Durham Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney in Durham, NC

Durham, North Carolina, is famous for its key role in the Research Triangle, vibrant culture, and rich history. If you live in the Bull City, you probably enjoy our diverse culinary landscape, too. However, accidents can happen basically anywhere, instantly. If you were hurt in an accident, contact an experienced Durham personal injury lawyer.

Why Choose Us When You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

I am Jacob Goad, and you can rely on me to stand up for your rights, explain the process coherently and recover the appropriate compensation for your damages. I care about helping you for the long term. I speak fluent Spanish, and I can assist you if you are a Spanish speaker who speaks English as a second language.

What Kinds of Personal Injury Claims Can a Lawyer Help With?

In 2023, 2.44 million people were hurt in car accidents across the U.S., a 2.5% increase from 2022. Car accident payouts increase each year. In North Carolina, accidents rank as the third-highest cause of death.

Many locals need strong representation after an accident. My office can provide support with the following:

• Motor vehicle crashes
• Catastrophic injury accidents
• Truck collisions
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle wrecks
• Boating incidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Rental car crashes
• Rideshare collisions
• E-scooter accidents
• Workers’ compensation claims
• Wrongful death claims
• Traumatic brain injuries

As your Durham personal injury attorney, I can pursue your goals for your accident recovery. I don’t rest until I get you the justice you need to move forward after a personal injury accident. I have a deep understanding of North Carolina personal injury law and a successful record in personal injury cases.

How Does an Attorney Help With a Personal Injury Claim?

No one believes that a severe injury could become a part of their life. If it has happened to you, though, you know how much time, money, effort and pain an injury consumes. You deserve to have an attorney on your side during this complicated situation who can serve as your guide.

An attorney can:

• Protect your rights. Many insurance companies try to offer lowball settlements, hoping you aren’t working with an attorney who can tell you it’s not enough. When you hire a lawyer, they can provide reliable advice and fight for what’s fair. An attorney can prevent you from taking a settlement that won’t cover your losses. They can negotiate on your behalf and communicate with insurance companies.
• Increase your compensation. Your lawyer can pursue every available avenue for recovery under the state’s personal injury laws. They can handle a complicated injury claim; once they’ve calculated the total damages possible for your accident, an attorney can usually increase their value. People working with legal representation typically obtain significantly more money for their accidents than those working without a lawyer.
• Reduce your stress. An attorney can complete a thorough investigation into your accident and prove legal fault. When you connect with the Law Office of Jacob Goad, I have the resources and experience to build a solid liability case. Also, I know how to move your claim along efficiently. When you hire us, we can work diligently to prevent any costly and avoidable errors. We can handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on getting better.

The legal representation you choose matters. Hire an attorney for essentially any personal injury case, especially those involving serious injuries, complicated liability, or insurance companies unwilling to cooperate.

At the Law Office of Jacob Goad, you can count on my team to safeguard your rights after an accident. We work hard to hold negligent or reckless people accountable. Since every case is unique, we can help you receive what you need for your personal injury in Durham.

What Should You Do if You’ve Experienced a Personal Injury?

In the moments after experiencing a personal injury, you are likely to be overwhelmed or disoriented. You should always prioritize your own safety first, but there are also some steps you can take that could help you should you need to file a personal injury claim. These steps include:

• Call for assistance. Depending on the incident, you should call emergency services to request help. Police officers or paramedics can help you file a police report or treat your injuries.
• Document the accident. Regardless of the type of accident, you should document the scene. Take photos of the damage done to your personal property and of the injuries you’ve sustained. If someone else was involved, collect their information.
• Contact your insurance. Your insurance policies offer many protections when you are in an accident. Your car insurance can help if you’ve been struck by a car, even if you were walking or biking. Homeowner’s insurance can help with damaged personal property.
• Seek medical care. Even if you feel fine, you should see a medical professional to rule out any serious concerns or to treat any injuries you have sustained. Keep any documents you receive from the doctor, as well as copies of any medical expenses.
• Contact a Durham personal injury attorney. An attorney knows what you are entitled to after an accident and can help you avoid accusations of contributing to the accident.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process Like?

After you have received medical treatment, you have the option of pursuing a personal injury claim. This means that your attorney provides formal demands to the insurance company of the person or company at fault for your accident. Your lawyer will estimates the value of your damages – for example, lost wages, medical bills, loss of earning potential, and automotive repairs.

The insurance company typically offers a settlement of a lump sum. If the offer is fair, you can accept it. If not, your attorney can negotiate for a better settlement. In some instances, it is necessary to file a claim in court to make the insurer pay the full amount that you need.

What Does an Injury Claim Cover?

It is very important that your settlement or award covers all your damages. In the legal world, damages refer to monetary compensation for another party’s breach of your rights. Some common examples of damages in injury claims include:

• Hospital bills
• Ambulance trips
• Car repairs
• Other property damage
• Physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Doctor appointments
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Burial and funeral costs in fatal accidents

Everyone’s accident is different. The value of a claim involving permanent damage from a head injury or paralysis, for example, is usually higher than other claims. Your damages might be much greater or lower than another person’s damages. To have a better idea of your damages and what your claim might be worth, you should sit down with me for an in-depth conversation. We can discuss your accident-related expenses and how to increase your recovery.

What Don’t Insurance Companies Want You To Know?

Insurance providers usually try to deny perfectly valid claims. If they can’t find a reason to deny it, they could offer you a much lower settlement than you need and might even try to defer paying it. Their adjusters often make lowball offers and use deceptive tactics to try to get you to accept them. They have fleets of powerful attorneys on their side to do everything in their power to avoid paying claims.

I have seen this firsthand when representing my clients. The simplest way to recover the full compensation that you deserve is to have your own lawyer. I understand the legal jargon that insurers use, so I know whether they are trying to take advantage of you.

With the Law Office of Jacob Goad on your side, you can pursue a fair offer. You’ll have the tools to assert your rights after an accident, as well as an ally against the insurance companies when you are navigating a personal injury claim.

FAQs

How Much Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in North Carolina?

The cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina is based on the unique circumstances of your case. Personal injury lawyers charge based on a contingency fee. This fee is a percentage of any damages you are awarded. The percentage varies with the complexity of your case and if the case goes to trial. If you are not awarded any damages, you do not have to pay anything.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

The hardest injuries to prove are those that are not easily demonstrable through standard lab tests or imaging. Insurance companies and the courts often rely on lab test results and images, such as X-rays and other imaging, to demonstrate injuries. Injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain conditions do not easily show on standard tests. Mental health conditions are also difficult to demonstrate for similar reasons.

What Not to Say to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You should be honest with your personal injury lawyer about the circumstances of your accident, but there are some things you should avoid saying. Never admit fault for the accident. Even simple statements like “I’m sorry” can be seen as an admission of fault. You should also avoid exaggerating or dismissing your injuries. Answer questions factually, but don’t elaborate or offer speculations.

How Long Do Most Personal Injury Cases Take to Settle?

The time it takes to settle a personal injury case can vary with the type of injury sustained and the circumstances of the accident. Simple cases are often settled within a few months, while more complex cases can take years to settle. Cases with liability disputes often take longer than cases where liability is easily determined.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Durham at the Law Office of Jacob Goad

Whether you live in Bull Durham or Braggtown, when you’re ready, reach out to the Law Office of Jacob Goad to discuss how I can help you. Right in the heart of Downtown Durham, my team is ready to take your call. We can confidentially discuss your specific injury and the legal services we provide. Contact the Law Office of Jacob Goad to schedule your consultation.