Edwards Kirby, LLP Leaders in Trucking Accidents

With Over $500 Million Recovered, We Stand Strong to Protect the Rights of Families.

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“Legendary” USA Today

“Exceptionally Talented” NY Times

Truck Accident Lawyers in Raleigh, NC

Representing People Across North Carolina Since 1993

Proven Results in North Carolina Tractor-Trailer Accident Cases

Edwards Kirby is a nationally recognized law firm led by two of the nation’s most respected Civil Trial Attorneys – Former Senator John Edwards and Attorney David Kirby.

Backed by decades of experience, award-winning lawyers, and record-setting results, we know how to help victims and families fight for full financial compensation after they’ve suffered losses in preventable accidents – including wrecks involving commercial trucks and tractor-trailers, serious injuries, and wrongful death.

To discuss a potential truck accident case with an attorney, call (919) 335-7005 or contact us online. We offer FREE consultations and serve clients across North Carolina.

Examples of Our Truck Accident Results

$10.75M: Truck wreck resulting in deaths of two children and brain injury to a third
$9.45M: Tanker truck wreck
$6.5M: Minister and wife killed in trucking accident
$5.35M: Law enforcement officer killed in tractor-trailer crash
$4.6M: Death of 3-year-old, and injuries to mother and father, from tractor-trailer crash.
$3.75M: Man injured when struck by truck that ran a red light

To discuss your truck accident case with a competent and caring attorney, call (919) 335-7005. Your consultation is free and confidential.

Cases We Handle

Testimonials

“I will be forever grateful for all of the time & hard work Winston spent on this case with my best interest always in mind.” - V
“When I met them, I immediately knew they were the right people to represent us – that they truly cared.”
“Thank you for your work, your knowledge, and your professionalism!” - J. L.

More Testimonials

Case Results

$ 10,750,000 Truck wreck resulting in deaths of two children and a brain injury to a third.
$ 6,500,000 A minister and his wife killed in a trucking accident.
$ 5,350,000 Law enforcement officer killed in tractor-trailer wreck.
$ 4,600,000 A wrecker returning from a repossession strikes a woman, causing a brain injury.

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This is a rare and exclusive legal honor limited to the top 100 attorneys in the US, and we are proud to have John Edwards and David Kirby included.
Four Edwards Kirby Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America.
We are proud to be included in this prestigious list of law firms, selected for both quality of practice and extent of legal experience and skill.
This rating service honors attorneys who have achieved a high level of professional achievement and peer recognition. Selected attorneys are included in Super Lawyers® magazine’s list.
This highly prestigious honor is reserved for attorneys who are nominated by both clients and peers in a range of categories, including Quality of Service, Legal Experience, and more.
This prestigious organization aims to continuously build upon a foundation of legal ethics and high technical standards for civil trial attorneys. We are proud to have membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates.
This honor, awarded by Business North Carolina magazine, recognizes the state’s top business and employment lawyers, as selected by their peers in a statewide ballot.
Fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers is extended only to the top 1% of attorneys in a given state or providence. Our firm is proud to have members of this prestigious North American organization.
The International Society of Barristers aims to encourage fellowship, ethics, and advocacy excellence. We are proud to have attorneys who are Fellows of the Society, committed to the highest level of integrity and civility.
Attorney John Edwards has been included in this invitation only group of the premier trial lawyers in each state.
Attorneys Cate Edwards, Winston Kirby and Mary Kathryn Kurth were named "Top 40 Under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers.
Attorney Cate Edwards has been selected for this prestigious award after undergoing a stringent evaluation process based on peer recognition, past results, and reputation. Only the top 10% of attorneys in each state are selected to the final list.

Truck with Hood on the ground while truck driver inspects engine

Truck Accident Liability: Who’s Responsible?

Because commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are massive machines that pose risks to public safety, the trucking industry is subject to numerous regulations. Trucking operators and others involved in commercial trucking also have legal obligations to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of people on the road.

Despite these precautionary measures, not everyone complies with traffic laws, trucking regulations, or their duty of care – all of which can come with major consequences when they involve cargo carriers. Fortunately, victims injured by the negligent or wrongful acts of others, and families who lose loved ones in preventable crashes, have the right to seek compensation for their damages by holding at-fault parties financially responsible.

Determining who can be held liable for a semi-truck accident is a fact-specific matter that varies from case to case. Even if wrecks are caused by negligent truckers – which they often are – truck drivers may not be the only party to bear financial responsibility for damages. That’s because trucking operators are often responsible for their employees, and because they may have been negligent as well.

