1. Kellum Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, premises liability, medical malpractice, dog bites, nursing home abuse
Background: The firm has practiced law in North Carolina for over 40 years. Mr. Kellum, the company founder, has been licensed in North Carolina for over 60 years. Mr. Briggs, co-owner and managing attorney, has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. The firm maintains a long-standing presence in the Fayetteville community, serving military families and local residents.
Location: Fayetteville, NC (serving Cumberland County and surrounding areas)
Contact: (910) 488-5050 | https://kellumlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee structure with no fees unless compensation is recovered.
2. The Richardson Firm, PLLC
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Criminal Defense
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, eminent domain
Background: The attorneys at The Richardson Firm have over 75 years of combined experience in the civil and criminal courts of North Carolina. Billy and Matt Richardson have been helping injured residents of Fayetteville and Southeastern North Carolina for decades. The firm is locally owned with deep roots in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
Location: Fayetteville, NC (also serving Raeford, Clinton, Fort Liberty, Whiteville, Lumberton, Dunn, Spring Lake, and Sanford)
Contact: (910) 488-5050 | https://www.therichardsonfirm.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
3. MacRae & Whitley, LLP
Focus Area: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Eminent Domain
Practice Areas: Personal injury, wrongful death, land condemnation, eminent domain, criminal defense, business litigation, insurance coverage disputes
Background: This firm and its predecessors have practiced law in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and across North Carolina for over 100 years. James C. MacRae, Jr. has been with the firm for over 30 years and graduated from Western Carolina University and North Carolina Central University School of Law. Gregory T. Whitley joined in 2008, having graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. James C. MacRae III joined the team in 2024 with a background from East Carolina University and NC Central University School of Law.
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Contact: Visit website for contact information | https://www.macraewhitley.com/
Consultation: Contact firm for consultation details.
4. Beaver Courie Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability
Background: The firm has earned an AV Peer Review Rating through Martindale-Hubbell. Multiple attorneys have received honors from respected legal publications. The firm handles serious car and truck accident injury and wrongful death litigation throughout the region, with offices in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Location: Fayetteville, NC (with additional offices in Raeford and Pinehurst)
Contact: Visit website for contact information | https://www.beavercourie.com/
Consultation: Contact firm to discuss your case.
5. Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A.
Focus Area: Personal Injury Litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury claims, product liability
Background: Founded by trial lawyer Wade Byrd, who has more than 50 years of legal experience. He was recently honored by the Southern Trial Lawyers Association with the WarHorse Award, becoming only the fourth attorney in North Carolina history to receive this distinction. The firm has built a reputation for aggressive and effective personal injury representation throughout North Carolina.
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Contact: Visit website for contact information | https://www.wadebyrdlaw.com/
Consultation: Contact firm for case evaluation.
Personal Injury Laws in North Carolina
Statute of Limitations
North Carolina provides a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims (N.C. Stat. § 1-52(5)). The clock typically begins on the date the injury occurred or was discovered. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is reduced to two years from the date of death (N.C. Stat. § 1-53(4)). Medical malpractice claims follow specific rules: generally three years from the last act of malpractice or one year from discovery of injury, with a four-year statute of repose.
Contributory Negligence
North Carolina is one of only four states that follows the pure contributory negligence rule. Under this doctrine, if a plaintiff is found even 1% at fault for the accident that caused their injuries, they may be barred from recovering any compensation. This makes North Carolina’s negligence standard among the strictest in the nation. Exceptions exist, such as when the defendant had a last clear chance to avoid the accident and failed to act.
Damage Caps
North Carolina caps noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases. As of January 1, 2023, these damages are capped at $656,730, with adjustments for inflation every three years (N.C. Stat. § 90-21.19). The next increase is scheduled for January 1, 2026. There are no caps on economic damages or general personal injury claims outside of medical malpractice.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Effective July 1, 2025, North Carolina significantly increased its minimum auto insurance requirements through Senate Bill 452, the first change in 25 years. The new minimums are:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury (previously $30,000)
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury (previously $60,000)
- $50,000 for property damage (previously $25,000)
North Carolina requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) that matches liability limits. The 2024 legislation also eliminated the “liability setoff” rule, allowing injured parties to collect full UIM benefits in addition to liability payouts from at-fault drivers. North Carolina operates as an at-fault state for auto insurance claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I share some blame for my accident in Fayetteville?
North Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence rule, which is among the strictest in the country. If you are found even partially at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies frequently raise contributory negligence as a defense to reduce or deny claims. Working with an experienced attorney can help counter these defenses and protect your right to recovery.
How does the military presence at Fort Liberty affect personal injury cases?
The Fayetteville area includes many military families stationed at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). Personal injury claims involving active-duty service members may have unique considerations, including healthcare through TRICARE, potential federal jurisdiction issues, and deployment-related complications. Several Fayetteville attorneys have experience serving military families and understanding these specific needs.
What are the new auto insurance limits in North Carolina and how do they affect my claim?
Starting July 1, 2025, North Carolina raised minimum liability coverage to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000. This means drivers must carry more insurance coverage, which can provide greater compensation for accident victims. Additionally, the elimination of the “liability setoff” rule allows injured parties to collect their full UM/UIM coverage in addition to the at-fault driver’s liability payout, potentially doubling recovery in some cases.
Can I file a claim if I was injured in a car accident on I-95 or Highway 401 in Cumberland County?
Yes. Major highways like I-95 and Highway 401 see frequent traffic accidents in the Fayetteville area. You have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Given North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine, documenting the accident scene, gathering witness information, and seeking immediate medical attention are critical steps to protect your claim.
What types of damages can I recover in a Fayetteville personal injury case?
In North Carolina, personal injury victims may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity, property damage) and noneconomic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Punitive damages may be available in cases involving grossly negligent or intentional misconduct. Medical malpractice cases have caps on noneconomic damages, but standard personal injury cases do not have such limits.