Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer

Helping Those Injured in Car Accidents throughout Raleigh

Injured in a car accident? Our Raleigh car accident lawyers are ready to help. Since 2000 alone, we’ve recovered more than $850 million for injured victims across North Carolina (see disclaimer below) and we’d love to help you get the justice you deserve.

Our attorneys have more than 190 years of combined legal experience. We know the law in North Carolina and we fight tirelessly to hold at-fault drivers and insurance companies accountable. We invite you to review our client testimonials and see the Riddle & Riddle difference.

"Every time I've needed them, they were there for me."

-Tyronnie T., Riddle & Riddle client

A car accident attorney at Riddle & Riddle can handle all aspects of your personal injury claim or lawsuit (see details below). We even have investigators on staff to assist in evaluating the crash scene, collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and helping prove liability.

We also routinely bring in outside experts like accident reconstructionists to determine who was at fault and strengthen our clients' cases for compensation. If you've been injured in an auto accident and someone else was at fault, talk with a Raleigh car accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle today..

There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win your auto accident case and you receive compensation. We believe Justice Counts and we're ready to help however we can.

Types of Auto Accidents We Handle in Raleigh, NC

Since 1985, our Raleigh car accident lawyers have fought for clients injured in a wide range of car accident cases, including:

• Rear-end accidents
• Head-on accidents
• T-bone accidents
• Hit and run accidents
• Distracted driving accidents (including texting and driving accidents)
• Pedestrian accidents
• Drunk driver accidents
• Lyft and Uber accidents
• Construction zone accidents

In addition to handling car accident claims, we can also assist with truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, boat accidents, school bus accidents, and more. If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Raleigh (or elsewhere in North Carolina), call Riddle & Riddle today at (919) 876-3020 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

In cases involving accidents suffered while on the job, our Raleigh workers' comp attorneys can help with claims for workers' compensation. In tragic cases in which a car accident results in long-term disability, our disability lawyers can help with appeals for benefits, as well.

What Can a Car Accident Attorney in Raleigh Do for Me?

You aren't required to hire an attorney in a personal injury claim, but research shows that doing so can help you recover roughly 3 times more compensation on average than those who represent themselves. At Riddle & Riddle, an experienced Raleigh car accident lawyer can help you manage all aspects of your case, including:

• Investigating your accident
• Collecting, evaluating, and preserving important evidence, including dash cam and/or surveillance video
• Identifying and interviewing potential witnesses
• Hiring expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists and safety experts
• Preparing you for statements to the insurance company
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Obtaining the official accident report from law enforcement
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary
• Conducting depositions
• Drafting and filing important court documents
• Representing you at hearing and at trial
• Representing you in arbitration and/or mediation proceedings
• Setting up trusts to ensure long-term care

Investigation Capabilities

At Riddle & Riddle, we pride ourselves on having an in-house team of experienced investigators to assist our clients and attorneys with their cases. These investigators are experienced retired law enforcement officers who know how to investigate car accidents and help prove fault.

In the immediate aftermath of your accident, we can even send an investigator directly to you to help navigate the start of your injury claim and begin building your case for compensation.

Car Accident Statistics in Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. With more than 1.5 million people living in the Raleigh metro area, it is home to some of North Carolina’s busiest highways and interstates.

I-40, I-440, I-87, and I-540 all crisscross Raleigh and unfortunately, car accidents are common. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were almost 68,000 auto accidents in Raleigh in a recent year. Nearly 13,000 of these car accidents resulted in injury, and 137 of them were fatal.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, an auto accident attorney at Riddle & Riddle can help. Injuries suffered in an auto accident often lead to significant medical bills, missed time at work and even permanent disability. If the accident was the result of another’s negligence, accident victims may be eligible to recover compensation through a legal claim.

Compensation Available in a Raleigh Car Accident Claim

"Damages" are often available in personal injury claims when you've been injured in a car accident due to someone else's negligence. These damages are essentially compensation for the financial and emotional injuries you've suffered.

If you've been hurt in an accident, a car accident attorney may be able to help you recover damages including:

• Medical Expenses — Compensation is typically available to reimburse injured victims for their medical treatment, including but not limited to: ambulance transport, hospital stays, doctor's office visits, surgeries, diagnostic testing, medical equipment, and home care.
• Wage Loss — If you've been forced to take time off work during your recovery, you may be entitled to damages for lost wages.
• Future Income Loss — In the most serious cases, a car accident may result in permanent disability, requiring you to retire early or take a different, lower-paying job. In these cases, an attorney can help you calculate your "lost earning potential" and seek fair compensation.
• Pain and Suffering — Not all damages are physical or financial. Some accidents can also result in serious emotional suffering, and compensation may be available for these injuries. Pain and suffering may include compensation for PTSD or other emotional trauma, "loss of consortium" (lost companionship with a spouse or loved one), permanent scarring or disfigurement and subsequent lost quality of life, etc.
• Punitive Damages — These damages are intended to punish the at-fault party in order to discourage similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are only available in North Carolina when a jury determines that the defendant's actions constitute "gross negligence," which is defined as "willful or wanton" misconduct resulting in injury. An experienced car accident lawyer can help determine if punitive damages may be available and pursue this compensation on your behalf.

