If you have been injured in Durham, North Carolina, due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation. Personal Injury law allows victims to pursue justice for a wide range of accidents and injuries. The civil legal system allows you to recover for your physical, emotional, and financial harms. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law. We work tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
We know that dealing with insurance companies, navigating legal complexities, and managing the burden of recovery can be daunting. Our experienced Durham personal injury lawyers will take the lead in handling the legal aspects of your case. This will allow you to focus on what matters most – your health and well-being. We are here to fight for justice on your behalf and ensure that your voice is heard.
Call 800-525-7111 or contact our law office to schedule a free consultation today.
Riddle & Riddle Durham Personal Injury Lawyers
Why Should I Hire Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to Handle My Durham Personal Injury Case?
Hiring the right lawyer is essential. It can make all the difference in receiving the compensation you deserve. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we bring over 190 years of experience and a proven track record of success in handling personal injury cases in Durham, NC.
Our team is committed to providing personalized legal representation to each of our clients. We guide injury victims through every step of the legal process. Our mission is to protect your rights and ensure you receive a fair settlement, whether through negotiation or in the courtroom.
When you hire our Durham personal injury lawyers, you can expect us to do the following:
- Conduct an investigation
- Gather evidence
- Negotiate for a full settlement
- Represent you at trial if necessary
Our firm doesn’t just provide legal representation; we provide advocacy. We will stand by you from the very beginning and provide clear guidance to ensure your case is handled with the utmost care. Our attorneys know the ins and outs of North Carolina law, and we are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies. By hiring us, you’ll have a dedicated team working for you, ensuring that your rights are defended and your needs are met.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Durham personal injury attorney.
-Joseph P., Riddle & Riddle client
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
The answer to this question depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident. Generally, to have a valid personal injury claim, you need to prove that someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your injuries. In North Carolina, the law allows individuals who have been harmed to seek compensation from the responsible party. For example, if you were in a car accident caused by another driver’s failure to yield, you may have a valid claim.
It’s important to remember that each case is unique. Sometimes, providing liability can be more complicated. For this reason, it’s best to consult with a Durham personal injury lawyer to evaluate your situation. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations to help you understand if you have a case. We will review the facts, determine if negligence was involved, and provide a clear path forward.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After an accident, it can be difficult to know where to start. You may face significant medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of trying to recover from your injuries. Hiring a personal injury lawyer ensures that you have an advocate working on your behalf.
A lawyer with experience in personal injury law can help in numerous ways:
- Legal skills. Personal injury law is complex, and insurance companies often try to settle claims for as little as possible. A personal injury lawyer understands the intricacies of the law and how best to navigate insurance claims. This gives you the best chance of receiving fair compensation.
- Preparing your case. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into your case, collecting evidence, speaking with witnesses, and reviewing medical records to establish liability and damages.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance companies are known for trying to minimize payouts. A personal injury lawyer will handle negotiations and ensure that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
- Litigation support. If negotiations fail and your case goes to court, your lawyer will be ready to represent you. With experience in the courtroom, they’ll present a strong case to the judge and jury.
Hiring a lawyer means you can focus on healing while the legal work is handled for you. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers provides professional, compassionate legal representation. We make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to receive.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Durham
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we understand that personal injury cases come in many forms. That’s why we handle a wide range of cases, including:
Car Accidents
Collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists can result in injury or death. An experienced Durham car accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for your injuries and losses.
Slip and Fall Accidents
When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, it can lead to injuries. When this happens, our Durham personal injury attorneys can identify the cause of your slip and fall and pursue all available compensation on your behalf.
Medical Malpractice
Cases involving medical professionals who fail to provide a reasonable standard of care can be extremely complicated to navigate. However, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our Durham medical malpractice lawyers can help you every step of the way.
Workplace Accidents
Injuries sustained while on the job due to unsafe working conditions can be devastating. If you need help with a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a personal injury claim, our Durham workplace accident attorneys can help.
Wrongful Death
When a loved one’s death is caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions, your family deserves just compensation. Our Durham wrongful death lawyers can discuss your legal options and help your family through this unimaginable time.
No matter the type of injury, we are here to help. Our experienced attorneys will work closely with you to gather necessary information, establish liability, and pursue compensation to the fullest.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
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.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, 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. We are committed to getting you the compensation you deserve while making the legal process as affordable as possible.
