Best Car Accident Lawyers Durham, NC Of 2024

Written By

Valerie Catalano, J.D.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Surrounded by sprawling state parks, rivers and lakes, Durham is a haven for those who love to explore nature. But if you’ve been injured in a car accident, many of its attractions might be off-limits for the time being. Getting help from a car accident attorney can help you focus on recovering instead of muddling through legal paperwork.

To help you find a lawyer perfect for your case, we’ve rounded up the 10 best car accident lawyers in Durham and written a short guide covering relevant laws and how to file a lawsuit.

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Best Car Accident Lawyers in Durham

• Thomas W. Henson, Jr.

John Alan Jones

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1982

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Lisa Lanier

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1992

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Isaac L. Thorp

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1990

Law School Attended

New York University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

David F. Kirby

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1992

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Karl E. Knudsen

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1978

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

John Edwards

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1977

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Donald R. Strickland

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1984

Law School Attended

Duke University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Thomas W. Henson, Jr.

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1989

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Richard N. Watson

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1974

Law School Attended

University of North Carolina School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

J. David Stradley

NC Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NC Bar

1995

Law School Attended

Duke University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Compare Top Durham Car Accident Attorneys

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Durham, North Carolina

Getting injured in a car accident can send you spiraling. You may wonder if you should file a lawsuit, how much time you have to file or how long it can take to recover from your injuries. To help you become more informed during this stressful time, we’ve written a short guide answering all those questions and more.

North Carolina Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases

The statute of limitations is a law that dictates how long you have to file a lawsuit. If this deadline is missed, your claim may be thrown out and you will be unable to collect damages.

Under North Carolina law, those filing a lawsuit for bodily injury due to a car accident have three years from the date of the accident to file. And even if you are suing someone only for property damage from a car accident, you still have three years to file.

In some situations—if the party being sued is a government entity or employee, for example—the statute of limitations may be reduced or extended.

North Carolina Laws for Car Drivers

There are a number of essential laws all car drivers in North Carolina need to understand. Here are the most crucial to remember if you’ve been in an accident.

• Accident reporting. Drivers that have been in an accident involving over $1,000 in property damage, death or personal injury must report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible.
• No texting while driving. All drivers are strictly prohibited from using a cell phone for reading or sending text messages while a vehicle is moving. Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a cell phone at all while driving—unless they are calling an emergency line or their parents.
• Damage caps. For personal injury lawsuits—not including medical malpractice suits—economic and noneconomic damages have no limits. Punitive damages–those awarded to deter and/or punish highly negligent behavior– are capped at $250,000 or three times the amount of damages awarded to compensate the plaintiff.
• Minimum insurance requirements. North Carolina requires all drivers to carry at least $30,000 of coverage for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 of coverage for bodily injury to two or more individuals and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. Failure to do so results in a fine and potentially a revocation of the driver’s license plate by the DMV.

Identifying Fault for Car Accidents in North Carolina

Determining who is at fault for a car accident is critical; North Carolina has an at-fault system, so the person who’s responsible for the accident is liable for damages. Insurance adjusters—and attorneys—typically review the site of the accident, police reports, photos of the crash and witness testimony to try to determine who was responsible for the crash.

North Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence rule. If you carry any fault for the crash whatsoever, you are barred from recovering damages. If an adjuster determines you were 1% at fault for the crash because you forgot to signal, for example, you cannot file a claim. That said, that’s when an attorney can step in and try to overturn an adjuster’s opinion in negotiations—or in court if required.

How Can an Attorney Help You?

An attorney can help with all aspects of your case, including filing necessary claims and paperwork and negotiating a settlement agreement with an insurance company. If your case goes to trial, they will represent you in court and work to create a compelling argument for your compensation.

One important way an attorney can help is by determining the compensation you are owed for your injuries from an accident. Relying on their experience, forensic experts, police reports and other data, a lawyer can calculate what kind of funds could make you as whole as possible. With this figure in mind, your lawyer can also advise on when to reject—or accept—an insurance settlement offer.

How To Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Durham, NC

Finding the right attorney for your case could mean recovering thousands more in damages, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when researching your options. Here are some key features to keep in mind when surveying lawyers.

• Injury-specific experience. Not all car accident injuries can be compensated in the same way, especially when they’re serious injuries. Make sure the attorney you work with has experience with the types of injuries you sustained from the crash—they’ll have a more accurate understanding of what fair compensation looks like.
• Strong past results. Attorneys who regularly achieve favorable settlements and verdicts have a higher chance of handling your case well. Seek out lawyers who have a clear track record of success with car accident cases.
• Open lines of communication. Car accident cases can take months, or even years, to finalize. Look for an attorney who will keep you updated and informed throughout the entire process.

Our Methodology for Finding the Best Durham Car Accident Attorneys

Forbes Advisor ranked attorneys offering services in car accident law within a 50-mile radius of Durham, NC using data points across the categories of qualifications, experience, reputation, client experience and diversity and inclusivity. We pulled data for these categories from reliable, third-party resources such as state bar associations and individual firm websites. Data is accurate as of June 2024.

We evaluated attorneys based on the following metrics.

Qualifications (15%):

• Active business license
• Public records check
• Practice areas
• Overall reputation of law school

Experience (15%):

• Years of membership in state bar
• Ethics and bar disciplinary history

Reputation (30%):

• High regards in top legal publications
• Positive reviews
• Accolades from colleagues

Client Experience (25%):

• Free consultations

Diversity and Inclusivity (15%):

• Bilingual services

We considered only attorneys without disciplinary history who have been licensed for at least five years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Car Accidents in Durham

What will an average Durham car accident lawyer charge for their services?

How do I get a report of my accident in Durham?

Is North Carolina considered a no-fault state for car accidents?

The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.