Experienced Rocky Mount Car Accident Lawyers
Our Rocky Mount Car Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help
Rocky Mount presents unique challenges for drivers. Busy intersections, high-speed traffic on I-95 and US-64, and the increasing number of distracted and impaired drivers create dangerous conditions that lead to serious collisions. In the aftermath of a serious crash in Rocky Mount, you may be struggling to pay medical bills, manage time away from work, or adjust to a long-term injury. Whether you’re recovering from a minor injury or facing life-altering consequences, you don’t have to go through it alone.
With decades of experience handling personal injury claims across North Carolina, our team offers compassionate support and aggressive legal advocacy to help accident victims move forward. Let our team handle the legal burdens, fight for your right to fair compensation, and guide you every step of the way. Contact us to speak with a car accident lawyer in Rocky Mount at Henson Fuerst today.
Types of Compensation Available in Rocky Mount Car Accident Claims
In North Carolina, auto accident victims can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible losses such as:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, physical therapy, ongoing care, medications, and medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to time away from work and potential future earnings if you are unable to return to your job or must take a lower-paying position due to your injuries.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal belongings damaged in the crash.
Non-economic damages include compensation for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries, including:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and reduced enjoyment of life.
- Loss of Consortium: Impact on your relationship with a spouse or family members.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Damages related to long-term impairments or scarring.
In certain extreme cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault driver for particularly reckless or intentional behavior, such as drunk driving or racing.
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Results
Results
$9.5 Million
Truck Accident
$7.5 Million
Truck Accident
$3 Million
Car Accident
GET COMPENSATED FOR YOUR INJURIES
How to Prove Liability in a North Carolina Car Accident Claim
North Carolina law requires that the injured party prove the other party was 100% at fault for the car wreck to recover compensation. This can be a significant legal challenge, especially under the state’s contributory negligence rules. To establish liability, your attorney must:
- Demonstrate Negligence: Show that the other driver breached a legal duty to drive safely (e.g., by speeding, texting, running a red light, or driving impaired).
- Establish Causation: Link that breach of duty directly to the accident and the injuries sustained.
- Provide Evidence: Secure documentation such as police reports, crash scene photos, surveillance or dash cam footage, and eyewitness statements.
- Use Expert Testimony: Engage accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economic experts to strengthen your claim and rebut any arguments against your position.
Without strong legal representation, even minor gaps in your case can be exploited by insurers to reduce or deny your claim.
"My husband was in an auto accident with life threatening injuries. I called Henson Fuerst Attorneys for assistance in my husband's case. Mr. Mason and Ms. McPhatter handled all our legal needs while my husband went through extensive medical recovery and helped take stress off of us so we could focus on my husband's care. They were very attentive to our case and us personally. My husband and I are very happy with their professional services and care. I highly recommend Henson Fuerst to anyone who requires assistance with an injury case. Thank you so much for all your efforts in our case."
Cheryl S.
Car Accident
How North Carolina's Contributory Negligence Law Can Impact Your Case
North Carolina’s pure contributory negligence doctrine is one of the most unfavorable legal standards for plaintiffs in the country. Under this rule, if the injured person is found to be even 1% at fault, they are completely barred from recovering compensation. This makes defending against allegations of partial fault critical.
Common defense tactics include:
- Blaming the injured party for speeding, improper lane changes, or distracted driving.
- Arguing the victim failed to wear a seatbelt or did not take reasonable steps to avoid the crash.
- Suggesting shared fault for multi-vehicle accidents or poor weather conditions.
Henson Fuerst has extensive experience navigating this strict legal landscape. Our attorneys work proactively to collect clear, compelling evidence to refute any claims that our clients share fault and to preserve their right to full compensation.
Rocky Mount, NC Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents remain a serious problem in Rocky Mount. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there were over 1,500 motor vehicle crashes in the city in 2023. These collisions resulted in hundreds of injuries, including severe trauma requiring hospitalization, as well as several fatalities. Among these accidents, we've seen a trend that reflects a growing number of crashes involving distracted or impaired drivers, as well as an increase in pedestrian-involved accidents.