"How Do I Prove Fault?"

Keep in mind that in auto accident injury claims, you must prove that the other party was at fault in order to recover compensation for your damages.

In North Carolina there is an additional obstacle, however: due to the law of "contributory negligence," you must also prove that the defendant was 100% responsible for the accident. Using the contributory negligence defense, if a defendant and/or their attorney can prove that you were even 1% responsible for the accident, you can be barred from recovery.

Fortunately, at Riddle & Riddle, our car accident lawyers have extensive experience overcoming contributory negligence defenses. If the at-fault party, insurance company, or defense counsel is claiming that your actions (or inaction) contributed to your car accident, contact us at (919) 876-3020 right away and let's see how we can help.

How Does North Carolina's Contributory Negligence Law Impact Your Car Accident Claim?

To win a serious car accident case in North Carolina, you must prove the other party was at fault. This requires showing, with evidence, that it’s more likely than not that they caused the accident.

This standard of proof, called "preponderance of evidence," is less strict than the "beyond reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases.

The Challenge of Contributory Negligence

North Carolina follows strict contributory negligence laws. This means if the other party can prove you were even slightly at fault for the automobile accident, you may lose your right to compensation.

How Insurance Companies Use Contributory Negligence

Insurance companies often use contributory negligence to deny claims. They argue the injured party had some responsibility for the accident to avoid paying out.

Overcoming Contributory Negligence Defenses

Our law firm has extensive experience handling these cases. For instance, we represented a man injured while driving in the inside lane of a four-lane road.

Another driver merged into the road and hit him. That driver’s insurer argued that our client was partially to blame for using the inside lane. We fought back, filed a lawsuit, and secured the maximum settlement of $100,000.

Building a Strong Car Accident Case

When you hire our lawyers, we thoroughly investigate the accident to counter contributory negligence claims. We evaluate factors such as speed, traffic laws, weather, and other circumstances. Acting quickly after the accident helps preserve evidence and witness testimony, both crucial to your case.

Award-Winning Injury Lawyers

The experienced car accident lawyers at Riddle & Riddle are led by attorney Gene Riddle. In 40 years of practicing North Carolina law, Gene has been recognized with many significant and prestigious memberships and awards (see disclaimer below), including:

• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Super Lawyers
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• The Litigator Award

He also maintains a prestigious AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the organization's highest rating for attorneys (see disclaimer below). Other attorneys at Riddle & Riddle have also received awards and memberships recognizing their accomplishments, including Alex Riddle, named one of The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and Molly Schertzinger, named a Super Lawyers "Rising Star" in 2022.

Darren Dawson is a member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Attorney Adam Smith is a member of Super Lawyers and also maintains an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel. These represent just a handful of awards and recognitions our car accident lawyers have received (see disclaimer below).

“This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.”

-Linda B., Riddle & Riddle client

Our Results for car crash Victims

In 40 years serving the people of Raleigh and greater North Carolina, we’re proud of the record of five, six and even seven-figure verdicts and settlements we’ve obtained for car accident victims and their loved ones (see disclaimer below).

Recent wins include:

• $9,450,000 | Truck Accident & Wrongful Death — Attorneys at Riddle & Riddle fought for justice for the surviving loved ones of a family of four who were killed in a tragic tractor-trailer crash on a busy North Carolina highway not far from Raleigh. We organized a thorough investigation, subpoenaed data from Google Maps, and proved liability in the case. We filed multiple lawsuits and eventually obtained a total settlement of more than $9 million from multiple parties involved in the accident.
• $2,750,000 | Car Accident — Attorney Donald Dunn successfully recovered more than $3 million in compensation for our client, who suffered serious injuries in a major car accident. He suffered injuries to his legs, arm and neck. The arbitration settlement was immediately followed by a separate $1 million judgment against the insurance company.
• $1,000,000 | Car Accident — Managing partner and attorney Gene Riddle and attorney Adam Smith fought for justice for our client, who was seriously injured in a car accident in central North Carolina. Through extensive negotiations, we obtained $1 million in total compensation for the victim, including a Medicare Set Aside fund to provide for future medical treatments.

“Riddle & Riddle found me all the available money from the insurance companies.”

-David H., Riddle & Riddle client

How to Prove Liability in a Car Accident Case

When a driver fails to abide by the rules of the road, engages in reckless behavior, or intentionally breaks the law behind the wheel, anyone injured as a result may file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Personal injury claims must demonstrate negligence in order to receive compensation.

Proving negligence in a personal injury claim for a car accident involves four basic elements:

• Duty — The plaintiff must prove the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff during the given situation. All drivers have a duty of care to follow the traffic laws, heed posted traffic signals, and operate their vehicles safely.
• Breach — The plaintiff must also show the court how the defendant breached this duty of care. For example, running a stop sign or a red light would constitute a breach of duty. Failing to address a known safety issue with a vehicle can also qualify as a breach of duty.
• Damage — The plaintiff must have suffered some injury or measurable economic loss to file a claim. If a defendant was negligent, but the plaintiff did not sustain any injuries or losses, he or she would have no claim.
• Causation — The plaintiff in a personal injury case must also be able to link the defendant’s negligence to the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff may only sue for damages directly resulting from the defendant’s negligence, so the plaintiff will need to prove that the injuries did not happen from some other cause.

