Free Consultation
(800) 411-1583
Our client was riding his motorcycle back from the Blue Ridge Parkway when an approaching driver attempted a left turn directly across his lane.....
Client was riding his motorcycle when a tractor-trailer driver turned across his lane. Trucking company initially refused payment...
Motorcycle collision results in severe arm injuries. The defense attorneys and at-fault driver denied the claim and argued that our client was partially at-fault for the accident....
Guest passenger on motorcycle involved in a collision with another vehicle...
Motorcyclist injured because another driver attempted a left turn directly across his lane of travel. Injury to leg and foot along with multiple bruises and abrasions...
Client's husband called after nearly accepting the at-fault driver's policy limits of $100,000.00, believing ...
Pedestrian struck in the parking lot of a car wash and incident resulted in traumatic brain injury for elderly...
Client suffered two broken legs in an intersection collision caused by driver who disregarded a posted stop...
Motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries, and we offer the help you need when you need it most. Carl Nagle is a fellow motorcyclist, with over 40 years of riding experience. Our firm is North Carolina's ONLY pure motor vehicle injury law firm. We only handle serious injury cases arising from roadway accidents. Carl personally handles all motorcycle accident injury cases, and we also offer the lowest legal fee of all NC personal injury law firms. We offer a free consultation now, and if you need our help, our fee is 25% of settlement – other firms charge 33.3%. Also, if you need our help, we can get started today with no up-front costs or fees. With a signature, we begin working now to protect and enforce your legal rights.
Driving a motorcycle isn't like operating any other kind of vehicle. The rush you get as a motorcycle driver is undeniable. Unfortunately, so are the risks that come with driving them. Despite only 3% of road users being motorcyclists, in 2021, there were 3,712 motorcycle accidents in North Carolina. 210 of those accidents were fatal. That means that in one year alone, dozens and dozens of families lost loved ones due to motorcycle crashes. Often, these tragic accidents aren't caused by mistakes the motorcycle rider makes. They're due to another driver's negligence.
In the event of a motorcycle accident, the probability of sustaining significant injuries is considerably higher, as even the most effective motorcycle gear can only offer limited protection. In collisions with other vehicles, we have no protection. Furthermore, the other vehicle involved in the accident will likely be much larger, increasing the chances of injury or even fatality. Although the other driver's insurance may cover some of the expenses for your medical bills and motorcycle repairs, their insurance company will make every effort to minimize the amount they have to pay. Carl Nagle is a former claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer. He knows how to oppose insurance adjusters and avoid the insurance company's efforts to minimize your injury claims. If you've been injured while riding your motorcycle, you deserve generous compensation – but without the help of a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys, you may only get a fraction of what you need.
When you're trying to recover from a motorcycle crash, finding the best Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys can seem like a losing effort. But when you discover that Nagle & Associates only handles roadway accident cases, you get immediate peace of mind knowing that your legal rights are fully protected. We will push for the highest settlement, and help to make sure the lion's share of that tax-free money stays with you. And if the insurance company lowballs you with an unfair offer, we will bring your case to a jury in the county where city sits County Superior Court in Rocky Mount, NC.
Our law firm only handles motorcycle, car, truck and other roadway accidents. This high degree of focus has helped us to master traffic laws, insurance regulations, trial practice and evidence laws, and the law of damages. We also have unparalleled experience in traumatic medicine, and we have worked directly with the best doctors and surgeons in NC. Our founder, Carl Nagle, brings valuable experience as a former insurance claims adjuster and insurance company lawyer, giving us unique insight into dealing with large insurance companies with vast resources. With two retired North Carolina State Troopers and four licensed North Carolina auto insurance adjusters on our team, we're well-equipped to pursue all legal claims arising from your motorcycle accident.
We have a strong track record of working with top crash reconstruction experts, collaborating with law enforcement to investigate accidents, and preserving crucial evidence to establish fault and legal responsibility. Moreover, we're adept at presenting medical evidence to maximize settlements and trial outcomes. We also micro-manage all financial aspects of your settlement, minimizing external claims against your settlement money, and ensuring the highest tax-free payments for our clients at the conclusion of each case.
