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You Deserve High-Quality Durham Injury Lawyers


We’re sorry you or your loved one were hurt through another’s carelessness. Unfortunately, serious injuries are all too common in Durham. According to the most recent Health Assessment, injuries in Durham County from 2010-13 resulted in some shocking numbers: more than 6,184 hospitalizations and 55,079 emergency department visits.

You’ve heard a lot of law jargon about Personal Injury, but how does it all work? We have answers to some common questions below. If you’re ready to have your case evaluated for free by a Durham injury lawyer, a real person is on standby, 24/7.

Tip: Our Durham office fights for clients on matters other than personal injury, too, like Social Security Disability and Workers’ Comp. Visit our main office page for more information. 

Do I Need a Durham Personal Injury Attorney?

Let’s start here. Do you need us, or any Durham personal injury attorney, after you’ve been injured? Here are three good reasons to consider getting an attorney after your injury:

  1. You don’t know what you don’t know: for example, do you know to ask for diminished value after a car wreck?
  2. You get to focus on your recovery: let us deal with the legal hassles while you direct your energy to getting better.
  3. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators: hire your own trained negotiators to seek the maximum compensation you may deserve.
 Jargon Blocker! Is a “personal injury” just a regular old injury? Equip yourself with Personal Injury 101 knowledge.

What Are the Most Common Accident Types in Durham?

Car accidents are one of the most common accident types in Durham, in part because they can happen in so many different ways. From a rear-end collision where you’re the driver, to being injured by a careless driver as a passenger or bystander, a car wreck can happen at any time.

$387,500 Settlement: One client in Durham was injured when another car crossed over the center line of traffic and hit his car head on! Fortunately, we were able to settle the case for $387,500.1

Unlike some drivers on North Carolina roads, we shouldn’t forget about motorcycle riders. A motorcycle accident can result in devastating injuries, and may call for the services of a personal injury lawyer in Durham.

But a Durham personal injury lawyer handles much more than car and motorcycle accident cases. Here are some other common accident types we see in Durham and throughout the state:

A personal injury lawyer in Durham, NC can help you evaluate if you have a personal injury claim and what compensation you may be entitled to under the law.

Tip: You generally have three years in North Carolina from the date you were injured to bring a personal injury claim.

What Is “Pain And Suffering?”

If it’s determined that you are entitled to compensation following your personal injury, there are different types of damages you may be able to collect. The underlying goal of legal compensation is to restore you to the position you would have been in were it not for someone else’s negligence.

Some things you can potentially get compensated for are pretty straightforward, like economic losses: you missed two months of work due to the injury, so you want two months worth of salary from the negligent person who injured you. Or you’re going to have ongoing and future medical expenses as a result of your injury that you want to be compensated for.

But what about something more abstract, like your physical pain or emotional distress? You’re not a robot: it’s not just about the time you’re out of commission and the cost of repairs, but the initial and lingering pain of your injuries and your initial and ongoing mental anguish. Both physical and mental “pain and suffering” caused by your injury are potential reasons for compensation.

Personal injury damages classified by types, and the corresponding example.

Some types of pain and suffering for which it may be possible to collect damages include:

  • Temporary and permanent limitations of your mobility
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding and ruptures
  • Fractures and aches
  • Humiliation from burn marks or scarring
  • Diminished enjoyment of life
  • Depression
  • Loss of intimacy
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated?

As you might expect, there are no hard and fast rules for calculating these kinds of damages. How do you put a price on suffering? The jury may have to use their best judgment if the case goes to trial, or a settlement may be negotiated instead. There’s a lot to consider and calculate when things are already as stressful as they can be. An injury attorney in Durham can help shoulder the load.

Can I File a Personal Injury Case If I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition does not prevent you from filing a personal injury case. Remember, the goal of legal compensation is to restore you to how you were before you got injured. You don’t have to have been perfect before the injury to be entitled to potential compensation. In the event of a pre-existing injury or condition, the injured party can seek compensation based on how much the pre-existing condition worsened as a result of the new injury.

The point of contention between your attorney and the insurance company is likely to be causation. Can medical records and testimony establish that your pre-existing injury was worsened or aggravated by the new injury? The insurance company may argue that your worsened condition was caused by the passage of time or a cause unrelated to the new injury.

Why Hire Us as Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Durham?

Skill and speed. We know how the other side works because we have several former insurance adjusters, defense firm attorneys, and even a former state senator on staff. We recovered over $155 million in gross for over 4,800 clients in 2021.1

And we take pride in our value of “no waiting around.” Our proprietary software and streamlined processes have earned national recognition and lots of praise from our clients.

Free Case Evaluation! Do you need a personal injury law firm in Durham, NC to fight for your rights? We have the experience and resources to help you with your case. And our Contingency Fee Arrangement means no attorney’s fee unless you get paid.2 We’re here to help.

 

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five star review badge Former Car Accident client, Online Google Review
James Scott Farrin's team was so helpful
James Scott Farrin's team was so helpful and so responsive to all my questions and kept me very aware of everything that went on with my case from day one. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone. … They had patience and gave me straight up honest answers to everything I wanted to know. 1
five star review badge Former Auto Accident Client, Online Google Review
I had an amazing experience with James Scott Farrin.
I had an amazing experience with James Scott Farrin. They were consistent and answered all questions and catered to all my needs. Thank you so much. If you [need] any assistance with any accidents, I highly recommend James Scott Farrin for your legal team. 1
five star review badge Former Car Accident Client, Online Google Review
The team was great!
The team was great! They were always there when we needed them, whether it was by text or email. Responses to our questions were very prompt. Hopefully we won't need them again, but we would certainly use them again and refer them to everyone. Thanks to the entire team! 1

Testimonials do not reference all the feedback the firm has received. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its individual facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome can be achieved in the future.

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