Meghann Cuniff is a legal affairs journalist who is a veteran of daily newspapers and has deep experience reporting on complex civil litigation, including mass torts and class actions, securities cases, patent disputes and high-stakes litigation involving major tech companies. She's based in Southern California.
Meghann Cuniff
Meghann Cuniff is a legal affairs journalist who is a veteran of daily newspapers and has deep experience reporting on complex civil litigation, including mass torts and class actions, securities cases, patent disputes and high-stakes litigation involving major tech companies. She's based in Southern California.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Raleigh’s place in The Triangle of North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina makes it a hub for innovators and scholars. There are several longtime attorneys who helped pioneer litigation on behalf of injured people, such as wrongful death and catastrophic injury practices to medical malpractices and product and premises liability. Some have cases across the country; others are focused entirely on cases in the Raleigh area. Here are the top people to consider when looking for the best personal injury lawyer in Raleigh.
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Show Summary
- Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Raleigh
- Margaret S. Abrams
- Kristen L. Beightol
- Andrew P. Cioffi
- Laura E. Conner
- Cate Edwards
- C. Mark Holt
- T. Shawn Howard
- Ryan D. Oxendine
- William Plyler
- Kimberly Wilson White
- Compare Top Car Accident Attorneys
- Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in North Carolina
- How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Next Up
Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Raleigh
Compare Top Car Accident Attorneys
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in North Carolina
Injuries can be stressful enough without having to navigate the court system. Knowing some basics about the law can help if you want to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina. Here are a few.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations
North Carolina’s statute of limitations for injuries to people is three years, which means an injured person has three years from the time of an injury to file a lawsuit. Professional malpractice actions must be brought within two to four years, generally.
North Carolina Laws for Motorists
- Cell phones: Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone or other device while operating a motor vehicle except when calling 911 or a parent. All motorists are prohibited from manually sending or reading text messages while driving.
- Speed limits: North Carolina’s speed limit is 35 mph in municipalities, but it jumps to 55 mph in rural areas and 70 mph on certain sections of highways. School buses are restricted to 45 mph while other activity buses can’t go over 55 mph.
- Insurance: If you drive a car in North Carolina, you must have at least $30,000 in insurance for one and 60,000 for bodily injury involving two or more people. For property damage, the minimum insurance coverage is $25,000.
Finding Fault and Defining Negligence
North Carolina is one of only four states that follows a contributory negligence law that eliminates damages for any injured person who is found to have contributed to their injury. That means someone who is just 1% responsible for an injury cannot recover against the person or entity who is 99% responsible. This makes it all the more important to follow all laws, document your situation and find the best personal injury lawyer in Raleigh for your situation.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, North Carolina
Lawyers handle many types of issues, and personal injury lawyers are no exception. Here are some things to consider when finding the right attorney for your case.
- Are they comfortable in court? Your personal injury case isn’t likely to go to trial, but you still want an attorney who is experienced in the courtroom and familiar with the local rules and procedures. Look for recoveries obtained not only through settlements, but jury trials.
- Does their experience match your needs? Some lawyers are busy with complex litigation involving major product liability cases and class actions, while others focus on individual plaintiffs and smaller recoveries. Consider the scope of your situation and the depth of the lawyer’s practice.
- Do they have time to take your case? Some personal injury lawyers are stretched thin representing multiple plaintiffs in a range of cases in different jurisdictions. You want to find someone who can meet all court deadlines and get ahead of issues with opposing counsel.
- Do they have a good reputation? Attorneys develop reputations and relationships that lead to case referrals and partnerships. You want to find someone whose work history in Raleigh can help your case.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Raleigh in 2023, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a good settlement offer in a personal injury case?
Your injury may come with future medical costs that your lawyer will want to account for in settlement negotiations. You also want a settlement that covers your litigation costs and compensates for any pain and suffering you may have experienced. A good personal injury attorney will know of other possible liability angles to explore and possible third parties to pursue.
What is the average personal injury settlement amount?
The amount of your personal injury settlement depends on liability, the extent of damages, and possible insurance policies and limits. The amounts can vary widely, but a good lawyer can help you understand what you can get and how it compares to other cases.
How long do most personal injury cases take?
The length of your case can depend on the complexity of your injury and your liability claims. You may be offered a settlement quickly, but you will want to consult with an attorney before accepting anything. Litigating in court can prolong your case, but it also may get you more money.
