Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured by a person or business, you have the right under North Carolina law to receive compensation for your injuries. Our experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyers can help.
Our compassionate team helps clients with medical care, medical bills, property damage, and dealing with the stress of their physical recovery. We provide support, care, and concern in the aftermath of tragedies.
As former insurance defense attorneys, we know how to fight for every penny you deserve.
Personal Injury Lawyers Serving North Carolina
Our Raleigh Personal Injury Settlements and Verdicts:
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In 2023, we represented a client who was severely burned and suffered permanent injuries after a fire and reached a confidential settlement with the alleged responsible parties for $4,750,000. Other details about the incident, including the location of the incident, the venue, the names of the parties, and the names of the attorneys for the defendants, were withheld due to a confidentiality agreement. Learn more here.
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In 2022, we represented an 49-year-old client who suffered catastrophic burn injuries when a cleaning product caught fire and exploded in the commercial kitchen where he was working. It was a complex case that involved defective products claims as well as premises liability claims. Our team of defective products attorneys in Raleigh reached a confidential settlement with the product manufacturer, the product distributor, and the owner of the commercial kitchen for $2,500,000.00. Read more here.
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In 2020, we represented an 84-year-old client who was severely injured and suffered brain injuries after he fell into an open service pit at an auto repair shop. Our team of premises liability attorneys in Raleigh reached a confidential settlement with the auto repair shop franchisor and local franchisee for $1,800,000. Read more here.
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In 2022, we represented a client who suffered catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, who was grossly intoxicated after being over-served alcohol by a wedding venue. Our team of Raleigh dram shop lawyers settled the case against the drunk driver and wedding venue for the maximum limit of insurance coverage available, which amounted to $1,020,000. Read more here.
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In 2021, we represented a client who was injured after she (a pedestrian) was struck by a vehicle in an unmarked crosswalk. Our team of Raleigh car accident lawyers settled the case against the driver for $400,000.00. Read more here.
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In 2023, we represented a client who was injured after he (a pedestrian) was struck by a commercial tractor trailer while walking across a parking lot. Our team of Raleigh trucking accident lawyers confidentially settled the case against the commercial driver and trucking company for $375,000.00. Learn more here.
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In 2021, we represented a client (and student) who was sexually assaulted by a teacher in high school. Our team of Raleigh sexual assault lawyers settled the case against the school district for $200,000.00. Read more here.
Common Injuries Caused By Personal Injury Accidents in Raleigh, NC
Personal injury accidents can cause minor and serious injuries bodily injuries to everyone involved or even death. Some of the most common types of injuries our Raleigh injury attorneys and trial lawyers see in their cases are:
Back and spine injuries
Neck injuries
Brain injuries
Sprained and bruised knees, ankles, wrists, hips, and shoulders
Broken bones
Fire, electrocution, and burns
Drownings
Eye injuries
Hearing loss
Amputations
Chest and abdominal injuries
Anxiety and psychological injuries
Damages Our Raleigh Personal Injury Attorneys Could Help You Recover
The personal injuries you suffered may entitle you to monetary payments and compensation. Some of the most common types of damages (explained in more detail here) recovered in the cases handled by our Raleigh injury lawyers are:
Medical bills paid/reimbursed
Future medical expenses
Lost wages and income for time you missed at work
Pain and suffering/mental anguish
Loss of consortium if your accident affected your relationship with your spouse
Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
Punitive damages to punish the other party for particularly bad, reckless, or outrageous conduct that caused your injuries
A Guide to North Carolina Personal Injury Claims
Most personal injury victims have questions about what they should/shouldn’t do and how the legal system works. It’s understandable because this kind of tragedy rarely happens to a person more than once. Unfortunately, there is little reliable or correct information about personal injury cases that is available to the public, which causes confusion about the personal injury process and hurts injury victims’ chances for recovery. Here’s what our team of Raleigh injury lawyers believe you should know:
1. What Should I Do After I’m Injured in an Accident in Raleigh, NC?
The initial moments and days after your personal injury accident are critical, not only for your well-being but for your chances for compensation as well. These are the most important steps to take after your injury accident:
Take photos of your injuries
Visit a doctor if you haven’t already
Follow the doctor’s recommendations and attend all follow-up appointments
Write down a narrative of what happened while it’s still fresh in your head
Make a list of witnesses and their contact information if you know it
Follow any additional instructions from your attorney
2. How Do I File a Personal Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
A personal injury case begins when you file legal documents called a “summons” and “complaint” in the appropriate North Carolina court, usually in the county where you live or where the accident occurred. The specific details are outlined in Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Filing a case is as simple as taking the summons and complaint to the court clerk of the court where you’re filing the case.