We focus on a number of different motorcycle incidents, including the following:
At Nagle & Associates, we aim to be the authority on motorcycle accidents and insurance law in North Carolina. We know what steps to take in the aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash and how to deal with large insurance companies trying to penny-pinch you. When you choose our motorcycle accident law firm, you can sleep better at night knowing we'll obtain the largest settlement as soon as possible. We will deliver the money you need to help you put your bike accident properly into your past.
You might be thinking to yourself, “What makes Nagle & Associates the ideal motorcycle accident law firm in North Carolina?” What sets us apart from other law firms is our intense focus on auto accident cases and our unwavering client dedication. Like Stonewall Manor in Rocky Mount, NC, we stand tall for you when you're feeling low and make it a point to provide passionate representation on your behalf.
Past clients injured in motorcycle accidents recommend their friends and family members to our law firm because we prioritize the following:
Most law firms in our state handle a wide range of cases, from divorce and criminal defense to tax and business law. Firms that only handle personal injury also handle slip & fall, dog bite, assault, premises liability, Workers Compensation and disability cases. However, our firm ONLY handles personal injury claims resulting from serious motor vehicle accidents. With decades of experience only representing motor vehicle accident victims, we've mastered the intricacies of auto accident law in North Carolina. We're dedicated to protecting your rights, establishing fault, identifying all at-fault parties, finding and accessing available insurance coverage, and securing the maximum payment for your injury claims.
Carl Nagle is an exceptional Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys Rocky Mount, NC, with extensive experience in representing crash victims who were hurt due to negligent drivers. Prior to focusing exclusively on crash victims, he worked as an insurance claims adjuster in Atlanta and served as an insurance defense attorney after graduating with top academic honors from the University of Georgia School of Law. His insurance industry experience allows him to predict and counter insurance defense tactics and push insurance companies to offer generous settlements.
We deal exclusively with cases that involve verifiable injuries resulting from serious motorcycle accidents. We're not talking about a minor incident in a parking garage. Focusing on high-value cases allows us to offer a lower legal fee for settlements and trial verdicts. Most other personal injury lawyers charge 1/3 of the settlement, but if we take on your case, you'll only be charged for 1/4. With a lower fee than our competition, your keep a larger share of the tax-free money we collect through settlement or trial. Most cases settle, but we stand ready to conduct a jury trial in your home county if the insurance company refuses to offer full value for your injuries and suffering.
Nagle & Associates has a statewide presence, with seven offices across North Carolina. However, we truly offer a local presence for every client. We have investigators who handle crash investigations wherever collisions occur, and we conduct trials in all 100 North Carolina counties. We treat our clients like close friends and family, and it's important for us to go above and beyond for our friends and neighbors. That's why, if you're still recovering from your injuries in Spring Arbor of Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount, NC, or you live in a remote area, we're happy to come and meet with you where you are no expense if this helps to get your case started.
Most issues that come across our desk can be resolved via phone or email. Furthermore, most cases we handle are resolved through a simple and private settlement, with no need for lawsuit filings or court intervention. Typically, that means there's no major travel involved on your end. As noted above, if your case does proceed to trial in front of a jury, we'll ensure that it takes place in your home county.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, it's important to be aware of your rights. North Carolina statutes and case law establish valuable laws and legal rights to protect you and ensure that you receive fair treatment in the aftermath of the accident. It's essential to understand your rights as an injured motorcyclist and take active measures to safeguard them. One of the best ways to do so is to seek the advice of an experienced Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount, NC, who can help you navigate the legal process, pursue fair compensation, and achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Whether you choose our firm or another, injured riders should seek one or more free legal consultations to understand their legal rights and options before they start cooperating with insurance adjusters.
Some of the rights you have as a hurt motorcycle rider include:
You have the option to pursue compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party. Because North Carolina uses a fault-based system which requires insurance on all registered motor vehicles, you can also get compensation from the negligent party's insurance company.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of someone else's negligence, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your damages, injuries, and losses. This can encompass past and future lost wages and lost earning ability, payment for past medical bills and future medical needs, and payment for pain, suffering, disability, scarring and disfigurement and lost quality-of-life. Insurance adjusters seek to minimize these payments, but we push them to pay a settlement that reflects what we would expect from a jury in your home county.
