsible through criminal prosecution, attorney Gene Riddle took legal action against the school district, alleging that the crosswalk guard negligently failed to direct students in the crosswalk. The school district ultimately settled in mediation, awarding $125,000 to one victim and $575,000 to the other.
- Auto Accident | $250,000 — Our client, a vehicle passenger, suffered extensive and serious injuries after being t-boned by another vehicle in an intersection. The driver of the vehicle in which our client was a passenger was determined at-fault, and attorney Gene Riddle negotiated a $250,000 settlement.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
For more on settlements and judgments obtained by Riddle & Brantley lawyers, please view our other case results.
“We’ll never stop fighting for accident victims in Durham. Justice Counts is our motto, and we strive to win every case.” -Gene Riddle
Of course, our settlements and judgments aren’t the only measures of our success. See what some of our clients have to say about working with Riddle & Brantley:
Legal Information
Personal injury cases are filed and tried at the District Court or Superior Court of North Carolina’s court system. Many cases are settled without the need for a trial, but we are prepared to go to court if a settlement cannot be reached. The Durham County Courthouse is located at 510 S Dillard St, Durham, NC. Gene Riddle is an aggressive Durhan car accident attorney.
Workers’ Compensation Information
Our lawyers can also handle workers’ comp claims. We even have two Board-Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation on staff. Workers’ compensation hearings are often necessary to get benefits for an injured worker. Workers’ comp claims are handled by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. That agency resolves disputes related to an injury on the job, an illness acquired through work (occupational disease), or deaths at work.
Deputy Commissioner Hearings are held in various locations in eastern North Carolina, including Greenville, Williamston, Elizabeth City, Tarboro, Wilson, Benson, New Bern, Fayetteville, Burgaw, and Bolivia. The North Carolina Industrial Commission holds Full Commission Hearings in Raleigh at its offices at 430 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Social Security Disability Information
If you are seeking benefits through Social Security Disability, our legal team is ready to get to work for you. Our team is led by Board-Certified Specialist Scott Scurfield, an experienced personal injury lawyer who has also been recognized by the NC State Bar for his experience handling SSD and SSDI claims. We can assist with the initial application or help you file an appeal if your SSD application for benefits has been denied. The Social Security Administration Office is located at 3511 Shannon Road, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27707.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Durham?
Riddle & Brantley attorneys have served personal injury victims in Durham and North Carolina accident victims for decades, and our managing partner, Gene Riddle has practiced personal injury law since 1985. Our 11 attorneys have more than 220+ years of collective legal experience.
Fighting for justice for North Carolinians is all we do.
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another person or company, call our firm for a free legal consultation. We’ll review your case and determine whether or not there is cause for a personal injury claim or lawsuit. There is no obligation, and there are never any attorney fees unless we win your case and recover financial compensation for you.
Contact Us Today
The lawyers at Riddle & Brantley stand ready to protect your rights. We genuinely care about each person we represent and are committed to providing the highest level of client services to you. Call us today at (919) 728-1770 so we can talk to you about your case. We are here to help you seek justice. Call now.
Free consultations are available in our Durham office by appointment only. However, we can come directly to you if it’s more convenient, and as always, consultations are available by phone, email, text, or video conference. There is no in-person meeting required to get started on your case.
Justice Counts.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.