Car accident injury claims can be complicated, time-consuming, and stressful. Let one of our car accident lawyers handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on what’s most important — your recovery and improving your quality of life.

For a FREE case review with a car accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle, please call (919) 876-3020.

There is absolutely no obligation and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover financial compensation for you in your car accident injury claim.

Call (919) 876-3020 and let’s review your claim.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Our car accident attorneys have handled all types of cases involving many different kinds of injuries, including:

Broken bones

Bone fractures occur in countless possible ways. While standard fractures may leave a bone in pieces, they do not break the skin.

Compound fractures are severe injuries that break the skin, exposing the victim to infections. Any type of bone fracture can require significant medical care, and recovery can take months or longer. Some bone fractures may necessitate physical therapy or result in a permanent limited range of motion.

Musculoskeletal injuries

Many car accidents involve significant momentum or sudden shifts in momentum that can damage the soft tissues of a driver’s body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

While most of these injuries will recover in time, they can be extremely painful and limit the victim’s range of motion through recovery. Slipped spinal discs, inflammation, muscle stiffness and various other symptoms can persist for weeks or longer.

Traumatic brain injuries

A car accident may cause a driver’s head to hit the window or another object during impact, resulting in a potentially fatal head injury.

A traumatic brain injury can cause various neurological symptoms such as disorientation, confusion, memory problems, sensory confusion, and more. Some traumatic brain injuries will require immediate emergency surgery to save the victim’s life, and some will result in long-term or permanent disabilities.

Contusions, cuts, and scrapes

Even minor injuries can cause intense pain and extensive scarring. Some deep cuts may even interfere with the victim’s ability to work as they heal.

Spinal injuries

Any injury to the spinal cord is permanent, so a driver who sustains such injuries may experience partial or full paralysis. Some of these injuries may result in significant damages to cover the costs of necessary ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and lost income due to the inability to work.

Internal injuries

Some car accident injuries will not be immediately noticeable. Internal organs may rupture or suffer injuries from the forces acting on the body during an accident or from poorly fitted seatbelts.

Emotional injuries

Auto accidents can be traumatic and result in serious emotional distress, including diagnosable mental disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A car accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle can assist with you a claim or lawsuit involving any of these types of injuries and more.

We are experienced fighting for justice for those injured in auto accidents in the Raleigh area and would love to help however we can. Call (919) 876-3020 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.

Seek Medical Attention

Rour top priority after any car accident should be medical attention, even if you think you only sustained minor cuts and scrapes. While you may need to wait for the police to allow you to leave the scene of an accident, seek medical treatment as soon as you are free to leave.

If you delay, you could allow an existing injury to worsen. Some “delayed onset” injuries may not manifest noticeable symptoms immediately, and the adrenaline rush from the accident may dull pain sensations for a while.

If you delay medical care, you put your health at risk and may jeopardize your chances of succeeding with a lawsuit later, should you choose to pursue one.

Delaying treatment may also cause problems when it’s time to deal with insurance claims, as adjusters may use the delay as justification for lowering or denying your claim. In a personal injury lawsuit, the jury hearing your case may assume that if you did not seek immediate medical care, your injuries couldn’t have been as bad as you claim.

Instead of risking your chances of securing legal compensation for your damages or your wellbeing, seek medical care as soon as possible after any car accident.

Experienced Raleigh Car Accident Attorneys

The experienced car accident attorneys at Riddle & Riddle can help you seek the compensation you deserve if you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident. We will listen to you, investigate your claim, and advise you on your best available legal options.

If you decide to hire an accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle, we’ll do everything we can to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.

That’s our promise to you.

For a FREE consultation with an experienced Raleigh car accident lawyer, please call (919) 876-3020.

There are no upfront costs and you won’t pay a dime in attorney fees unless we recover financial compensation for you.

“They made a hard time in my life easier to endure.”

-Melissa C., Riddle & Riddle client

Proving negligence in any type of personal injury case is difficult, so injured drivers need legal representation they can trust to handle these claims. The car accident lawyers at Riddle & Riddle have the experience and resources to handle the toughest car accident claims. Call (919) 876-3020 for a free consultation with one of our Raleigh personal injury attorneys.

We believe Justice Counts for victims of motor vehicle accidents in Raleigh and the greater Triangle and we would love to help however we can.

“I would recommend them to anyone. They fought hard for me.”

-Christine W., Riddle & Riddle client

There is no obligation and there are no attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation for your auto accident injuries. The car accident attorneys at Riddle & Riddle would love to help with your car accident injury claim.

Please call (919) 876-3020 and let’s talk.

Justice Counts.

Hours of Operation

Open 24/7 Monday - Sunday

*NOTE: We respond to phone calls, emails, and online chats 24/7, and can meet at our Raleigh location between 8:30am and 5:30pm Monday through Friday. We also have investigators on staff who can come directly to you if that is more convenient.