The clerk accepts the filing and returns your copies so that you can serve the defendant with their copy of the filing documents. “Serving” a defendant means providing them with a copy of your file-stamped summons and complaint in a very specific, formal way, which is explained in Rule 5 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Your complaint must include all of the grounds to bring your case and all of your demands for compensation.
3. Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Trial in Raleigh, NC?
95% of personal injury cases, according to government statistics, resolve before needing to go to trial. The vast majority of injury cases will settle before the trial date arrives (sometimes even before a lawsuit is filed), and others will settle in the middle of trial. The most common reasons cases go to trial are:
The defendant’s insurance adjuster and company believes they will win the case, so they offer a very low settlement or none.
The insurance company doesn’t want to set a precedent for settling your type of personal injury lawsuit.
The monetary amount demanded by your attorney is too high for the insurance company to settle without fighting the claim.
Liability (meaning who is at-fault) or the injured person’s damages are too contested or questionable to find a middle ground.
The more time spent in preparation and building the case, the more likely your case will reach an appropriate settlement. But there are a lot of variables, and if your case is in the small percentage that go to trial, a Raleigh personal injury attorney can help prepare you for what to expect.
4. How Much Will My Personal Injury Claim Settle for in Raleigh, NC?
There’s no way to precisely value your claim, but an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to give you an approximate value based on their experiences and prior results in other cases. The value of your claim includes your economic damages like costs for medical treatment, lost wages, future medical care, paying for help you need around the home, and physical therapy.
To approximate a total case value, you can add up your total economic damages and then multiply that figure by 1.5 or 2 (for moderate injuries) to account for pain and suffering, which will give you a rough range of what a jury might award might be or how an insurance company could value your claim. For serious injuries with significant permanent injury, you might multiply your total economic damages by 4 or 5 for those severe cases. For incidents that “shock the conscience,” like car accidents involving drunk drivers, we have seen victims awarded damages 10x or more of their economic damages. In a recent drunk driving case, our team of car accident attorneys in Raleigh negotiated a settlement for our clients that was 13x their medical bills.
5. What If I’m Partially At-Fault for Causing the Accident or My Injuries in Raleigh, NC?
Whether it’s true or not, you are likely going to be blamed for causing your accident or injuries, even if just partially. You might even believe that you are responsible for the accident. However, there is a big difference between what regular people think about fault and what the law says. For instance, you might think a man stepping into a clearly visible 23 ft x 3 ft open service pit at an auto repair shop that he’s frequented for years is to blame for his own injuries. But the $1,800,000 settlement our team of Raleigh premises liability lawyers secured in that case in 2020 suggests otherwise.
North Carolina does follow the doctrine of contributory negligence, which could prevent you from recovering damages from your accident if a jury believes you are partially to blame. However, an experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer understands that defense and how to work around it.
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6. How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Reach a Settlement in Raleigh, NC?
A small of number of cases resolve very quickly before a lawsuit is even filed. It may take 3-4 months to obtain your medical bills and records and 1-2 weeks to negotiate with the claims adjuster. However, these cases are in the minority and are usually limited to very specific circumstances (like when liability is clear and the damages are so severe that they clearly are worth more than the limits of available insurance).
In most other cases, litigation can last for a year or more. The more complicated or contested your case, the longer you can expect it to take. You do have some control over the length of your case because it’s up to you to accept or reject settlement offers.
7. How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
There is limited amount of time you have to file a claim, also known as the statute of limitation. In North Carolina, for most personal injury cases, you have 3 years from the accident or injury to bring a claim. For accidents that resulted in death, you have 2 years from the date of the death. There is no wiggle room or do-overs when it comes to deadlines to file a personal injury claim, so it is in your best interest to get a Raleigh personal injury attorney involved as early as possible after your accident.
8. What is the Process for a North Carolina Personal Injury Claim?
Once you file the case, you serve the other side with a copy of the paperwork. Then you wait for them to file an Answer, which is just a legal document that admits or denies the allegations in your Complaint. At the time same, you have time to build your case by contacting witnesses, gathering medical evidence, and collecting evidence from the other party. This is known as “discovery.” At that time, you may be asked to give a “deposition,” which is sworn testimony under oath. An experienced injury lawyer in Raleigh can help, guide, and prepare you through this process.
