Durham Car Accident Lawyer
Were you or a family member injured in a car accident in Durham, NC? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced Durham car accident lawyer from Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers will help you maximize your compensation award, so call (800) 525-7111 today to get started.
Quick Facts About Riddle & Riddle
- Riddle & Riddle has earned more than 1,800 five-star reviews from car accident clients across North Carolina.
- Riddle & Riddle car accident lawyers secured a $2,750,000 settlement for a client who was injured in a head on motor vehicle collision in North Carolina.
- Attorneys at Riddle & Riddle have earned recognition from organizations including The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help After a Car Accident in Durham?
- Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
- How Much Money Can I Get from a Car Accident Case?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
- What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Car Accident?
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Durham?
- Can I Get Money if I Was Partly At Fault for My Car Accident?
- Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
- Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
- Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?
- Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
- Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
- Durham Car Accident Statistics
- What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- Call Our Durham Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
Our team has over 171 years of experience in personal injury law. We know how to help you navigate the legal system to recover the maximum compensation you deserve after a crash. In fact, our award-winning attorneys have already recovered over $900 million in settlements and verdicts (see disclaimer below).
Insurance companies work hard to minimize the payouts accident victims receive. If you were injured in an accident, contact our law offices in Durham, North Carolina, or call us to schedule a free consultation today. We have the skills to help you make the most of your financial award.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help After a Car Accident in Durham?
After an auto accident, you need a proven team you can trust. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, our record speaks for itself:
- 171 years of combined legal experience fighting for injury victims across North Carolina
- More than $900 million recovered in verdicts and settlements
- 1,800+ five-star reviews, reflecting the personal attention and compassion we bring to every case
- Award-winning attorneys, consistently recognized for excellence in personal injury law
We’ve built our reputation on results and relationships. That means putting your needs first, tailoring strategies to your unique case, and never backing down against insurance companies or big corporations.
With deep roots in North Carolina and a track record of success that few firms can match, we’re prepared to guide you every step of the way. To learn more about an attorney-client relationship, call our Durham personal injury lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
Durham Car Accident Case Results
| Recovery Amount | Case Context |
|---|---|
| $3,600,000 | Our client was in a construction zone where the construction company used unsafe and negligent signage and flags to warn of the danger. |
| $2,250,000 | A company truck traveling at an excessive rate of speed crossed the center line of travel and crashed into the plaintiff head-on. |
| $1,500,000 | Our client suffered a fractured femur and tibia, a head laceration, concussion, and incontinence when a vehicle in front of her made an illegal U-turn causing a collision. |
| $1,000,000 | Our client was a resident of Florida who was a passenger in a vehicle with a Massachusetts driver, who was involved in a single-vehicle collision in North Carolina. |
What Our Clients Say About Working With Riddle & Riddle
Why Should I Hire a Durham Car Accident Lawyer?
With legal representation, you’ll have a trusted advocate in your corner every step of the way. Here are some reasons to hire an accident attorney to handle your case:
- You’ll level the playing field: Insurance companies know the claims process inside and out. They know how much you deserve–and how to convince you to accept less money than you deserve. Hiring a respected attorney tells the insurance company you mean business and aren’t willing to take a lowball settlement deal.
- You’ll gain access to respected experts: An established law firm will have a network of experts who can testify on your behalf. From leading medical professionals to specialists in accident reconstruction, these witnesses can be key to recovering the full compensation you deserve.
- You stop blame-the-victim scare tactics: Insurers look for ways to blame the victim. They’re off the hook for your damages if they can prove you were even slightly responsible for the accident. A skilled attorney will be ready with the strongest defense possible if this happens.
- Your recovery may be difficult: Serious injuries take a toll on the victim. Hiring an attorney eases the burden because they can handle the insurance and legal issues on your behalf.
You can also rest assured that you have a respected advocate doing everything possible to get the money you deserve.
What Is the Legal Window to File a Car Accident Claim in Durham?
You only have a limited amount of time to seek compensation after an accident. The statute of limitations in most North Carolina personal injury cases is three years.
In fatal accident cases, you have two years from the date of the victim’s death to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.
If you don’t file your personal injury lawsuit within the allotted time period, you lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
While some exceptions exist, they can work for or against you. It’s best to discuss the deadline with a lawyer as quickly as you can after an accident so that you don’t run the risk of losing your right to sue for damages.
Types of Compensation a Durham Car Accident Lawyer Recover
North Carolina car accident victims may be entitled to recovery for their economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages account for any financial losses you’ve incurred because of the defendant’s actions, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Home and vehicle modifications
- In-home assistance
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs
Non-economic damages are more subjective and are awarded to compensate for your more personal and intangible losses. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Courts can also award punitive damages to punish defendants for extremely reckless and wrongful behavior. They are awarded to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Durham Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You can retain a personal injury law firm by agreeing to pay a percentage of your final settlement or verdict. This “contingency fee” replaces the upfront retainer fees that many lawyers in different fields charge.
This system allows you to pursue legal action without immediate expenses. It also ensures that your interests are aligned with your attorney’s interests. After all, your attorney will only get paid if they succeed in recovering compensation in your case.
Can I Get Money if I Was Partly At Fault for My Car Accident?
When it comes to shared fault, North Carolina has adopted the harshest law possible. Under the strict contributory negligence law, you cannot recover compensation if you were found to be even slightly to blame for your own injuries.
The insurance company won’t hesitate to use this harsh rule to its advantage. If there is any evidence that you shared blame, they’ll exploit that evidence. These allegations aren’t always fair or legitimate. The bottom line is that if someone is blaming you for the crash, it’s always a smart idea to have experienced legal representation.
Free Case Review
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights. Riddle & Riddle is here to guide you through the process and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Common Cases Our Durham Car Accident Lawyer's See
While auto accidents can occur for any number of reasons, the most common causes of car wrecks include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding and ignoring traffic regulations
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous or illegal turns
- Passing too closely
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy
- Road hazards
In other words, car accidents occur when someone was careless, reckless or committed some type of wrongful act. Most car accident claims are based on negligent driving.
To recover compensation based on negligence theories, you’ll have to establish a few things, namely:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care. All drivers have a basic duty to obey traffic laws and use a reasonable amount of caution when they get behind the wheel
- The defendant breached that duty by failing to use due caution
- That breach, or mistake, directly caused your accident
- You suffered damages
It’s important to start collecting evidence quickly after a car crash. After an accident, our lawyers will review medical records, accident reports, and any other evidence that can be used to establish liability.
Make Your Justice Count™: Speak With a Durham Car Accident Lawyer Today
You shouldn’t have to spend your recovery time fighting with an insurance company. An experienced Durham car accident attorney can handle the details while you rest and recover.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we have the tools necessary to get the results you deserve. Give us a call today to learn more about the legal process.