Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer

The insurance company knows what your case is worth – to them. Right after you get hit by their insured driver, some insurers may have already calculated it down to the penny, factoring in your medical bills, lost wages, and exactly how much pain they think you’ll settle for. While you’re still processing what happened at that I-440 intersection or on Capital Boulevard, are they strategizing how to pay you as little as possible?

Our Raleigh car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin know their tactics because we’ve battled powerful insurance companies thousands of times. We understand that the true cost of your injuries may extend far beyond today’s medical bills. If an insurance adjuster pushes lowball offers hoping you’ll take quick cash over fair compensation, we can push back with facts, experience, and our reputation for great results. We’ve recovered over $2 billion total for over 73,000 injured people since opening our doors in 1997.¹

Reasons to Choose the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin As Your Raleigh Car Accident Law Firm

When you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, the choice of legal representation can profoundly impact your recovery and financial future. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we bring extensive skill, significant resources, and a steadfast client-first philosophy to every car accident claim we handle.

Our Proven Track Record¹

Our firm is built on providing excellent legal representation, working to help our clients receive compassionate, capable assistance, and being an unwavering advocate from initial call through case resolution. We are equipped to handle car accident cases in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina.

Our formidable team comprises 60+ skilled attorneys and more than 200 dedicated staff members who all prioritize our clients’ needs. We can dedicate significant resources to thoroughly investigating your case, building effective legal strategies, and challenging large insurance companies.

Our track record demonstrates our commitment to securing justice for injured Raleigh residents and across North Carolina:

• We recovered over $240 million total for over 5,000 people in 2024.¹
• We have recovered over $2 billion total for over 73,000 people since 1997. And counting.¹
• These numbers don’t include the $1.25 billion we led a team of firms to recover for 15,700 claimants in a historic class action case against the U.S. government for discrimination.*

Many of our attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. Several attorneys hold North Carolina State Bar Board Certification as Specialists in their fields, which means they’ve intentionally focused their legal practice to improve the proficiency and quality of their legal services and to stay current in the specialty field.

Our Client-Focused Approach

We believe in putting our clients’ needs first during every step of the legal process. This means maintaining open communication, providing regular updates, and helping you understand your options at each stage.

Basics of Raleigh Auto Accident Claims

After being injured in a motor vehicle collision due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you may bring an auto accident claim for compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial harm. These claims are generally filed through the North Carolina civil court system, likely at the Wake County District Court.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Raleigh

Our Raleigh car accident lawyers frequently handle cases involving various collision types that affect local drivers daily. Understanding the dynamics of these crashes helps us identify potentially liable parties and build effective cases:

High-Impact Collisions: Head-on crashes may involve impaired or distracted drivers. Rear-end collisions often occur in heavy traffic or at intersections, caused by failing to pay attention or tailgating on busy roads like I-440 or Capital Boulevard.

Intersection Accidents: T-bone (side-impact) collisions are common at intersections, often due to red light violations or failing to yield the right-of-way at major crossings throughout the Triangle area.

Highway Crashes: Sideswipe accidents may happen during unsafe lane changes on multi-lane roads like I-40 or US-1, while rollover accidents result from high speeds, sharp turns, or striking objects.

Several additional accident types frequently affect Raleigh drivers:

• Impaired Driving Accidents: Caused by drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Distracted Driving Accidents: From smartphone use, eating, or other in-vehicle distractions
• Hit and Run Accidents: When an at-fault driver flees the scene without providing information
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents: When at-fault drivers lack sufficient insurance coverage

Each accident type requires different investigative approaches and an understanding of specific liability factors.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Raleigh

Many car crashes in Raleigh stem from driver error or negligence. Recognizing these patterns helps us try to establish liability and build compelling cases. We look for:

• Driver Behavior Issues: Distracted driving represents a frequent primary cause, encompassing activity diverting driver attention from the road. Speeding and reckless driving on city streets or interstates create dangerous conditions for all motorists.
• Impairment and Fatigue: Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases crash risk, while driver fatigue leads to impaired judgment and delayed reactions.
• Traffic Violations: Common violations contributing to accidents include failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections, disregarding traffic signals and signs, and following too closely (tailgating).

Additional contributing factors may include poor weather conditions when drivers fail to adjust their driving, and vehicle malfunctions such as component failures, like faulty brakes or tires.

How to Determine Whether You Have a Viable Car Accident Case

Determining the strength of your car accident case in Raleigh depends on several key legal elements under North Carolina statutes. A strong case typically involves proving these essential components:

Essential Legal Elements

Duty of Care: The at-fault driver had a legal obligation to act reasonably to prevent harm. For example, drivers must obey North Carolina traffic laws and related statutes.

Breach of Duty: The at-fault driver failed to uphold this duty by acting negligently or failing to act. A breach might include speeding, distracted driving, or traffic violations.

Causation: The at-fault driver’s breach directly caused your injuries. There must be a clear link between their negligence and the harm you suffered.

Damages: You incurred actual, quantifiable losses as a result of your injuries, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Proving these elements and understanding complex North Carolina law can be challenging. It’s crucial to consult with our experienced Raleigh car accident lawyers to assess your situation, explain your rights, and determine your claim’s viability.

Who Are Potentially Liable Parties in Raleigh Car Accidents?

Identifying all potentially liable parties in Raleigh car accident claims is essential for seeking comprehensive compensation under North Carolina liability laws. Responsibility might fall on various individuals, businesses, or entities.

