Bike Accident Injury Attorneys in Raleigh, NC

I braved the lines at DMV this week, and I’m here to tell you how to get your NC driver’s license renewed — or get a REAL ID — if you don’t have an appointment.

I let my renewal slip up on me (I mistakenly thought I could renew online this time), so with the deadline creeping up, and no appointments to be found through the DMV site, I decided to try my luck as a walk-in.

I read everything I could find online about what to take with me (in case I could get a REAL ID while renewing) and when to show up. I asked friends and family about the best DMV offices to try (Spring Forest in Raleigh, they all said) and when to show up (“after lunch” — whenever that is). I thought I knew exactly what to do.

I didn’t.

I got to the NC Department of Motor Vehicles office at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Spring Forest Road on Monday, April 14, around 11:30 a.m., thinking I was getting there “before lunch.” Wrong.

There was already a line, but it wasn’t awful, so I got in it. I stood there for several minutes before a very kind woman who had been through the process before, told many of us that we were doing it wrong. Without her help, so many of us that day would have been out of luck.

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April 2, 2025 1:17 PM

So here’s what I suggest, based on my experience.

1. I heard the Spring Forest location was a good one and that Avent Ferry was a “nightmare,” but I’m guessing they are mostly the same. Still, I went to Spring Forest. (It’s behind the Goodberry’s, so treat yourself when you’re done.)

2. DMV lunch, I learned from others in line, is from 11 a.m. to noon, so if you want to get a good spot in line, go between 11 a.m. and noon. Or really just go before noon, because the line itself is meaningless. More on that in a bit. But I showed up at 11:30 a.m.

3. As soon as you get there, before you get in line, go to the front door of the DMV office and scan the QR code on the giant sign. It’ll give you a link to tap and that opens a text box with the sendee and message filled in. Don’t send it!

4. Huddle with the masses, never taking your eyes off your phone, and as soon as it’s 12 noon, hit send. Send immediately at noon! I can’t stress the importance of this enough. This is what actually reserves your spot in line. Tip: If you arrive more than a minute or two after noon, forget it — you’re likely not getting in.

5. A minute or so after sending, you’ll get a text from DMV asking you to select which service you’re there for: First time license, ID card, Renewal, Duplicate (REAL ID) or Other. Also do this as quickly as you can. I selected Renewal because that was my main goal and most others seemed to be there for REAL ID.

6. A minute later I got another text telling me my “ticket number,” which was based on the option I picked. I was E450. The message also told me that the lobby was full, so I should wait in my car until further instructions. Like a dummy, I still stood in line for two hours until my back started hurting, and then I went to my car. My tip: Go to your car immediately. Hit up Snoopy’s or Goodberry’s for a snack. Do whatever. Standing in the line doesn’t help. (Just don’t go too far!)

7. About a half hour after getting my ticket number, I got another text, but this one just told me that DMV was sorry for my wait. This was around 12:30. It told me if I wanted to leave, reply with “Leave.” Nope, not leaving.

8. At 1:30 p.m. I bailed the line and went to sit in my car. I charged my phone, ate a snack, turned on the A/C.

9. At 3 p.m. I got a text telling me to proceed to the lobby and wait for my ticket to be called.

10. At 3:30, my number was called and I got an agent. I told her I was there for renewal but I also had all my stuff with me to get the REAL ID, if that was possible. She was very nice and processed my REAL ID. I took my certified birth certificate and my original Social Security Card (both antiques), as well as my car registration for proof of insurance and some other documents showing my address. She only really needed the birth certificate (along with my still-valid driver’s license). It cost $52.63 and I paid with a debit card.

11. By 4 p.m., I was on my way home with a print out of a temporary REAL ID card, until mine arrives in the mail.

I can’t guarantee this will get you a REAL ID or renewed license as a walk-in — or even that this is the process at every single DMV office in the state — but based on my experience, these are the best tips I can offer. Just be prepared to wait, be patient and be kind to the workers.

Raleigh, NC (April 16, 2025) – First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in a crash that occurred midday Wednesday in northeast Raleigh. The incident was reported at approximately 12:48 p.m. along the 7400 block of Louisburg Rd, a busy corridor in the city’s growing northeastern region.