These numbers show that car accidents are not just statistical events—they have real and devastating effects on local families. Knowing the risks and patterns specific to Rocky Mount allows Henson Fuerst to investigate claims more effectively and advocate for safer roads in our community.
Crash Analysis Reveals a Portion of I-95 in Rocky Mount is Among the Most Deadly Stretches of Highway in NC
A particularly dangerous stretch of Interstate 95 near Rocky Mount has been highlighted as one of the seven deadliest road segments in North Carolina. Data compiled over 10 years revealed that this corridor experiences an unusually high rate of fatal collisions, likely due to heavy freight traffic, high speeds, and limited visibility or merging options at certain exits.
If your accident occurred on I-95 or another high-risk road in Rocky Mount, it is essential to retain legal counsel familiar with local traffic patterns and enforcement practices.
Our Rocky Mount Car Accident Lawyers fight to get you the maximum compensation necessary for your recovery.
$3.25M Settlement
A commercial truck driver ignored DOT caution signs regarding a previous crash. The tractor-trailer crashed into our client, who was the last car in the line of traffic. The plaintiff was taken to the hospital and discharged with post-traumatic headache. Months later, our client was diagnosed with many more injuries that resulted from the accident and was unable to return to competitive employment. The settlement was collected in full.
Common Types of Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Common types include:
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
Often resulting from rear-end collisions, can cause lasting neck and shoulder pain.
Bone Fractures
Common in high-impact crashes and often require surgery or long-term immobilization.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Can lead to partial or complete paralysis; require lifelong medical care and adaptive devices.
Internal Injuries
Including organ damage and internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent.
Emotional Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are common after serious crashes.
Proper medical evaluation is critical, even if symptoms seem minor. Many serious injuries don’t show immediate symptoms but can worsen if untreated.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Rocky Mount
Knowing what steps to take immediately after a car accident in NC can make a significant difference in your ability to protect both your health and your legal rights. The aftermath of a crash is often chaotic, but following a clear process can help preserve critical evidence and set the foundation for a successful claim.
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Step 1
Call 911 Immediately
Your priority is safety. Contact emergency services to report the accident. Police will document the scene and create an official crash report, which can be vital evidence in your case. If anyone is injured, medical responders will provide immediate care.
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Step 2
Document the Scene Thoroughly
Use your phone to take photographs and video of all relevant aspects of the crash site, including vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs or signals, weather conditions, road hazards, and any visible injuries. These images can later help establish fault and prove the severity of the accident.
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Step 3
Exchange Information with All Drivers Involved
Collect names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details from every party involved in the accident. Stay calm and courteous, but do not admit fault or discuss the specifics of the crash beyond what is required.
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Step 4
Identify and Speak with Witnesses
If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their contact information and a brief statement of what they observed. Independent witness accounts can play a crucial role in corroborating your version of events and disproving conflicting claims.
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Step 5
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, it's recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries—such as concussions, soft tissue damage, or internal bleeding—may not show symptoms right away. Timely medical documentation also links your injuries to the accident, which strengthens your claim.
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Step 6
Notify Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurer that an accident occurred, but avoid making detailed statements or accepting fault. Insurance adjusters may look for reasons to minimize your payout. Before providing recorded statements, it’s wise to speak with an attorney.
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Step 7
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer at Henson Fuerst
The earlier you reach out to our team, the more we can do to help. We can launch an immediate investigation, preserve evidence, prevent costly mistakes, and start building your case before critical deadlines pass. Early legal intervention is crucial in North Carolina due to the state's strict contributory negligence laws.
Taking these steps shows insurers that you are serious about your case and committed to protecting your rights. Let Henson Fuerst guide you from the very beginning so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal challenges ahead.
Car and Truck Accident News
Our North Carolina car accident lawyers strive to keep our community educated and informed about the latest trends and events regarding driving safety and accident prevention. Browse our most recent blog posts here:
Frequently Asked Questions
In North Carolina, most punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $250,000 whichever is greater.
