1. Ward Black Law
Focus Area: Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Workers’ Compensation, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Lung Cancer from Asbestos Exposure, Wrongful Death, Drug and Product Injuries, Class Action Lawsuits
Background: Ward Black Law has built extensive experience in handling work injury cases and asbestos-related illness claims throughout North Carolina. The firm has developed specialized knowledge in mesothelioma litigation and represents clients in class action lawsuits involving defective drugs and products. Their attorneys advocate for injured workers and accident victims across the Piedmont Triad region.
Location: 208 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401
Contact: (336) 333-2244 | https://www.wardblacklaw.com
Consultation: Free case review available. Time-sensitive claims require prompt action due to statutes of limitations.
2. Roane Law
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Injuries
Background: Attorney James Roane has over 22 years of experience representing injured individuals in North Carolina. Roane Law is the only law firm in North Carolina to win a verdict in every county in the Piedmont region. The firm is led by James Roane along with attorneys Kara McIvor and Chris, with roots in UNC Greensboro and NC State University. Based in Greensboro, the firm serves clients from the mountains to the coast.
Location: Greensboro, NC
Contact: (336) 361-3808 | https://www.roane-law.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm takes fewer cases to ensure personalized attention.
3. Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Eminent Domain
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, Eminent Domain, Condemnation Law
Background: Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers is recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News and World Report in both Eminent Domain and Personal Injury Litigation. 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 designated a North Carolina Super Lawyer.
Location: 204 Muirs Chapel Road, Suite 100, Greensboro, NC 27410
Contact: (336) 864-2788 | https://www.lewisandkeller.com
Consultation: Free case reviews available. Contingency fee basis.
4. Hardison & Cochran
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, Nursing Home Negligence, Child Care Negligence, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, Defective Products
Background: Established in 1982, Hardison & Cochran has over 40 years of experience serving North Carolina. The firm employs multiple North Carolina Board-Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law. Partner Benjamin T. Cochran manages the firm’s operations while representing individual clients. The firm has grown from one office in Dunn to six offices statewide, including the Greensboro location.
Location: 1209 Magnolia Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Contact: (336) 777-7777 | https://www.lawyernc.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultations available 24/7. The firm comes to clients when needed.
5. CR Legal Team
Focus Area: Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability
Background: CR Legal Team has headquarters in Greensboro with 10 office locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The firm emphasizes community service and strives to make Greensboro a safer place to live and work. Their attorneys have experience with North Carolina’s unique personal injury laws, including the contributory negligence rule.
Location: Greensboro, NC (Headquarters)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.crlegalteam.com/greensboro/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no upfront fees.
Personal Injury Laws in North Carolina
Statute of Limitations
North Carolina allows three years to file most personal injury lawsuits under N.C. Stat. § 1-52(5). The deadline runs from the earlier of when the injury occurred or when it should have been discovered with reasonable diligence. For wrongful death claims, the statute is two years from the date of death under N.C. Stat. § 1-53(4). Medical malpractice claims have a three-year statute of limitations, with a four-year extension under the discovery rule, but an absolute statute of repose of 10 years applies to all personal injury claims.
Contributory Negligence Rule
North Carolina is one of only four states following the pure contributory negligence doctrine. Under this harsh rule, if an injured person is found even 1% at fault for their injuries, they are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes North Carolina one of the most difficult states for personal injury plaintiffs. Limited exceptions exist, including the “last clear chance” doctrine, which may allow recovery if the defendant had the final opportunity to avoid the accident but failed to do so.
Damage Caps
North Carolina does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, allowing full recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. However, non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases are capped at $656,730 as of January 1, 2023, with adjustments for inflation every three years under N.C. Stat. § 90-21.19. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of $250,000 or three times the compensatory damages.
Auto Insurance Requirements
As of July 1, 2025, North Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of 50/100/50, meaning $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage. This represents a significant increase from the previous 30/60/25 minimums. North Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for damages. All new and renewed policies must also include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage matching the liability limits. The 2025 law change also eliminates the liability setoff for UIM claims, allowing injured parties to collect the full face value of their policies.
Dog Bite Liability
North Carolina holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs under N.C. Stat. § 67-4.4. This means the owner is responsible for damages even if the dog had no prior history of aggression and the owner had no knowledge the animal might be dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule affect my Greensboro car accident claim?
North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine can defeat your entire claim if you are found even partially at fault. Unlike most states where you could recover reduced damages proportional to fault, North Carolina bars all recovery if you contributed to the accident in any way. For example, if you were speeding even slightly when another driver ran a red light and hit you, the defense may argue your speed contributed to the collision. Insurance companies in Greensboro regularly use this defense to deny or reduce claims. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence establishing the other party’s complete fault and counter any contributory negligence arguments.
What changes to North Carolina auto insurance requirements affect Greensboro drivers in 2025?
Starting July 1, 2025, North Carolina significantly increased minimum liability insurance requirements. The new minimums are $50,000 per person for bodily injury (up from $30,000), $100,000 per accident for bodily injury (up from $60,000), and $50,000 for property damage (up from $25,000). All policies must now include matching uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Additionally, the new law eliminates the “liability setoff” for UIM claims, meaning you can now collect the full amount of your UIM coverage on top of the at-fault driver’s liability payment. This change provides substantially more protection for accident victims with serious injuries.
What should I know about filing a workers’ compensation claim in Guilford County?
North Carolina workers’ compensation provides benefits regardless of fault for workplace injuries. You have 30 days to notify your employer of a work injury and up to two years to file a formal workers’ compensation claim. Benefits cover medical expenses, temporary disability payments at two-thirds of your average weekly wage (subject to a cap), and permanent partial or total disability compensation. If a third party such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer caused your workplace injury, you may also have a separate personal injury claim against that party with a three-year statute of limitations. These third-party claims can provide additional compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits.
Can I still recover damages if my injury at a Greensboro business was partly my fault?
Under North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule, even minimal fault on your part can bar all recovery. However, several legal exceptions may preserve your claim. The “last clear chance” doctrine allows recovery if the defendant had the final opportunity to prevent the accident. Gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct by the defendant may also overcome contributory negligence defenses. Additionally, if the defendant violated a safety statute, your claim may proceed under different standards. Because these exceptions are complex and heavily contested, documenting the scene thoroughly and consulting an attorney quickly is essential for premises liability cases in Greensboro.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim after losing a family member in a Triad-area accident?
North Carolina imposes a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, running from the date of death. The claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. Compensation may include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income the deceased would have earned, and loss of companionship and services. Unlike standard personal injury claims with a three-year deadline, the shorter wrongful death timeline makes prompt action essential. If the death occurred on government property or involved a government employee, additional notice requirements with shorter deadlines may apply.