DUI Accident Lawyer Raleigh, NC

Trusted DUI accident lawyers with over 13 years of experience.

If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in Raleigh, our Raleigh, NC DUI accident lawyer can pursue the at-fault driver, identify every available insurance policy, and build a case that includes punitive damages where the conduct supports it. The Burton Law Firm has handled catastrophic injury and motor vehicle matters across Wake County for more than 13 years. We take every DUI accident case on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless we recover for you. Call today for a free case review.

DUI Accident Lawyer Raleigh, NC

A Raleigh DUI accident lawyer handles the civil side of a drunk driving wreck. The criminal case against the driver belongs to the prosecutor. The civil claim, which is what compensates the injured person, runs separately and depends on building a different kind of record. We collect the crash report, breath and blood test results, body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and any chemical analysis that supports the impairment evidence.

A DUI accident attorney in Raleigh, NC also looks at parties beyond the driver. Bars and restaurants that overserved an obviously intoxicated patron can face liability under North Carolina’s dram shop principles. Vehicle owners who knowingly allowed an impaired person to drive may also share responsibility. Identifying every defendant matters because it expands the available insurance coverage and the realistic value of the claim.

Types of DUI Accident Cases We Handle in Raleigh

Drunk driving wrecks come in many forms. Some involve a head-on impact at highway speed. Others happen in a parking lot. The legal theory and investigation can differ significantly depending on the facts. Below are the matters our firm sees most often.

  • Head-on collisions caused by impaired drivers. Wrong-way crashes on I-40, I-440, and Capital Boulevard often involve drivers who were over the legal limit. These cases tend to produce catastrophic injuries.
  • Rear-end DUI crashes. Impaired drivers frequently fail to slow for stopped traffic. We investigate the timeline and the chemical evidence to support both compensatory and punitive damages.
  • Pedestrian and bicycle DUI crashes. Drunk drivers cause a disproportionate share of fatal pedestrian wrecks. Cases involving pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents often turn on visibility, signal timing, and the driver’s impairment level.
  • Late-night and bar district crashes. Wrecks coming out of downtown Raleigh, Glenwood South, or West Street late at night may involve recently overserved drivers, which can open the door to liability beyond just the driver.
  • DUI rear-end and stopped-traffic wrecks. These often produce serious neck and back injuries that adjusters try to minimize.
  • Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accident cases involving impaired drivers frequently produce catastrophic injuries because riders have so little protection.
  • Truck accidents. Truck accident cases involving an impaired driver bring federal trucking regulations and employer liability into play.
  • Hit-and-run DUI cases. When the impaired driver flees the scene, recovery is often still possible through uninsured motorist coverage. We investigate every available policy.
  • Underage drinking and driving cases. Crashes involving an underage impaired driver may bring social host liability into the analysis, particularly when alcohol was provided at a private residence.
  • Wrongful death. Fatal drunk driving wrecks can support both wrongful death damages and punitive damages on behalf of the surviving family.

Why Choose The Burton Law Firm for DUI Accident Cases in Raleigh, NC?

Trial Experience and Insurance Background

Attorney Jason Burton is a fifth-generation trial lawyer with 13 years of experience handling motor vehicle, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death matters. He is licensed in North Carolina and Virginia. Mr. Burton graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude from Elon University School of Law and serves on its Advisory Board. He carries an Avvo rating of 10.0, has been named a Rising Star by North Carolina Super Lawyers, and was selected to the Top 10 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Mr. Burton’s father spent his career as an insurance defense attorney. That background gives our firm an inside view of how carriers reserve and ultimately pay severe injury claims, including those that involve punitive damages exposure.

Results on Serious Motor Vehicle Cases

Our Raleigh personal injury attorney has recovered millions of dollars for clients across motor vehicle, premises liability, and wrongful death matters. DUI cases often present unique opportunities to seek punitive damages on top of compensatory damages, and we build the file with that in mind from the start.

We work on contingency. No hourly billing, no retainer, no fee unless we recover money for you.

Understanding DUI Accident Cases in North Carolina

Damages, Liability, and Compensation

DUI accident claims in North Carolina can recover the same compensatory categories as any other motor vehicle case, plus an additional category that does not apply in most claims.

  • Past and future medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
  • Lost income and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional toll of the wreck
  • Property damage to your vehicle and personal items
  • Punitive damages, available where the defendant’s conduct involved willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others

Driving while impaired generally qualifies as the kind of conduct that supports a punitive damages claim. The presence of that exposure changes how insurance carriers evaluate the case.

North Carolina applies a strict contributory negligence rule. If the injured driver is found even one percent at fault, recovery can be barred. That makes early investigation, evidence preservation, and careful framing of the facts essential.

Important Aspects in Your DUI Accident Case

A few things tend to drive outcomes in Wake County DUI accident cases. The list below covers what we focus on early.

  • The criminal case timeline and what evidence becomes available through it
  • Chemical test results, including BAC and any drug screening
  • Witness statements from before, during, and after the wreck
  • Bar, restaurant, or social host records when third-party liability is in play
  • Identification of every available insurance policy, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

DUI Accident Case Timeline

Every case is different, but most Raleigh DUI accident matters move through a fairly predictable arc.

  • Initial investigation and evidence preservation in the first 30 days
  • Coordination with the criminal case and any related proceedings
  • Active medical treatment, often three to twelve months
  • Demand package preparation and submission to the insurer
  • Negotiation, including punitive damages exposure
  • Filing suit, discovery, and depositions if a fair settlement is not offered
  • Mediation, trial, or final resolution

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the crash. Wrongful death claims have their own two-year window. Missing those deadlines almost always ends the case.

What to Bring to Your DUI Accident Consultation

Bringing the right documents to your consultation can help our attorney guide you in the right direction.

  • The crash report or incident number from the responding agency
  • Photos of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries
  • Names and contact info for witnesses, if available
  • Your auto insurance declarations page and any health insurance information
  • Medical records, bills, and any out-of-pocket receipts so far

The consultation is free, and there is no pressure to sign anything that day. We walk through the facts, give an honest read on the case, and answer your questions in plain language.

North Carolina Legal Resources for DUI Accident Cases

For people who want to understand the rules and resources available, these are reliable starting points.

North Carolina applies a contributory negligence standard, meaning the rules around fault are stricter here than in most other states. Damages in a DUI accident case can include both economic and non-economic losses, plus punitive damages where the conduct supports them. Statutes of limitations generally run from the date of the crash, with limited exceptions.

Reach Out to The Burton Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If you or someone you love was hit by an impaired driver in Raleigh, our firm is ready to help. The consultation is free, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we recover for you. Contact us today to schedule a time to talk.

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