Raleigh Fire and Rescue personnel arrived quickly at the scene to assist those injured in the collision. While full details regarding the number of vehicles involved were not immediately released, the accident was classified as a motor vehicle collision resulting in injuries.

Emergency crews temporarily blocked parts of the roadway to treat the injured and manage the scene. Authorities have not yet disclosed the extent of the injuries sustained or the potential causes of the crash. An investigation remains ongoing to determine the events that led up to the incident.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this crash.

Injury Crashes on Suburban Routes in North Carolina

Louisburg Rd, also known as U.S. Route 401, serves as a major commuter and commercial route for northeast Raleigh, and it has increasingly become the site of traffic incidents due to expanding suburban development and high-speed travel. As residential areas stretch outward from the city center, more drivers rely on roads like Louisburg Rd for daily travel, raising the potential for mid-day collisions such as the one reported today.

North Carolina’s Department of Transportation highlights that many of the state's suburban corridors have seen a rise in both traffic volume and crash frequency in recent years. In Wake County alone, thousands of injury crashes are reported annually—many along highways that double as local thoroughfares. Louisburg Rd exemplifies this dual function, supporting local drivers while also serving as a connector to rural and downtown areas.

Crashes on high-speed roadways like U.S. 401 are often attributed to distracted driving, aggressive lane changes, or failure to maintain safe following distances. Unlike urban intersections, these routes leave less room for error, especially when vehicles are traveling at 45 mph or more. Additionally, entry and exit points along such roads can introduce unexpected hazards when not clearly marked or sufficiently spaced.

As investigations continue into today’s crash, motorists throughout the area are urged to exercise caution when traveling along busy corridors. Defensive driving, reducing speed during non-peak hours, and remaining alert to merging traffic can all play a role in preventing injury-related accidents in the future.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- There's only a few more months left of construction for the new Innovation District in North Hills. Small business owners say they feel supported in this kind of space.

Only homegrown merchants are allowed to set up shop and there's a focus on preserving nature.

Emily Coules was the first tenant to sign.

"I think as a female entrepreneur, it's even more special to me," she said.

Her studio offers hot yoga, a sauna, Vitamin C shower, a cold plunge and staff are on hand to whip up smoothies.

"We are here to just make an impact on the city and, and and we're all very passionate about what we're doing and to serve the community," said Coules.

The Innovation District is located along St. Albans Drive.

Standard Beer and Food, as well as Benchwarmers, are some of the restaurants soon moving in.

"This whole area is meant to be extremely family friendly," said Kane Realty Managing Director of Operations Stacey Buescher.

Kane is also building trails and will be connecting the district to the Raleigh Greenway.

"Big Ranch Creek runs right through the middle of this site," said Buescher. "Another thing that's very unique to this site is all of these businesses are interior. No car is going to be driving to the front of this. You park your car around the perimeter and then you come in and explore."

Will Lin recently celebrated his one year anniversary of opening the Green Rabbit.

He says there's been ups and downs with the ongoing construction, but he's invested in the concept.

"We're getting closer to the finish line," said Lin. "This is truly a piece of Raleigh. There's tons of other shopping districts that offer, you know, maybe some of your larger retailers. But this really gives you a slice of what Raleigh has to offer from from the locals that live there."

The entire project should be done this upcoming fall.

SEE ALSO | Shops in North Hills' new Main District starting to open

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Raleigh, NC (April 16, 2025) – Emergency responders were quick to the scene, providing care to the injured victims following a motor vehicle collision that occurred Tuesday afternoon in eastern Raleigh. The crash was reported at approximately 4:09 p.m. at the intersection of N New Hope Rd and Tamarack Grove Ln.

Initial dispatch reports indicated that the crash involved multiple vehicles and resulted in injuries to those involved. Responders from Raleigh Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after the incident was reported and began immediate medical assistance to individuals at the scene.

The intersection was temporarily impacted as crews worked to treat those hurt and clear the crash debris. Authorities have not released specific details regarding the number of vehicles or the severity of injuries involved. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision remain under active investigation at this time.

