Raleigh Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a large commercial truck may abruptly change your life. Whether it’s on the heavily trafficked I-40, the inner Beltline I-440, or major freight routes like US-70 near the airport, the immense size and weight of an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer often leads to catastrophic injuries or fatalities for those in smaller vehicles. If you, or a loved one, have been severely injured in such an incident, you’re likely grappling with intense pain, emotional trauma, overwhelming medical bills, and significant lost income.

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, our dedicated Raleigh truck accident lawyers understand the profound impact a commercial truck accident has on your life. We are committed to providing compassionate, knowledgeable, and determined representation for victims throughout the Raleigh area. We stand ready to confront powerful trucking companies and their insurers, fighting tirelessly for justice and all the compensation you may deserve.

You don’t have to face this complex legal battle alone. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Key Takeaways

• North Carolina follows a three-year statute of limitations for filing truck accident lawsuits from the date of injury occurrence.
• Truck accident cases involve complex federal regulations and multiple potentially liable parties including drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers.
• Evidence preservation is critical and trucking companies may deploy rapid response teams to secure accident scenes immediately after crashes.
• Common crash causes include driver fatigue, distracted driving, improper maintenance, and violations of Hours of Service regulations.
• Damages you may be owed include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages.

Why You Should Partner With the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin After a Truck Accident

When you are pitted against the formidable resources of large trucking corporations and potentially aggressive insurance providers, selecting the right law firm for you is crucial. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has built a formidable reputation over decades, fiercely fighting on behalf of accident victims for substantial recoveries.1

Our firm is well-positioned to manage the intricate complexities inherent in Raleigh truck accident cases. We operate with a powerful team comprising 60+ skilled attorneys and more than 200 dedicated staff members. We can dedicate significant resources to every case, facilitating a thorough investigation, the development of a robust legal strategy, and the ability to effectively challenge well-funded corporate legal teams. Our impressive track record includes these client wins:

• • We have recovered over $2 billion total for over 73,000 clients 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.*
  • We recovered over $240 million total for over 5,000 clients in 2024.¹
  • We were named to The News & Observer’s 2024 list of “Raleigh’s Best – Law,” a recognition which celebrates the businesses, people, and places that make the Raleigh community proud, as voted by locals.⁴

Many of our attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. Many also hold North Carolina State Bar Board Certification as Specialists in their fields, and we encourage our team to stay at the cutting edge of legal knowledge.

What Makes a Truck Accident Claim Different?

A commercial trucking accident claim is a complex legal action initiated by someone harmed in a collision involving a commercial truck. As compared to standard car accidents, these claims more often involve severe injuries, multiple potentially liable parties, and a dense web of federal and state regulations.

Our goal is to recover compensation for you for any damages caused by the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence. Proving such claims typically demands meticulous investigation into specific evidence like driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and black box data, as governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.

Unique Challenges of Truck Accident Cases

Trucking accident cases present specific complexities due to:

• Severe Injuries: The immense size of commercial trucks often leads to catastrophic injuries and higher damage claims.
• Multiple Potentially Liable Parties: Claims may involve the driver, trucking company, trailer owner, cargo loader, and maintenance providers.
• Extensive Regulations: Determining adherence to federal (FMCSA) and state laws generally mean an in-depth investigation of driver logs, maintenance, and training.
• Aggressive Defense: Trucking companies and their insurers often deploy rapid response teams to secure evidence quickly.

Common Types of Raleigh Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Raleigh may take various dangerous forms, including:

1. Rear-End Collisions: Often due to fatigued or distracted driving, or a truck’s long stopping distance
2. Jackknife Accidents: When a trailer swings out sharply, often from sudden braking or loss of control
3. Rollover Accidents: Caused by excessive speed, sharp turns, or improperly loaded cargo
4. Underride Accidents: When a smaller vehicle slides underneath the truck trailer, it might be catastrophic
5. Blind Spot Accidents (“No-Zone” Accidents): When trucks change lanes without seeing vehicles in their extensive blind spots
6. Tire Blowouts: Defective or poorly maintained tires may cause loss of control
7. Lost Loads/Spilled Cargo: Improperly secured freight may create road hazards

Do I Have a Viable Truck Crash Case?

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck in Raleigh due to someone else’s negligence, you might have grounds for a truck collision case. A viable case typically involves injuries and losses that were directly caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of the truck driver, the trucking company, or another responsible party.