Working without a lawyer in your motorcycle compensation case is a little bit like trying to conduct your own trial with no training and no lawyer in the ---countywherecitysits------ County Superior Court in Rocky Mount, NC. It's exceedingly difficult. Insurance adjusters are cost control experts, and they are being paid to minimize your injury claims. They will not help you find reasons to pay you more. Instead, they will try to deny the claim entirely by placing partial blame with you. In North Carolina, if you are just 1% at fault for your accident, you have no right to compensation. If you are clearly innocent, the adjuster will still seek to pay you as little as possible. Throughout the claims process, you have the option to enlist the services of a ----Rocky Mount------------ Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys who will work to represent your interests and speak on your behalf. With their assistance, you can safeguard your rights, maneuver through intricate legal processes, and succeed in all negotiations with insurance companies to secure equitable compensation.
You have the option to seek a just resolution that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses. When you work with Nagle & Associates, our team will evaluate the complete scope of your damages and engage in discussions with the insurance company to achieve a fair and equitable settlement.
If an equitable agreement cannot be achieved through negotiations, you have the option to bring your case to trial. In this scenario, a jury will assess liability and grant damages according to the evidence that is provided.
You have the right to challenge a court decision or insurance settlement if there is legal error by the judge or in the court proceedings that resulted in the unfavorable litigation result. If needed, a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount can guide you through the appeals process and act on your behalf during your appellate proceedings.
You are entitled to privacy concerning your medical records and personal details. Carl Nagle and our team of motorcycle accident lawyers always make it a point to safeguard your privacy and guarantee that confidential information is managed properly throughout your claims process.
Navigating a motorcycle accident claim can seem like you're trying to complete an obstacle course at The Landings of Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC. It involves many complexities, which is one reason why it's so important to work with an attorney who can ensure every detail in your case is covered. The legal team at Nagle & Associates will collect evidence, including medical records, eyewitness testimonies, and photographic proof. From there, your lawyer will construct a compelling case to effectively present your story and help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
When you're hurt in a motorcycle wreck in North Carolina, and it's not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Some of the most typical forms of compensation include:
If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you might be eligible for payment for the wages you have missed and for your potential future earnings if your injuries impact your long-term employment prospects.
You may be eligible to receive payment for medical expenses incurred in the past, present, and future due to your hospital stay, injuries, medications, surgical procedures, rehab, and therapy.
This type of compensation is for the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and emotional trauma resulting from the accident and your injuries. This is tax-free money and is often the largest share of a personal injury settlement.
This includes replacing or repairing your motorcycle and any other items that got damaged in the crash, like safety gear or personal possessions.
When intentional misconduct or extreme and reckless conduct results in a motorcycle accident, courts sometimes award you punitive damages. This additional compensation is meant as a punishment for the at-fault individual(s) and is also designed to deter similar behavior in the future.
One of the saddest consequences of motorcycle accidents is that they often leave the victim disfigured or disabled for the rest of their life. If your emotional well-being, quality of life, and ability to work are permanently impacted due to no fault of your own, you are entitled to compensation for this unfortunate experience.
In fatal motorcycle accident cases, surviving family members have a right to pursue a wrongful death case on behalf of the fatally injured motorcycle rider. The compensation from a wrongful death case is designed to provide financial assistance to surviving dependents, and to pay family members for the lost relationship, the loss of services and companionship of the decedent, and other damages incurred by the family due to the fatal bike crash.
To receive the full compensation you deserve as soon as possible, consult with the knowledgeable attorneys at Nagle & Associates Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount. We will thoroughly investigate your case, manage adjusters who oppose you, build and present compelling medical evidence of your injuries, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your interests in court when necessary.
It doesn't take a graduate from Nash Community College Continuing Education and Public Safety Building in Rocky Mount, NC to know that talking about roadway crash injuries is an uncomfortable subject. That's especially true when motorcycles are involved, because they're often the most gruesome and fatal.
Here are just a few of the most common types of injuries that motorcycle drivers recover from:
When you are hit in a motorcycle crash and fall off your bike, you often skid on the road surface, causing lacerations, abrasions, and severe skin damage.
Serious head injuries are both common and severe in motorcycle crashes. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of damaging your brain or skull, but it's not a foolproof solution. Severe traumatic brain injuries often occur, even when bikers wear full face helmets.
Accidents involving motorcycles often result in internal injuries like harm to organs, internal bleeding, and injuries to the abdomen or chest.
Injuries to your spinal cord can vary in severity, ranging from minor contusions to the spinal cord to severe damage that can result in paralysis or lifelong disabilities.
Motorcycle collisions frequently cause fractures and joint injuries, such as joint dislocations and broken bones in the legs, ribs, arms, and pelvis.
Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause a range of psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can manifest as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Motorcycle crash victims may also experience heightened anxiety, characterized by feelings of unease, restlessness, and worry.
Though motorcycle drivers must wear helmets in North Carolina, headgear can only do so much for you when you're hit by another motorist. Injuries can vary from small cuts and bruises to serious facial damage, such as dental injuries and harm to the jaw or eyes.
In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, there are some general rules you should follow. Think before you speak. Don't accept guilt, even if the crash was your fault. Avoid sharing details on social media or discussing your case with anyone except your Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Rocky Mount, NC, or your doctor. Lastly, refrain from making any statements to the media if they show up at the scene.
If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, please reach out to us for an immediate, complimentary legal consultation. Our seasoned attorneys can provide valuable guidance over the phone on how to safeguard your legal rights, dodge insurance adjuster defense tactics, and secure the compensation you deserve.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Friday was Alex Burgess' first time back at his business, Alpha Automotive, since a tornado sent him to the hospital. The brace he wore and the abrasions on his back paint a picture of what he experienced a week ago."I have a fractured spine, seven broken ribs, and a torn MCL in my knee," said Burgess.He ...
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Friday was Alex Burgess' first time back at his business, Alpha Automotive, since a tornado sent him to the hospital. The brace he wore and the abrasions on his back paint a picture of what he experienced a week ago.
"I have a fractured spine, seven broken ribs, and a torn MCL in my knee," said Burgess.
He was working on the car that was still on the lift inside his shop when the tornado touched down. It happened so fast that Burgess and his partner didn't have time to run.
"He had his head cut open, hips injured and even broke his ankle," he said. "He's recovering."
Burgess said cinder blocks flew as strong winds leveled some of the buildings and shattered windows of more than a dozen of his customers' cars.
"Sometimes I feel like I let some people down," said Burgess.
It's clear by the damage it's going to take the business owners in the area a while to get back on their feet. There's no timeline on when they will reopen.
The Hing Ta Restaurant sits next door and Eduardo Luna was inside eating at the time of the storm's arrival.
"A table trapped my leg and somebody helped me get out," he said.
ALSO SEE: 5 Rocky Mount buildings deemed 'unsafe' after EF3 tornado
Luna was thankful he wasn't sitting in his car that now has a beam through the driver's seat. The front door of the restaurant was damaged and he was among many customers who had a hard time getting out.
"It was a little hole where everybody comes out. They crawled out," he said.
Valerie McClure's mom has owned the restaurant for 29 years.
"We had the structural engineer come out yesterday. We're going to present that to the city inspector to see if we can salvage any of the supplies on the inside," she said.
McClure works down the road at the Pfizer plant that was destroyed a year ago. Her family was impacted by storms two years in a row.
"Tornado warnings hit differently now," she said. "We take that very seriously."
The plan is to demo the entire dining area and add fencing around the property, but over at Alpha Automotive, the damage is far worse than the owner could imagine. It's why he started an online fundraiser: Fundraiser by Johnny Parrish: Support Alex's Recovery and Shop Rebuilding
"I'm one of those ones who don't ask for help, but the person I was renting from didn't have insurance," Burgess said.
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
The National Weather Service says the powerful twister brought 140 mph winds.ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Removal started Monday on destroyed vehicles that were lodged inside a Rocky Mount business during Friday's EF3 tornado. City leaders have not yet given the green light ...
The National Weather Service says the powerful twister brought 140 mph winds.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Removal started Monday on destroyed vehicles that were lodged inside a Rocky Mount business during Friday's EF3 tornado. City leaders have not yet given the green light to clean up the debris.
Five buildings have been deemed unsafe in the wake of the twister and damage it left behind.
The City is waiting for a structural engineer to assess the buildings.
"That's the thing we worry about with damage like this is structural integrity," said Rocky Mount Plans Inspector Luis Ramirez. "There's a lot of weight involved."
City leaders said a medical supply building sustained the most damage and there are at least 100 oxygen tanks here. They are flammable and could combust.
"There are some oxygen tanks still in these vans that were set for delivery, but in the building itself, there are a large number of oxygen tanks," said Ramirez.
Rocky Mount is waiting for a company to remove the oxygen tanks.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey toured the damage and tried to assure residents that the department was there to help.
"If it's a business, and they had a commercial policy, it should be covered. If it's a homeowner and they had regular home damage, if a tree limb blows through somebody's roof, something like that, that's generally covered," said Causey.
The National Weather Service said the powerful twister brought winds of 140 mph.
K&W Cafeteria sits right next to where buildings were destroyed.
Manager Clarence Furse was working Friday. He said about 20 staff members and customers narrowly missed being hit by the tornado.
"I heard this loud pop sound and then a real booming sound, real loud. and the lights went out and you know, everybody was scared," he said.
There were no fatalities.
Ten people were rushed to UNC Health Nash after the tornado. Everyone has been treated at the hospital and released.
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds."ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- You can tell by talking to Clarence First he's a man of faith.First is a manager at the K & W Cafeteria next to the destruction Hurricane Helene left behind."God brought us through," he said. "For that tornado to hit right in...
"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds."
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- You can tell by talking to Clarence First he's a man of faith.
First is a manager at the K & W Cafeteria next to the destruction Hurricane Helene left behind.
"God brought us through," he said. "For that tornado to hit right in back of us and not hit this building, I thank him for covering us."
First walked Eyewitness News through the terrifying moments a tornado touched down within steps of where he works. He was standing at the buffet line with a few employees demanding all customers take cover in the restrooms.
"It happened so fast. It was a matter of seconds. I heard this loud popping sound ..booming sound and the lights went out," he said. "One of the customers started praying. Employees were hollering. A lot of people were crying."
According to First, power in the area was out for nearly 24 hours. He showed off a light dangling from the entrance of K & W that was minor damage compared to the devastation behind the restaurant.
ALSO SEE: Helene blamed for 3 deaths in North Carolina, historic flooding and at least 4 tornadoes
Clarence First
The storm system tore through Rocky Mount's business district along Tiffany Boulevard, which remains shut down. Some of the damage includes windows blown out of cars, dumpsters flipped over, a roof collapse and a medical supply store completely wiped out.
"When I saw it yesterday, I was like wow. I was praying nobody was in the building that I knew," said Robert Green.
He used to shop at the medical supply store and drove from Whitakers to get a closer look at the damage. Green took pictures so he could add them to his collection at home.
"This is going to go up. even when it came through Dortches and hit the pharmaceutical plant. It's pictures like that I take," he said.
According to the City of Rocky Mount, "police will monitor the properties to ensure the safety and security of the area." Rebuilding could likely take months.
The aftermath of Helene is also felt and seen from eastern to western North Carolina. Federal agencies have advice for residents.
"When it's safe to do so, document whatever damage you may have. Take pictures and report that to your insurance," said Erik Hooks Deputy Administrator with FEMA.
RELATED: At least 56 dead and millions without power after Helene's deadly march across southeastern US
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The effects of Helene touched all parts of our state.The most severe impact we saw in our area is in Rocky Mount after...
Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The effects of Helene touched all parts of our state.
The most severe impact we saw in our area is in Rocky Mount after a tornado ripped through Friday. ABC11 crews are on the scene as cleanup is underway.
The 100-yard-wide tornado was an EF-3 with 140 mph winds and traveled for a quarter-mile, according to the National Weather Service.
An automotive repair shop and a restaurant were among 14 buildings on Tiffany Boulevard that sustained heavy damage, with some having roofs and walls torn away. Several vehicles were also damaged.
Crews on the ground for cleanup and assessments. Rocky Mount Mayor C. Saunders (Sandy) Roberson, Jr. declared a state of emergency, and it will be in place until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
WATCH | Cleanup crews on ground after Rocky Mount tornado
The tornado happened in the middle of the day with people outside and out dining with friends and family.
ABC11 spoke with witness Sonny Cardinelli Friday, who was inside the Hing Ta restaurant when the tornado moved through.
Cardinelli said he got as many people as he could under the table. He could hear items and debris falling on the table and around him.
"We were sitting there, we kept getting the tornado alerts, and then some of my family members told me that there was a tornado in the area," he said. "So, me and my granddaughter and a friend of hers ... sitting at the table, and I went to get my plate and when I seen the chimes going around and everything started spinning, so I ran to them and grabbed everyone I could and we went under the table. We were lucky."
Keisha Justice was inside her store, Pretty Essentials Women's Boutique, in the shopping center when the tornado struck.
"The front is completely gone," Justice said Friday of her business, which services cancer patients.
Rocky Mount Fire Chief Darvin Moore said 15 people were injured, four seriously, related to the tornado.
There was also at least one other confirmed tornado in Sampson County. It packed winds of 95 mph and traveled more than 3 miles, snapping trees and knocking down power poles on Helltown Road near Garland.
Three deaths in North Carolina are among the dozens of storm-related deaths nationwide.
The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, is expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley into the weekend, the National Storm Center said. Several flood and flash flood warnings remain in effect in parts of the south and central Appalachians. High wind warnings are also issued in parts of Tennessee and Ohio.
Crisis Cleanup has issued a number available for folks to call for assistance with debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene: (844) 965-1386. All services are free, but not guaranteed. The hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11.
Crisis Cleanup has issued the phone number available for folks to call for assistance with debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene. Call (844) 965-1386.All services are free, but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11, 2024. pic.twitter.com/8VauFN02C9
— NC Emergency Management (@NCEmergency) September 28, 2024
You can report a power outage at 57801, use the Duke Energy app or their website.
You can check for road closures due to the storm.
'Terrible' Helene leaves western NC with major flooding, all roads declared closed
Lake Lure Dam no longer at risk of breaching following inspection, emergency officials say
Copyright © 2024 ABC11-WTVD-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved - The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- This tornado showed no mercy, picking up cars like toys and tossing them hundreds of yards. Rocky Mount residents are thankful that the tornado was not fatal.Sonny Caridnale recalled the moments the twister touched down. It was just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, as he was out to eat with his family along North Wesleyan Boule...
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- This tornado showed no mercy, picking up cars like toys and tossing them hundreds of yards. Rocky Mount residents are thankful that the tornado was not fatal.
Sonny Caridnale recalled the moments the twister touched down. It was just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, as he was out to eat with his family along North Wesleyan Boulevard.
"Everything was spinning inside the room. Bricks. Everything was going around in circles in there. And we just all grabbed and went up under the tables," said Sonny Cardinale. "There was still stuff hitting us, in the back and on top of us."
According to Rocky Mount Emergency Management, 15 people were hurt, four of whom had serious injuries, and 14 buildings were damaged, 11 extensively. Cardinale and others helped to pull out one man pinned under the debris. On the other side of the shopping center, Keisha Justice who serves cancer patients shared a similar account.
I heard someone screaming. There was people that were in that building. And with that, all I heard was help, help.- Keisha Justice
"I heard those sounds and I told him I was like, let's, let's run it, let's take cover. And so we went to the bathroom, which is what we knew was the safest place to be," said Justice of Pretty Essentials Women's Boutique.
When Justice looked out her doors seconds later, she saw a medical supply business demolished.
"I heard someone screaming. There was people that were in that building. And with that, all I heard was help, help," Justice said. "She was covered with bricks, and the only thing I could do at that point was call 911 because I was too afraid to come out. I didn't know if the tornado was circled back around or if it was done."
Justice described the view as a war zone. Vehicles tossed across the parking lot; windows busted; signs ripped like paper; and light posts strung like yarn.
Hair stylist Demetrius Barnes was thankful she was able to keep a young client calm.
"It's amazing what a storm can do. And we were just spared. It could've been worse," said Barnes.
People living in the nearby Tiffany Park Apartments were also affected. Metal siding and large branches were scattered across the parking lot, making it difficult to drive.
Kaishaun Brown and Jordan Auston, had frightening moments during their day off from school, with a large tree limb breaking a window.
"It fell on my dresser, on the TV stand, near my Xbox, glass, the whole part on the window is on the floor," said Kaishaun.
"It was scary. I was hoping everyone was OK," said Jordan.
Rocky Mount residents and emergency crews will continue to assess the damage and clean up into the weekend.
A State of Emergency has been declared by Mayor Sandy Roberson. It is in place till 5 p.m. Sunday.
