1. Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, eminent domain
Background: Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a “Best Law Firm” in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law as well as Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs. The firm holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Founding partner Mike Lewis has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and eminent domain, and has been distinguished as a North Carolina Super Lawyer. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Winston-Salem and North Carolina.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (also serving Greensboro and throughout the Piedmont Triad)
Contact: (336) 765-7777 | https://lewisandkeller.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. The firm works on a contingency fee basis with no fees unless they win.
2. Law Office of Kevin J. Williams, PLLC
Focus Area: Serious personal injury and wrongful death cases
Practice Areas: Tractor-trailer accidents, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, trampoline park injuries, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Background: Kevin J. Williams has over 27 years of legal experience in personal injury law. He has been awarded an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer multiple times by North Carolina’s Super Lawyers magazine. Mr. Williams is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the American Association for Justice, including the Motor Vehicle Section, Trucking Litigation Group, and Trampoline Park Injury Group. He has authored articles and a book chapter on expert witnesses for legal publications.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (serving Greensboro, High Point, and throughout North Carolina)
Contact: (336) 257-1505 | https://kevinjwilliamslaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. The firm is qualified to practice before all North Carolina state and federal courts.
3. Nagle & Associates, P.A.
Focus Area: Serious car accident and motor vehicle collision cases
Practice Areas: Car accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, drunk driving accidents, serious injury cases, wrongful death
Background: Nagle & Associates was founded by Carl Nagle, a former insurance defense attorney who now represents injured victims. The firm focuses exclusively on major automobile accidents, giving them extensive experience in such litigation. The firm charges 25% of settlements resolved out of court, which is lower than the industry standard. Nagle & Associates has helped clients throughout North Carolina, including Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and Goldsboro areas.
Location: Offices in Winston-Salem and Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact: (800) 411-1583 | https://www.naglefirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation provided. The firm offers a lower contingency fee structure than many competitors.
4. Comerford Chilson & Moser, L.L.P.
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death cases requiring experienced trial attorneys
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death
Background: The firm has nearly 25 years of experience fighting for individuals and families in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and beyond. Many cases come through referrals from fellow attorneys and law firms. The attorneys are known among both legal professionals and insurance adjusters as fair but tough negotiators. The firm keeps its caseload small to dedicate time, resources, and focus to each individual client.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (serving Greensboro, High Point, and the Piedmont Triad)
Contact: (336) 568-8779 | https://www.comerfordtriallawyers.com/
Consultation: Free complimentary consultation. All injury cases are handled on a contingency basis with expenses advanced by the firm.
5. Daggett Shuler
Focus Area: Complex personal injury claims throughout North Carolina
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
Background: The personal injury lawyers at Daggett Shuler have decades of combined experience handling complex injury claims across Winston-Salem and throughout North Carolina. The firm is rooted in the Triad community and has extensive knowledge of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County courts, judges, and procedures. The attorneys have a proven track record of fighting for justice and maximum compensation for injured clients.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (serving Forsyth County and the surrounding Triad region)
Contact: (336) 724-1234 | https://daggettshulerlaw.com/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available. The firm prioritizes approachable and compassionate client service.
Personal Injury Laws in North Carolina
Statute of Limitations
North Carolina provides a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases under N.C. Stat. § 1-52(5). The clock typically begins on the date of injury or when the injury should have been discovered. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under N.C. Stat. § 1-53(4). Medical malpractice claims have a three-year limit with a maximum statute of repose of four years.
Negligence Rules
North Carolina follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine, one of the strictest negligence standards in the United States. Under this rule, if an injured party is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering any compensation. North Carolina is one of only four states (along with Virginia, Maryland, and Alabama plus Washington D.C.) that still applies this harsh rule. Insurance companies frequently use contributory negligence defenses to deny or reduce claims.
Damage Caps
North Carolina does not cap compensatory damages (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases. However, medical malpractice cases have a cap on noneconomic damages of $656,730 (as of January 1, 2023) under N.C. Stat. § 90-21.19, which adjusts for inflation every three years. Punitive damages in all cases are limited to the greater of three times compensatory damages or $250,000 under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1D-25.
Auto Insurance Requirements
North Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. As of July 1, 2025, the minimum coverage requirements have increased significantly:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person (up from $30,000)
- $100,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons (up from $60,000)
- $50,000 for property damage (up from $25,000)
North Carolina also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at matching limits. The new law eliminates the “liability setoff” provision, allowing injured parties to collect the full face value of their UIM policies in addition to amounts paid by at-fault drivers.
Fault System
North Carolina is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for damages. Injured parties can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance, their own insurance company, or pursue a lawsuit in civil court. The state’s contributory negligence rule significantly impacts how fault is assessed and can bar recovery if the injured party shares any blame.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule affect my accident case in Winston-Salem?
North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine can completely bar your recovery if you are found even slightly at fault. For example, if you were exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph or failed to wear a seatbelt, insurance companies may argue you contributed to your injuries. This makes it critical to preserve all evidence, avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, and work with an attorney experienced in defending against contributory negligence claims. Some exceptions exist, such as the “last clear chance” doctrine.
What are the new auto insurance requirements that took effect in 2025?
Starting July 1, 2025, North Carolina raised minimum liability limits to 50/100/50 (up from 30/60/25). Additionally, the new law eliminates the “liability setoff” for underinsured motorist claims. Previously, UIM payments were reduced by amounts paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance. Now, injured parties can collect the full face value of their UIM policy plus the at-fault driver’s liability limits, potentially doubling available coverage in some cases.
Can I still file a personal injury claim if my accident happened two years ago?
North Carolina provides three years from the date of injury to file most personal injury lawsuits. If your accident occurred two years ago, you likely still have time, but you should act quickly. Evidence becomes harder to preserve, witnesses’ memories fade, and medical records become more difficult to connect to the accident over time. Wrongful death claims have only a two-year deadline from the date of death.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Winston-Salem personal injury case?
North Carolina allows injured parties to recover compensatory damages including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available but are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $250,000. There is no cap on compensatory damages except in medical malpractice cases.
How do accidents on I-40 Business or US-421 through Winston-Salem affect personal injury claims?
Major highways running through Winston-Salem, including I-40 Business, US-421, and US-52, see significant traffic and commercial truck activity. Accidents involving tractor-trailers or commercial vehicles often involve multiple insurance policies, federal trucking regulations, and more complex liability determinations. These cases may require accident reconstruction experts and review of driver logs, maintenance records, and company hiring practices. North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule makes establishing the commercial driver’s complete fault essential.