The Most Common Responsible Parties

Our attorneys can investigate the details of your collision to try to uncover all potential liability sources, including:

Negligent Drivers: At-fault drivers are often primarily liable for accidents on Raleigh roads, such as along I-40 or Wake Forest Road, when they violate traffic laws or drive carelessly.

Vehicle Owners: Suppose the at-fault driver borrowed or rented the vehicle from another party, such as at the Raleigh-Durham airport. In that case, the vehicle owner might also be liable if they knowingly allowed an unsafe driver to operate their vehicle, or if the car was unsafe to drive.

Employers: If the at-fault driver was on duty performing work-related tasks for their employer, the company might be liable under vicarious liability principles.

Several additional parties may bear responsibility depending on your case circumstances:

• Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: If defects like faulty brakes or airbag malfunctions caused or worsened the crash
• Government Entities: Including the City of Raleigh Department of Transportation or NCDOT, if the accident resulted from poorly maintained roads, faulty traffic signals, or public employee negligence (Note: Claims against government entities have very specific, often short filing deadlines requiring immediate attention.)
• Bars or Restaurants: In specific cases under dram shop liability, businesses whose employees served alcohol to already intoxicated individuals who then caused accidents
• Road Construction Companies: If accidents in construction zones resulted from inadequate signage or negligent work

Learn more about who may be held responsible for your losses during a free case evaluation with our team.

What Damages Are Available in Raleigh Car Accident Lawsuits?

If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence in a Raleigh car collision, you might be entitled to recover various damages under North Carolina law. These damages are typically divided into three categories:

Economic Damages

These quantifiable financial losses are provable with bills and records and may cover:

• Medical Expenses: Past and future medical costs, including emergency services, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, therapy, and long-term care at Raleigh medical facilities like WakeMed or UNC Health Rex
• Lost Wages and Income: Current and future income loss due to the inability to work in the same capacity
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If injuries permanently reduce your future earning potential
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property, such as your vehicle
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Other direct costs like transportation to medical appointments or necessary home modifications

Economic damages require thorough documentation and often expert testimony to establish both current and future financial impacts.

Non-Economic Damages

These subjective losses impact your quality of life and may include:

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort from injuries and ongoing treatment
• Emotional Distress: Psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, affecting daily life
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in hobbies or daily activities you once enjoyed
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent physical alterations affecting appearance and self-esteem
• Loss of Consortium: For the spouse’s loss of companionship and support

Non-economic damages may require expert testimony and detailed evidence to establish their value and impact.

Punitive Damages

These damages are intended to punish egregious conduct and deter future similar actions. North Carolina law limits these damages and requires specific legal standards to be met.

What are the Filing Deadlines for Raleigh Car Accident Lawsuits?

In North Carolina, personal injury claims, including those from car accidents, are subject to strict legal deadlines known as “statutes of limitations” under N.C.G.S. § 1-52, which dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit in court.

Critical Time Limits

For most personal injury claims, the general rule in North Carolina is that you have three years from the injury date to file your lawsuit. Missing this deadline may have severe consequences. Typically, you lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries, regardless of your case’s merits.

Because gathering evidence, identifying all potentially liable parties, and negotiating with insurance companies might be lengthy processes, acting swiftly is paramount. When you partner with our skilled legal team early on, we can preserve critical evidence and interview witnesses while memories are fresh.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Raleigh?

We know the financial strain that often follows a car accident can be immense. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, your financial situation does not limit your access to experienced and effective legal representation.

Our Contingency Fee Structure

We handle Raleigh car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront legal fees, no hourly fees, and you don’t pay for our legal services at all unless we successfully secure compensation for you. Guaranteed.² This structure reduces your financial risk, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight to secure justice and fair compensation.

Benefits of Professional Legal Representation

Navigating the complications of a car accident in Raleigh can be incredibly complex and emotionally draining. Trying to handle a claim on your own against experienced adjusters and corporate legal teams may put you at a significant disadvantage, potentially jeopardizing the fair compensation you may be owed.

 

How Our Legal Team Can Help You

Our experienced Raleigh car accident team can be powerful advocates for you. We can take on your legal fight and greatly improve your chances of securing the compensation you need to heal and move forward. Our team offers:

Comprehensive Accident Investigation: We launch an investigation into your accident to collect available evidence, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, video surveillance, and expert opinions as needed, to build a clear case on your behalf.

Liability Determination: Our attorneys work to identify all potentially liable parties and gather necessary evidence to try to prove how their negligence directly caused your injuries, a critical step in North Carolina car accident claims.

Accurate Damage Valuation: We assess the full extent of the current and future losses you may have suffered, consulting with medical professionals and financial analysts as needed to develop a comprehensive valuation.

We also provide several additional services to support your case throughout the legal process, including:

• Insurance Communications: We handle the communication, negotiation, and paperwork on your behalf, helping protect your rights – You don’t want to inadvertently harm your claim!
• Litigation Preparation: While many car accident cases are resolved through skilled negotiation, we prepare every case as if it might go to trial.
• Deadline Management: We manage all necessary filings, paperwork, and procedural compliance with strict deadlines.
• Compassionate Guidance: Our team provides empathetic support, clear legal process explanations, and consistent communication throughout the entire legal process.

With car accident attorneys from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin by your side, you gain formidable advocates dedicated to protecting your rights and pursuing compensation that can help you heal and rebuild your life.