Were you injured in a truck accident in Wilmington, NC? Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers knows that your case isn’t just about legal issues–it’s your life and your future. You can count on an experienced Wilmington truck accident lawyer to help you recover the maximum compensation possible for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys have over 190 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. We’ve successfully recovered over $850 million in settlements and verdicts for accident victims over the years.
Let us put our proven track record of success to work in your case. Contact our law offices in Wilmington, North Carolina at 800-525-7111 to schedule a free consultation today.
Injured in Wilmington? Contact Us Today!
Why Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Legal Assistance After a Semi-Truck Accident in Wilmington?
When you hire Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, you benefit from a team that will:
- Investigate and locate evidence to prove your case
- Identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages
- Locate all sources of insurance
- Handle the insurance communications
- Be ready and defend against allegations that you caused the wreck
- Work with respected experts to strengthen your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a full settlement
Your choice of lawyer can make a real difference in the amount of compensation you recover. Accidents involving big rigs and tractor-trailers are particularly complex. Trucking companies have teams of defense lawyers and insurance adjusters who will fight you at every turn.
Our experienced Wilmington personal injury attorneys have the tools to fight back. When the insurance company sees you’ve hired us, they won’t be able to take your case lightly. They’ll know that the usual scare tactics simply won’t work.
The trucking company is already searching for ways to minimize your case value. Our Wilmington personal injury lawyers are ready to start fighting back today. Just call to schedule a free consultation.
How Common Are Commercial Truck Accidents in North Carolina?
According to preliminary data published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 5,469 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in North Carolina during 2024 alone.
3,270 truck accident injuries were reported. Tragically, 159 victims lost their lives in fatal truck wrecks.
How Much Compensation Is My Wilmington Truck Accident Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury claim in North Carolina depends on multiple factors, including:
- Severity of the injuries. Victims with serious or permanent injuries typically receive higher compensation awards
- Medical costs. Your compensation award should account for all current and anticipated future medical costs, including hospitalization, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and nursing care
- Earnings impact. Both current lost wages and lost future earning capacity are compensable
- Property damage. Your compensation should include the cost of repairing damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
- Long-term impact. Some life changes will impact you far into the future, and these changes should all be accounted for in your settlement or verdict
Insurance companies often focus on things that will reduce your compensation. They’ll probably try to blame you in order to avoid paying the compensation you deserve. Hiring an experienced Wilmington truck accident attorney tells them you aren’t willing to settle for a lowball deal.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims in Wilmington?
Your “damages” are the losses you have experienced due to the truck accident and injuries. North Carolina law permits victims to pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover the clear financial losses caused by the accident, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages if you couldn’t work due to the injuries
- Lost future earning potential if you suffer a long-term injury
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
Non-economic damages attempt to address the personal suffering you have experienced, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- PTSD
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
While North Carolina courts rarely award punitive damages, they are possible in cases involving particularly shocking and reckless acts.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in North Carolina?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay anything when you hire us. You only pay our attorneys’ fees if–and when–we recover compensation in your case. You’ll pay a percentage of whatever compensation we win for you.
We know you don’t need another layer of financial stress right now. We also believe that quality legal representation is key to holding careless people responsible for their actions.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Truck Accident in North Carolina?
Because North Carolina follows a particularly strict contributory negligence law, you’ll lose your right to damages if the other party proves you were partly responsible.
Shared fault is a common defense in truck accident cases. It’s a mistake to take allegations of shared fault lightly. Even if the defendant did something wrong, you can’t recover any compensation if you share even a small portion of the blame. Calling an experienced attorney should be your first move if someone tries to blame you for the truck crash.
Our Legal Team in Wilmington Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help with any type of truck accident injury, including cases involving:
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Concussions
- Chest injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Occupants in smaller passenger vehicles tend to experience the worst injuries in a truck accident. Our law firm is dedicated to helping injury victims seek justice while they recover from their injuries. If you or a loved one were injured, call to schedule a free case review today.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wilmington?
Truck accidents occur for a multitude of reasons.
Some common causes include:
- Distracted driving and texting while driving
- Fatigued driving because of long hours on the road due to hours-of-service violations
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Weaving between lanes
- Dangerous and wide turns
- Braking errors and mechanical failures
- Skipping pre- and post-trip inspections of the truck
- Inexperienced or unqualified truck drivers
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Dangerous road conditions
- Cargo loading mistakes
Although commercial truck drivers must obtain a special license, they’re just as likely to make mistakes as anyone else. If you were in a truck accident, it’s important to understand why it occurred. Our lawyers can help by launching our own independent investigation and evaluating the results of the truck company’s investigation.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Collision in North Carolina?
Accident victims must prove four elements to establish negligence, and thus their right to compensation:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- A breach of duty occurred
- The breach caused the accident
- You sustained damages
From a practical perspective, you’ll need evidence to prove each of these elements, including:
- The truck’s electronic recording device (ERD, or “black box”)
- The driver’s CDL qualifications and hours-of-service log
- Results of inspections before and after trips
- Maintenance records
- Eyewitness statements
- Photos and videos of the crash scene
- Medical records
- Accident reports and traffic citations
- Drug and alcohol test results
Testimony from experts in accident reconstruction can also be particularly useful in complex truck accident claims.
Who Is Liable for Truck Accident Injuries in Wilmington?
Nearly all accident victims start off with an insurance claim. The relevant insurance policy will depend on who is legally liable for your injuries. When accidents involve large commercial vehicles, it’s very likely that someone other than the at-fault driver will be responsible for paying your damages.
Responsible parties might include:
- The negligent truck driver
- A trucking company that hired the truck driver
- Truck leasing companies
- Truck inspection or maintenance companies
- Cargo loading companies
- Manufacturers of defective parts or equipment
- Government agencies
- Third-party motorists
Of course, if insurance isn’t sufficient to cover your damages, we can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in North Carolina?
Under North Carolina law, the statute of limitations gives most accident victims three years to file a lawsuit. The three-year clock starts running on the date the accident occurred.
The deadline is two years in wrongful death cases, running from the date of the victim’s death.
It’s critical to act quickly so you don’t miss these important deadlines and lose your right to damages.
Contact an Experienced Wilmington Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The time after a truck accident can be incredibly challenging. You have a lot on your plate–but you shouldn’t put off getting legal advice. Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to learn how a Wilmington truck accident lawyer can help today.