Raleigh Car Accident Attorneys

Serving Raleigh Car Accident Victims Since 1999

A serious car accident can upend every part of your life in an instant. If you were injured or if someone you love was killed in a collision, you may have options under North Carolina’s personal injury statutes. The legal options available after a crash depend on the facts of the collision, the injuries, and the available coverage. An early consultation can clarify which next steps apply to your situation.

At Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, our Raleigh car accident attorneys assist clients throughout Wake County who have suffered severe or life-changing injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Helping injured people since 1999, we have more than 50 years of combined experience, have handled more than 7,000 cases, and have recovered over $40 million in compensation for our clients. We handle a deliberately limited caseload to provide focused attention and direct communication throughout every stage of a client’s case. We assist clients in both English and Spanish.

Call (919) 891-8361 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation about your car accident claim. Hablamos español.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident, also known as a traffic collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, object, or obstacle. Severity can range from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions that cause serious injuries or fatalities. Common causes include human error, mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, and road hazards.

Here are some common types of car accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when one vehicle strikes the vehicle in front of it from behind. Rear-end collisions often happen due to tailgating, distracted driving, sudden braking, or poor visibility.
• Head-On Collisions: In head-on collisions, the front ends of two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions. These accidents typically result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high-impact forces involved.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: In T-bone collisions, the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These accidents often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way or runs a red light.
• Sideswipe Collisions: Sideswipe accidents happen when the sides of two vehicles make contact while traveling in the same direction. This can occur when a driver attempts to change lanes without checking blind spots or signaling properly.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents: These accidents involve only one vehicle and can occur due to factors such as driver error, speeding, distracted driving, tire blowouts, or loss of vehicle control.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Multi-vehicle accidents, also known as chain-reaction crashes or pileups, involve three or more vehicles colliding in quick succession. These accidents often occur on highways and freeways, especially during adverse weather conditions or low visibility.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. This type of accident is more common in vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as SUVs and trucks, and can result from sharp turns, collisions, or hitting obstacles.
• Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents: Car accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way, disobey traffic signals, or drive recklessly. Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable because they lack the physical protection that vehicle occupants have, and the injuries they sustain are often severe.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without providing necessary information or rendering aid. These situations may also involve separate uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage issues beyond a standard two-vehicle claim.

Determining Liability After a Car Accident in Raleigh

Liability is one of the most important issues in any car accident claim. Determining who was at fault and responsible for your injuries and damages can be challenging. Even when the cause seems obvious, multiple underlying factors may have contributed to the crash.

Investigating the Crash

At Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, we work with accident reconstruction professionals to investigate auto accidents, determine what happened, and identify the factors that led to the crash. Evidence we evaluate can include crash reports, photographs, vehicle damage, witness statements, traffic-camera footage, phone records, and medical records.

Some of the most common factors involved in motor vehicle accidents include:

• Distracted driving, including texting or using a cellphone while driving
• Traffic violations, including speeding, running red lights, and illegal turns
• General negligence and careless or reckless driving behaviors
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Dangerous or defective road conditions, such as potholes or missing road signs
• Auto defects, including tire blowouts, faulty brakes, and exploding airbags

Once we identify the cause or causes of the crash, we evaluate which parties may be liable for your accident-related damages.

North Carolina Contributory Negligence

North Carolina generally follows a contributory negligence rule, under which a claimant whose own negligence contributed to their injury may be barred from recovering damages entirely. An insurance adjuster may investigate negligence and fault after a crash, and disputes may require court resolution. We build each claim on available evidence and strategies drawn from years of personal injury experience. If a settlement can’t be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial in Wake County civil court to protect your interests.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Car Accident Case?

By filing a car accident claim, you can seek damages, or financial compensation, for your accident-related losses.

The exact types and amounts of damages you can recover depend on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The cost of medical care and future care needs
• Available insurance coverage, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
• Whether you suffered a physical or mental impairment
• Your other accident-related expenses
• Whether there was fraud, malice, or willful or wanton conduct

Car accident victims in North Carolina may seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, future care costs, lost wages, loss of earning ability, loss of future income, physical and mental pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Pain and suffering doesn’t have a fixed calculation under North Carolina statutes, so valuation depends on the facts and evidence of each claim.

We recommend that you reach out to our Raleigh car accident attorneys as soon as possible. During your consultation, we can discuss the factors in your case and explain how the available coverage, evidence, and losses may affect your claim.

Personal Attention for Serious Car Accident Claims

Getting back on your feet after a serious auto accident can be difficult, especially if you have suffered catastrophic injuries. When you work with us, you can focus on your physical recovery while we handle the legal work.

Support for Serious Injuries

Our trial attorneys have handled thousands of cases on behalf of severely injured clients. We have helped people with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic amputations, multiple fractures, severe soft tissue damage, and other debilitating injuries. In pursuing compensation, we consider not only your past and current losses but also your future medical, physical, emotional, and financial needs. We also represent families whose loved ones were wrongfully killed in fatal collisions.

Building Your Car Accident Case

We provide step-by-step guidance, frequent case updates, and direct access to our team throughout the process. After we are engaged, we can investigate the crash, gather and preserve evidence, build your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. We focus on your goals, whether that means financial recovery, accountability, or the stability to move forward. We are available 24/7 and prepared to take a case to trial when necessary to protect our clients’ interests.

We encourage you to act quickly. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52, North Carolina provides a three-year period to file a personal injury lawsuit, but deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and the specific circumstances involved. Early involvement gives our auto accident attorneys in Raleigh more time to investigate and preserve available evidence.

Discuss your case with attorneys who limit their caseload to provide focused attention. Call (919) 891-8361 or use our secure request form to schedule a complimentary case evaluation. You won’t owe legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.