In North Carolina, it is mandatory for the parties to also participate in “mediation” before the case goes to trial. Mediation is simply a meeting (either via Zoom or in a conference room) that all of the parties are required to attend, along with a professional mediator, to see if the case can be settled and resolved. A representative of the insurance carrier who decides how much money the carrier will offer will also be present. A majority of cases resolve through mediation.
9. How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, NC Charge?
Many Raleigh personal injury attorneys will agree to work on your case with no money up front or out-of-pocket. If you succeed in your case, they will take a percentage of the compensation you receive either in your settlement or judgment from a jury verdict. This is also known as a contingency fee. In most of our cases, we charge a contingency fee equal to 1/3 of the amounts we recover on your behalf. That means we have a financial incentive to help you recover every amount you’re owed, not one penny less.
10. What Does a Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer Do to Help?
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide you with numerous benefits. Injury attorneys know how to conduct initial investigations and save important evidence (before it could be destroyed) that might be needed for your case. They are able to work with experts, law enforcement, and first responders to prove what happened in your accident. They can assist with getting you the appropriate medical care and treatment.
Good North Carolina injury attorneys can also negotiate with the at-fault parties, their lawyers, and insurance adjusters to get you fair compensation for your injuries. But perhaps most importantly, an injury lawyer can take the weight and burden of the legal aspects of your case off your shoulders so you to focus on your recovery.
11. What Happens After I File a Personal Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
In a North Carolina personal injury lawsuit, the injured party (victim) files a formal demand for compensation called a Complaint. Once you file the case, you serve the other side with a copy of the paperwork. Then you wait for them to file an Answer, which is just a legal document that admits or denies the allegations in your Complaint. At the time same, you have time to build your case by contacting witnesses, gathering medical evidence, and collecting evidence from the other party. This is known as “discovery.” At that time, you may be asked to give a “deposition,” which is sworn testimony under oath. An experienced North Carolina injury lawyer, like our team in Raleigh, NC, can help, guide, and prepare you through this process.
12. What Is the Statute of Limitations in North Carolina for Personal Injury Claims?
There is limited amount of time you have to file a claim, also known as a statute of limitation. In North Carolina, for most personal injury cases, you have 3 years from the accident or injury to bring a claim. For accidents that resulted in death, you have 2 years from the date of the death. There are different and separate time limits for contracts cases, criminal cases, and cases about property damage.
13. What is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
Determining the average settlement for a North Carolina personal injury case is difficult because there are so many different types and severity of injuries. In North Carolina, according to statewide statistics, smaller personal injury cases settle for an average of $52,900, but a number of facts go into the value of a case. Those include:
The defendant’s ability to pay
The severity of your injuries and damages you sustained
Who is at-fault and how bad their conduct was
However, cases may settle for more than the average when a good North Carolina personal injury lawyer is on your side.
14. How Do I Maximize My Personal Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
The first step to maximizing your personal injury settlement is hiring a personal injury lawyer. On average, cases where the victim is represented by an injury lawyer settle for larger amounts than when victims are unrepresented and try to handle their claims by themselves. It isn’t fair, but insurance carriers simply don’t take personal injury claims seriously if the injured person isn’t represented by a lawyer.
15. Does Pain and Suffering Include Medical Bills (and What’s the Difference)?
No, pain and suffering is different from economic damages like medical bills and lost wages. Pain and suffering relates to the hassle, anxiety, stress, actual pain, and trauma you suffered as a result of the injury. But you have a right to claim full compensation for your injuries, which means medical bills, other economic damages, permanent disability, AND pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is on top of and in addition to your economic damages, like medical bills.
16. What Is Fair Compensation for Pain and Suffering for an Injury Claim in Raleigh, NC?
There is no magic formula for determining what amount of pain and suffering is fair in your case. In general, pain and suffering is proportional to the injuries you suffered. If your injuries are severe and/or caused permanent disability, the more pain and suffering compensation would be fair to award in your case. In a case with severe injuries and lifelong suffering, you might be awarded pain and suffering that is 5x or more of your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc). In minor injury cases, your pain and suffering may be slightly less or equal to the amount of your medical bills.