The time it takes to resolve a case depends on many factors. The most important is what happened in the wreck and what were the resulting injuries. For example, cases involving soft tissue injuries that get better with treatment from an orthopedic or chiropractic doctor and physical therapy can typically be negotiated and settled without filing a lawsuit and generally last six to nine months. Cases that involve more substantial injuries, such as broken bones or surgical procedures, typically last nine to 15 months. Finally, cases that involve more substantial and permanent, life-long injuries can last one to three years, depending on the circumstances. If we file a lawsuit instead of settling out of court, it may take an additional 16 to 24 months or longer before the case is resolved.
The answer depends on whether you feel that the amount of money offered by the insurance company is enough to avoid the hassle of going forward with litigation. Many people ask friends or family members who have had car wrecks how much they settled their cases for. In our experience, this can be misleading because no two cases are the same. At Henson Fuerst, when we have a “final” offer from the insurance company, we meet with you and explain all of your legal options. Typically, that means you can accept the final offer or reject the offer and file a lawsuit. It’s our job to explain the risks and benefits of each option so you can make the decision that best fits your personal situation.
Generally, before we file a lawsuit on your behalf, our North Carolina auto accident attorneys will attempt to negotiate with the insurance company to reach a settlement. In the majority of cases we handle, we do not begin negotiating your case until you have healed. This way, we are aware of all the damages and losses related to your injuries and how those damages will affect your quality of life.
Our North Carolina auto accident lawyers recommend that you seek the help of a lawyer if:
- Your claim involves large injuries
- you had (or continue to have) substantial medical treatment (treatment that extends beyond more than a few visits to a doctor)
- You have suffered permanent injury that resulted in scarring, the need for surgery, or a permanent disability
There is no limit to how much compensation you can seek in a car accident lawsuit. The compensation sought is based on what injuries were sustained and their severity. This could be anywhere between thousands of dollars and millions.
The statute of limitations to file an injury claim in North Carolina is three years from the date of the accident. However, for your best chance at maximum compensation, you must speak with a reputable car accident lawyer and file a claim as soon as possible.
North Carolina is one of four states who follow the contributory negligence rule, which prohibits a plaintiff from collecting damages if they were found to be as little as 1% at fault.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Hiring a knowledgeable car accident lawyer can make a crucial difference in your case. Henson Fuerst attorneys offer comprehensive legal support that includes:
- Conducting a full investigation of the crash, including scene visits and accident reconstruction if needed.
- Handling all communication with insurance companies to avoid tactics designed to reduce your payout.
- Coordinating with your medical providers to understand and document the full extent of your injuries.
- Working with economic and vocational experts to calculate long-term financial losses.
- Managing paperwork, court filings, and deadlines so your claim stays on track.
- Representing you at every stage—from negotiations to litigation, if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Our Rocky Mount personal injury attorney are well-versed in the nuances of car accident claims and will focus on the legal details so you can focus on your recovery.
Why Hire Henson Fuerst for Your Rocky Mount Car Accident Claim
Choosing the right legal team matters. Here’s what sets our law firm apart:
- Deep Roots in North Carolina: Founded in NC in 1976, our accident lawyers know the laws, courts, and local traffic issues affecting Rocky Mount and surrounding communities.
- Proven Results: We’ve helped thousands of North Carolinians recover millions in compensation for personal injuries.
- Client-First Approach: You’ll receive personalized attention, regular updates, and access to your attorney throughout the process.
- Resources to Win: We possess the staff, technology, and financial resources to take on major insurers and prevail in complex cases.
- Contingency-Based Representation: You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Our mission is straightforward: to advocate for justice and support you in rebuilding your life after an accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Your recovery starts with a single call. At Henson Fuerst, our Rocky Mount car accident lawyers offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your legal rights and explore your options after a car accident. When you contact our Rocky Mount office, our team will review the details of your case, answer your questions, and explain how we can help at no cost to you. If you choose to move forward with us for your injury claim, you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf.