WASHINGTON — Volkswagen’s unit in the United States has settled a lawsuit brought by a North Carolina man whose car was equipped with software that concealed excess diesel emissions. The case would have been the first involving the automaker’s emissions scandal to go to trial.

The settlement, on Friday, came days after a Virginia state court judge, Bruce D. White, rejected a request by the German automaker to delay the trial because of what it called “inflammatory” comments made by a lawyer representing car owners.

Judge White approved the case’s dismissal on Friday. Michael Melkersen, a Virginia lawyer who represented David Doar, the North Carolina man, along with more than 300 other Volkswagen diesel owners in the United States, said the case had been dismissed by agreement. But he declined to discuss the terms. A Volkswagen spokeswoman declined to comment.

The first trial in the United States could have resulted in testimony by current and former company executives and additional negative publicity. Mr. Doar had sued Volkswagen over fraud and unfair trade practice claims and sought punitive damages as well as compensation for the vehicle.