What Damages Are Available to Durham Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to several types of damages. These damages are designed to compensate you for both your financial and emotional suffering. They are typically categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the tangible, measurable financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident, including:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs.
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for less tangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- 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.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we will work to ensure you receive fair compensation for all aspects of your injury, whether financial or emotional.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends on various factors. These factors include the severity of your injuries, the impact they have on your life, and the extent of your damages incurred. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we assess all aspects of your case to determine a fair value. This includes calculating medical expenses, lost wages, 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.
What if I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident?
In North Carolina, the law follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. This doctrine can significantly impact your ability to recover damages in a personal injury case. 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 involved in a car accident and the court determines that you were partially responsible, 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.
This strict standard can have serious consequences for injury victims, especially when insurance companies and defendants argue that you share some of the blame for the incident. Even a minor fault finding against you can eliminate your chance of compensation. This is why it is critical to have skilled legal representation from a lawyer who understands how to navigate this complex system.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we are well-versed in North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws. 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.
Personal Injury FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, there are strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. For most personal injury claims, including car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace injuries, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.
This means that from the date the injury occurs, you have three years to file your claim in court. If you do not file within this time frame, you could lose your right to pursue compensation for your injuries entirely.
It’s important to note that the statute of limitations begins on the day of the accident or from when you reasonably discover the injury if it becomes apparent later on. This is why 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.
In some cases, such as those involving claims against government entities, the statute of limitations may be much shorter. Sometimes, you may only have a few months to file your claim. This makes early consultation with a qualified attorney even more crucial to ensure you meet all deadlines.
Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers 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.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims. To prevail in your case, you must prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. In personal injury law, negligence refers to the failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar situation.
To establish negligence, your attorney will need to prove four key elements:
- Duty of care. The defendant (the other party) owed you a duty of care. For example, in a car accident case, drivers owe a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe manner.
- Breach of duty. The defendant breached their duty of care through their actions or failure to act. For instance, if a driver runs a red light and causes a collision, they are in breach of their duty to follow traffic signals.
- Causation. The defendant’s actions directly caused your injuries. This means that the harm you suffered was a foreseeable result of the defendant’s actions. In a slip and fall case, for example, it must be shown that the property owner’s failure to fix a known hazard directly resulted in your fall and injury.
- Damages. You suffered actual harm due to the defendant’s negligence, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or other forms of harm.
Once these elements are established, your lawyer will build a strong case to determine that the defendant was at fault for the accident and that you are entitled to compensation. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has decades of experience gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and working with expert witnesses to prove negligence and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlements without ever going to trial. However, some cases do require a court trial to reach a resolution. Whether your case goes to trial depends 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 a trial. 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 the uncertainties of a trial. However, if you do go to trial, we will be with you every step of the way. We will advocate for your rights, gather and present evidence, and ensure your story is heard.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
The length of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case varies greatly depending on the nature of the case. Some straightforward cases may be resolved in just a few months, while others may take a year or longer to resolve.
Several factors can impact the timeline of your case, including:
- The complexity of the accident and injuries. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple vehicles, or disputed liability may take longer to resolve.
- Insurance negotiations. Insurance companies often drag their feet when it comes to offering a fair settlement. Negotiations can sometimes take months, but with experienced attorneys, the process moves as quickly as possible.
- The need for expert testimony. In some cases, expert witnesses are required to testify. This can delay the process as these experts must usually be deposed, and their reports need to be reviewed.
- Trial preparations. If your case goes to trial, it may take several more months to prepare for the courtroom, including gathering evidence, preparing witnesses, and filing motions.
Ultimately, the time it takes to resolve your case depends on how long it takes to gather necessary evidence, how responsive the insurance company is, and whether or not the case goes to trial. We will always keep you updated on the status of your case and work diligently to reach a fair resolution as quickly as possible.
Contact Our Experienced Durham Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
If you have been injured in Durham, North Carolina, don’t face the legal process alone. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to help you through any challenge involved with your personal injury case. We will work diligently to make sure you receive appropriate compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Durham personal injury lawyer. We will help you evaluate the strength of your claims, the next steps in the process, and a clear strategy for a successful claim. Let us help you move forward with your life after an unfortunate accident.
Hospitals in Durham
- Duke University Hospital - 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710
- North Carolina Specialty Hospital - 3916 Ben Franklin Blvd, Durham, NC 27704
- Select Specialty Hospital - 3643 N Roxboro St 6th Floor, Durham, NC 27704
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.