Your claim might involve violations of strict trucking regulations, driver fatigue, improper vehicle maintenance, or other forms of negligence. Given the severe nature of truck accident injuries and the complexities of the trucking industry, working with a skilled legal team is advisable. Even if you are unsure about the specifics of what happened, contact an experienced Raleigh truck accident lawyer for a free case evaluation and to help clarify your rights and the strength of your potential claim.

Who May Be Held Legally Liable in a Raleigh Trucking Accident Claim?

Unlike typical car accidents, truck collisions often involve multiple entities that might share responsibility. This can include major and local carriers that operate extensively in and out of Raleigh, utilizing key hubs along I-40 or near RDU International Airport (such as companies like FedEx Freight, XPO Logistics, Old Dominion Freight Line, or others).

Our attorneys meticulously investigate the details for all potential sources of liability, including:

• The Truck Driver: For any direct negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence on Raleigh’s roads.
• The Trucking Company: The employer may be the primary target. They might be held liable for negligent hiring, failing to properly train or supervise drivers, pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service regulations, or failing to properly maintain their fleet.
• The Truck Owner: If separate from the trucking company, they might be liable for maintenance issues.
• The Trailer Owner: If the trailer is owned by a different entity, liability might arise from trailer defects or improper loading.
• The Cargo Loader: If the cargo was improperly loaded or unsecured (for example, by a warehouse or distribution center located in Raleigh’s industrial areas like the Brier Creek Business Park), leading to an accident.
• The Truck Manufacturer or Parts Manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a defective part (such as faulty brakes, tires, or steering) on a truck manufactured for use in commercial fleets.
• Third-Party Maintenance Providers: If an external company was responsible for maintaining the truck, and their negligence led to a mechanical failure.

Our Raleigh truck accident attorneys can conduct a swift and thorough investigation to seek out every potentially liable party and try to ensure all avenues for possible compensation are explored.

What Damages Am I Owed in a Truck Collision Lawsuit?

Injuries sustained in a semi-truck crash are often severe and life-altering, leading to substantial financial and emotional burdens. If you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence in a Raleigh semi crash, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation for various types of damages. These typically fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and, in rare instances, punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Quantifiable financial losses, provable with bills and records:

• Medical Expenses: You may be owed for all past and future costs, including emergency services, hospital stays, for example, at WakeMed or UNC Health Rex, surgeries, therapy, and long-term care.
• Lost Wages and Income: Current and future income loss due to inability to work
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If injuries cause a permanent reduction in your ability to earn money
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other damaged personal property
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Other direct costs like transportation to medical appointments or home modifications

Non-Economic Damages

Subjective, non-financial losses that may profoundly impact your quality of life, such as:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in hobbies or daily activities
• Disfigurement: Possible compensation for permanent scarring or physical alterations
• Loss of Consortium: For a spouse’s loss of companionship and support

Punitive Damages

Under North Carolina law, punitive damages can sometimes be awarded to punish egregious conduct and to deter future similar actions. 

Our Raleigh truck accident attorneys are highly experienced in thoroughly assessing all categories of damages, working with medical and financial experts as needed for a comprehensive valuation, and fighting for maximum compensation on your behalf.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Raleigh?

Time is a critical factor after a truck accident. In North Carolina, personal injury claims, including those from truck collisions, are subject to a strict legal deadline known as the “statute of limitations.” Generally, you have three years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in a North Carolina civil court.

Missing this deadline may have severe consequences, often meaning you permanently lose your right to seek compensation. Because truck accident cases typically involve complex investigations, gathering extensive evidence, and navigating numerous regulations, acting swiftly is paramount.

Early legal intervention allows for us to preserve critical evidence, interview any witnesses promptly, and help make sure all necessary paperwork is filed within strict legal timeframes. As a result, an experienced attorney can significantly enhance your chances for a successful outcome.

How Much Does a Trucking Accident Attorney in Raleigh Cost? 

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we firmly believe that access to experienced and effective legal representation should not be limited by your current financial situation, especially when you are suffering due to someone else’s negligence. That’s why we handle Raleigh trucking accident cases on a contingency fee basis.2

This means you pay us no upfront legal fees, and you don’t receive a bill for our attorney services unless we successfully secure compensation for you.² Our contingency fee structure reduces your financial risk, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we fight to secure justice and all the compensation you may deserve.