However, sometimes there is a disconnect between what is just and fair in your case vs. what an insurance company or at-fault party will actually pay. A good personal injury lawyer has experience and even tools that can investigate recent judgments and settlements in your area to give you the best leverage in settlement negotiations so you can recover what is fair.
17. How Long Are Personal Injury Judgments Valid in North Carolina?
A judgment in North Carolina is valid for 10 years from the date it was awarded by the Court, but it can be renewed once for another 10 years. The specific statutes surrounding judgments can be found here. The laws surrounding recovering or enforcing a judgment in North Carolina can be tricky, and we recommend speaking with an experienced injury lawyer to make sure you take advantage of all of the mechanisms available to recover from the at-fault party.
18. What Types of Injuries Are Considered a “Personal Injury” in Raleigh, NC?
A “personal injury” is any injury that is caused by the negligence of another person or company. It can include physical pain or injuries, mental pain or injuries, or psychological trauma or injuries. In a personal injury lawsuit, the victim brings a claim for financial compensation against the wrongdoer or at-fault party. The victim may receive compensation not only for his/her current injuries and pain and suffering but potentially also future medical treatment and disability as well.
19. Can I File a Personal Injury Claim Without a Lawyer in Raleigh, NC?
Yes, you can file a personal injury lawsuit without a lawyer. However, if you bring your case on your own, you’re subject to the same rules and standards as you would be if you had an injury attorney. You are required to follow the same formalities and rules when filing court documents. The rules of discovery, admission of evidence, and civil procedure will still apply to you in your case. If you make a mistake, there is a chance that you case will be dismissed or thrown out. While you can file a civil lawsuit without an attorney, your best chance to recover the maximum amount possible is working with an experienced injury lawyer.
20. How Do I Find the Best Raleigh Injury Lawyer for My Case?
Like every profession, injury lawyers vary in experience, skills, style, dedication, and levels of customer service so “best” can mean different things to different people. It’s a good idea to see if the injury lawyers you are considering have positive client testimonials, good (and recent) case results, and are passionate about helping others. It depends on whether you want to hire a law firm that works with thousands of clients every year or a smaller firm that only focuses on a limited number of cases. The relationship between lawyer and client requires a significant amount of trust and communication over an extended period of time, so the most important factor is choosing a lawyer that “feels right” to you.
Raleigh Personal Injury Statistics
As a whole, the United States experienced an increase in civil cases filings (which include personal injury cases) in 2020. Personal injury claims surged 97% from the numbers recorded in 2019. Whether the injury happens to you, a family member, or a friend, it can be frustrating and even life-changing when you’re injured because of someone else’s actions (what we call “negligence”). Over 400,000 personal injury claims are filed each year in the United States, but (as described below) only a small percentage (less than 5%) actually go to trial. Personal injury accidents take many different forms.
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Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one have been injured and want to know your legal rights, our experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyers are available to help.
Raleigh Injury Cases We Handle
Car Accidents
Pedestrian and Crosswalk
AccidentsMotorcycle and Bike Accidents
Trucking and tractor-Trailer Accidents
Drunk Driving Accidents
Defective Products (Products Liability)
Premises Liability
Slip and Fall Accidents
Gas Leaks and Explosions
Fire and Burn Injuries
Drowning and Pond Accidents
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Dog and Animal Bites
Daycare Abuse and Neglect
Assault and Sexual Assault
COnstruction accidents
Fraternity and Sorority Hazing
Wrongful and Accidental Death
Raleigh Injury Lawyer Prices
For transparent, upfront pricing on what our Raleigh personal injury attorneys charge to help you with your accident, please click below.
Raleigh Injury
Lawyer FAQs
Areas Our Injury
Lawyers Serve:
The Best Raleigh Injury
Lawyers Will:
Thoroughly investigate your accident
Explain your options
Guide you through the claims process
Negotiate with the insurance company
File a lawsuit if necessary
Above all else, fight for you
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Why Our Raleigh Injury Lawyers Provide Free Consultations
Free legal consultations play a vital role in ensuring access to justice as well as promoting fairness, justice, and the well-being of accident victims. That’s why our award-winning Raleigh personal injury lawyers always provide free consultations for potential clients
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers
Even if the at-fault party’s insurance company blames you for the accident, our Raleigh injury attorneys can help you recover the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve for your damages.