Our thoughts are with those affected by this accident.

Collisions and Traffic Safety in North Carolina

Auto crashes like the one that occurred on N New Hope Rd in Raleigh are a common occurrence in growing metropolitan areas throughout North Carolina. With increased traffic density and expanding suburban communities, intersections such as Tamarack Grove Ln can become hotspots for accidents due to higher volumes of daily commuters and turning traffic.

According to recent statistics from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, more than 275,000 traffic crashes occurred statewide in 2023, resulting in over 114,000 injuries. Many of these incidents happened in urban areas like Raleigh, where high-speed travel meets congested residential access points. Intersections without sufficient turn lanes, traffic controls, or visibility often contribute to these types of crashes.

While investigators work to determine the cause of this particular crash, it's important to recognize common contributing factors in local roadway accidents. Distracted driving, failing to yield, and improper lane changes are frequent causes of injury collisions at intersections. Urban infrastructure plays a role as well—many older roadways were not designed to support today’s traffic volumes, increasing the likelihood of dangerous encounters, especially during peak travel times.

Drivers in Wake County and throughout North Carolina are reminded to stay alert at intersections, obey posted signs, and reduce speed in residential areas. These steps, though simple, are essential to reducing the number of serious injury crashes and making roads safer for everyone.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.

Tax Day — which falls annually on April 15 (this year, a Tuesday) — is usually the deadline for most people across the United States to file and pay both their federal and state taxes.

This year, taxpayers in North Carolina are automatically eligible to file and pay their taxes on Thursday, May 1 for both federal and state. But for many taxpayers living in the Tar Heel state, interest will begin to accrue on April 15.

“This was a combination of federal disaster relief for both Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. Between the 2 federally declared disasters, taxpayers in all 100 N.C. counties automatically qualify for the May 1 deadline for filing and paying any federal taxes due,” a spokesperson for the Internal Revenue Service told The News & Observer earlier this month in an email.

A state tax filing and payment extension applies to all taxpayers who live in North Carolina as well: “The deadline for most calendar year taxpayers to file and pay income tax without incurring a penalty is May 1, 2025,” a recent release from the NC Department of Revenue says.

Those who live in non-disaster counties will be charged interest if they file and pay after Tax Day: Interest on an underpayment of tax for a non-disaster [county] will begin to accrue on 4/15/2025,” Dia Harris, public affairs director for the NC DOR, told The N&O via email.

All taxpaying North Carolina residents are considered victims of Hurricane Helene, the IRS spokesperson confirmed to The N&O.

Select residents who live in disaster counties (designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency) are also eligible for interest relief. Visit ncdor.gov to see which counties qualify.

According to the NC Department of Revenue, the following affected taxpayers have until May 1 to file and pay federal and state taxes:

Select taxpayers impacted by Tropical Storm Debby had federal returns and payments postponed until Feb. 3 of this year, but these taxpayers also now have until May 1 to file and/or pay, the IRS says.

Residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are also eligible for the extended deadline.

An agreement signed on Monday, April 8 will allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to submit names and addresses of unauthorized immigrants to the IRS for cross-verification against tax records, according to the Associated Press.

“This is a major and unprecedented action that risks the sensitive personal and location data of immigrant tax filers, which ICE could potentially use to target them for enforcement actions,” the Economic Policy Institute wrote in the days after the agreement was signed.

Unauthorized immigrants can and do pay taxes. Many use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the IRS, Reuters Fact Check wrote earlier this year.

Undocumented immigrants paid almost $97 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, according to a 2024 report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The report found that more than a third of these taxes paid go toward funding programs that these individuals cannot access, like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance.

“As a result of ICE and IRS cooperation in this manner, persons who lack an immigration status may be much less likely to file their federal taxes out of fear of immigration enforcement, and those who have filed in the past are at risk for being targeted for detention and deportation for violating immigration laws,” the Economic Policy Institute wrote.

More on filing and paying taxes in North Carolina this year:

Have a question about your community you’d like answered? Or maybe a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.

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April 10, 2025 2:39 PM

This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 10:54 AM.