While investigations into fault and liability are crucial to trucking accident cases, there are a number of common causes, violations, and negligent acts attorneys look for to determine who can be held responsible. Examples include:

Truck drivers who were negligent when operating their vehicles.
Trucking companies that negligently hired unfit drivers, violated Hours-of-Service rules, or committed other regulatory violations.
Vehicle maintenance companies responsible for inadequate truck maintenance.
Third party companies or distributors that overloaded delivery trucks / big rigs, or loaded unsecured cargo.
Truck or auto part manufacturers that made defective products.

Because there may be multiple potentially liable parties – and because the stakes are often elevated when victims suffer serious injuries or wrongful death – truck accident claims can be complex. Our tractor-trailer accident attorneys have the experience and resources to help.

Semi Truck on wet road spraying up water

How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, like any state, there are time limitations placed upon civil claims (also known as “torts”).

Typically, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in North Carolina is 3 years from the date of the accident (N.C. Gen. Stat. section 1-52).

For wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations is generally 2 years from the date of a decedent’s death (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2).

While victims in most negligence cases have three years to file an injury suit, and two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it’s widely advised to seek legal help as soon as possible. That’s not only because victims are barred from recovering damages when the statute of limitations expires, but also because early action and investigation can make a difference in a case.

Additionally, some factors may alter the statute of limitations, giving victims less (or in some cases more) time to protect their rights. This includes claims involving public / government defendants, minor children of deceased parents, latent “discoveries,” and defective products that cause death, among others. Our attorneys can help you address any unique circumstances that may impact your case.

How Much is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

The value of any commercial vehicle or semi-truck accident is dependent on the unique facts of a case, including:

The extent of injuries, medical expenses, and other economic losses;
Victims’ non-economic damages, including pain and suffering;
Whether a crash resulted in wrongful death;
Liability and available insurance coverage

These and other factors can vary from case to case; some victims may incur only minimal medical bills, while others with serious injuries can quickly see medical costs stack up, especially when they require multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, or are left with permanent disabilities and the need for future medical care or assistance.

As trucking collisions often result in considerable damages for victims and their loved ones, trucking companies carry large commercial insurance policies to account for potential payouts (often $1 million or more). However, insurance coverage varies, and there may be more or less coverage from which victims can recover compensation. Additionally, there may be multiple policies and arrangements that affect how much insurance money is available.

Because insurance issues are complex and case-specific, the best way to assess your potential recovery is to speak personally with attorneys who are familiar with trucking operators, insurance carriers, and litigating truck accident cases. Without the insight of proven advocates, you may risk leaving much-needed money on the table.

Semi Trucks in front of and beside a sedan on the highway

What Damages Can I Recover?

Like many other aspects of a trucking claim, damages can vary. For many victims, crashes involving delivery trucks, box trucks, or 18-wheelers can have devastating consequences, and result in a lifetime of physical, financial, and emotional burdens.

Though cases are unique, victims of truck accidents generally have a right to recover:

Economic Damages, such as medical bills, lost income, and other expenses arising from an accident. This also includes any future medical expenses, lost future wages, and projected future costs victims and families are likely to incur after their case is resolved. Calculating future damages may require the use of experts (including doctors, financial experts, rehabilitation specialists, and occupational therapists) who can testify to what victims will face in their futures, and how much their needs will cost.
Non-Economic Damages, such as pain and suffering, lost quality or enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and other “intangible” damages victims suffer as a result of their accidents (both past and future). Surviving relatives of deceased or catastrophically injured victims may also recover compensation for their grief and emotional suffering. Though these types of injuries are difficult to equate into monetary sums, they are important to take into account, and should be clearly evaluated and presented when seeking compensation.

In some cases, there may also be potential for victims to recover punitive damages. A type of “exemplary” damage, punitive damages are not awarded in every case; victims may only recover punitive awards when the defendant’s conduct was so egregious it warrants further punishment, and the need to deter similar acts in the future.

Meet Our Exceptional Team

Learn More About Our Team

Edwards Kirby: Passionate Advocates, Proven Results

At Edwards Kirby, our team has become known for being talented trial lawyers who are passionate about guiding victims and families through complex and emotionally turbulent cases. If you have questions about our firm, your potential case, and how we can help, please contact us to request a free and confidential consultation.

Our attorneys serve truck accident victims throughout Raleigh and the state of North Carolina, and routinely counsel fellow lawyers with complex claims. Call today to speak with a member of our team.

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