Don’t Try to Resolve Your Claim Alone. Let the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin Help

Navigating the aftermath of a truck accident in Raleigh is usually incredibly complex and emotionally draining. You’re likely facing severe injuries, immense emotional distress, and significant financial uncertainty, all while trying to understand complicated legal procedures and dealing with insurance companies and large trucking corporations protecting their own interests.

Trying to handle your claim alone against experienced adjusters and corporate legal teams may put you at a severe disadvantage, potentially jeopardizing compensation that may rightfully be yours.

An experienced Raleigh truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin can be your powerful advocate, take on the burden of your legal fight, and can greatly improve your chances of securing the compensation you need to heal and move forward. Here’s how our dedicated legal team can assist you:

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

• Rapid Response and Evidence Preservation: Trucking companies generally act fast to secure evidence. Our firm can also quickly dispatch investigators to the scene to preserve critical evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, and dashcam footage, before it can be lost.
• Thorough Investigation and Reconstruction: We conduct comprehensive investigations, gathering police reports, interviewing any witnesses, reviewing any traffic camera footage, and when appropriate, engaging accident reconstructionists to help determine fault.

Case Development and Strategy

• Identifying All Liable Parties: We meticulously seek out every potentially liable party, from the driver to the trucking company, cargo loader, or maintenance provider, exploring all avenues for possible compensation on your behalf.
• Navigating Complex Regulations: Our attorneys are well-versed in federal (FMCSA) and state trucking regulations and can investigate any violations that contributed to your accident to try to strengthen your case.

Financial Recovery Efforts

• Accurately Valuing Your Damages: We work with medical and financial experts as needed to meticulously assess all your possible losses, economic (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic (pain and suffering, emotional distress), conducting a comprehensive valuation.
• Aggressive Negotiation With Insurance Companies: Dealing with large commercial trucking insurers might be intimidating. We manage all communications and negotiations, helping counter any aggressive tactics and lowball offers, leveraging our firm’s track record and experience, and fighting for a maximum settlement on your behalf.
• Litigation Readiness: While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, our dedicated litigators are fully prepared to take your case to court if needed, presenting a powerful argument to fight for justice for you.

Support and Guidance

• Providing Compassionate Guidance: We understand this is a difficult time. Our team provides empathetic support, clear explanations of the legal process, and consistent communication, keeping you informed and alleviating stress so you may focus on healing.

With an attorney from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin by your side, you gain a formidable advocate dedicated to protecting your rights, alleviating your burden, and tirelessly pursuing the compensation you need to heal and rebuild your life after a truck accident in Raleigh.

FAQ for Raleigh Truck Accident Lawyer

What evidence is most critical in a truck accident case?

Essential evidence can include the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, driver qualification files, vehicle maintenance records, Hours of Service logs, and dashcam footage. Witness statements and police reports can also play crucial roles in establishing fault and documenting the accident scene.

How do federal trucking regulations affect my case?

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations govern driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and Hours of Service requirements. Violations of these regulations may serve as evidence of negligence and strengthen your claim against the trucking company or driver.

What makes truck accident cases more complex than car accidents?

Truck accidents involve specific federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, commercial insurance policies with higher limits, and typically more severe injuries. The size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles often results in catastrophic damage demanding extensive investigation and an experienced advocate who’s protecting your best interests.

How long do truck accident cases typically take to resolve?

Case duration varies based on injury severity, complexity of liability, and willingness of parties to negotiate. Simple cases might resolve in several months, while complex cases involving multiple parties or severe injuries may take years.

What if the trucking company claims their driver was an independent contractor?

Even if the driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company might still bear liability depending on their level of control over operations, hiring practices, and whether they provided equipment or dispatched loads. Multiple parties might share responsibility for the harm you’ve suffered.

Contact Our Trusted Truck Accident Attorneys Today

A devastating truck accident may profoundly impact every aspect of your life, leaving you with lasting pain, financial strain, and an uncertain future. You don’t have to face the complexities of the legal system or confront the formidable resources of large trucking corporations on your own.

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is committed to serving the injured in Raleigh and across North Carolina. Our goal is to help you secure the financial recovery necessary for your healing and to help you move forward with your life.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, reach out for a free and confidential case evaluation. Contact our dedicated team by calling 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online to learn how we can help you. Tell them you mean business.

*In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin led a team of firms to recover $1.25 billion from the U.S. government for discrimination against African-American farmers.1