NC Personal Injury Law Blog
This blog covers personal injury law in North Carolina -- crash cases, wrongful death, insurance law changes, and the legal rights of people hurt on NC roads. Every post is written or reviewed by Julian Doby, a personal injury attorney based in Graham, NC who has practiced in Alamance, Orange, Chatham, and Caswell Counties for 28 years.
We cover real crashes on real NC roads. We cover the law that applies when someone is killed or injured in those crashes. And we cover the things insurance companies count on you not knowing -- contributory negligence, recorded statement traps, the July 2025 insurance minimum changes, and what the two-year wrongful death deadline actually means.
If something you read here applies to your situation, call (336) 221-8900. The consultation is free.
What We Cover
The blog focuses on personal injury law in North Carolina, with particular attention to crashes, wrongful death cases, and legal developments affecting injured people in Julian's four-county practice area: Alamance County, Orange County, Chatham County, and Caswell County.
Topics Covered:
Fatal and serious crash cases on NC roads -- what families need to know about their legal rights
North Carolina personal injury law -- contributory negligence, statutes of limitations, insurance minimums
Wrongful death in NC -- the two-year deadline, who can file, and what damages are recoverable
Car accident, truck accident, and motorcycle accident cases
NC law updates -- including the July 2025 insurance minimum changes under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21
Hit-and-run cases and uninsured motorist coverage
DWI-related crash cases and punitive damages
About the Author
28 years handling wrongful death cases in Alamance County:
I've been practicing personal injury and wrongful death law in these courts since 1998. I know the Alamance County Historical Courthouse's civil procedures and I know District 17 Superior Court. I also handle cases in Orange County Superior Court in Hillsborough for crashes near Exit 157 at Buckhorn Road.
I handle both the personal injury and estate aspects: Wrongful death cases require competency in both personal injury law and estate administration. The personal representative appointment, the filing requirements, the distribution rules under the Intestate Succession Act, and the litigation itself all need to work together. I know how all of it works.
Local credentials: North Carolina State Bar #25407, admitted 1998. Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D. 1998. District 17 Judicial District Bar, Treasurer. Born and raised in Alamance County. Western Alamance High School.
7 miles from Mebane: My Graham office is at 110 W. Elm Street, approximately 2 blocks from the Alamance County Historical Courthouse where your wrongful death case would be filed. I am not a distant firm that refers cases. I handle them.
I know how to deal with insurance companies: Insurance companies don't intimidate me because I've dealt with them all for 28 years. In wrongful death cases they move fast and they use tactics. I know those tactics and I know how to counter them.
If Something Here Applies to Your Situation…
Reading a blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you or someone in your family has been hurt in a North Carolina crash and you have questions about your legal rights, call (336) 221-8900 or use the contact form at juliandoby.com/contact.
We handle personal injury cases in Alamance, Orange, Chatham, and Caswell Counties. The initial consultation is free. If you have a case, we will tell you. If you do not, we will tell you that too.
Avoid These Common Mistakes After a Car Accident
Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving you feeling shaken and unsure of what to do next.
Claiming Injury Compensation After a North Carolina Accident
If you’ve been injured in a North Carolina accident, it’s critical to understand that the state applies a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even 1% at fault, you won’t receive compensation.
Compensation in Auto Accident Cases: Understanding Your Rights
You’re entitled to fair compensation post auto accident, but understanding your rights can be tough.
What Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Case?
When you’re involved in a personal injury case, especially following an automobile accident, what types of damages can you recover?
Understanding Automobile Liability Insurance: Insights from Julian Doby
What does your car insurance really cover in the event of an accident?
What Is Contributory Negligence in North Carolina Law?
Contributory negligence is a legal principle that significantly affects personal injury cases in North Carolina.
In-Depth Guide to Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina
Wrongful death claims in North Carolina can be intimidating, especially during a time of loss. You’ll need to understand who’s eligible to file these claims and the specific damages you might recover.
Fatal DWI Crash in Burke County – What Families Need to Know About Passenger Death Claims
A Ford F150 went off NC 181 near Fish Hatchery Road in Burke County Friday night, striking a tree and killing the passenger. The driver faces multiple charges after investigators determined speed and impairment caused the crash.
1,000+ NC Winter Storm Crashes: Don’t Make These Mistakes
The winter storm that hit North Carolina from January 30 to February 1, 2026 wasn’t just a weather event. It created a serious public safety crisis on our roads.
The Kannapolis I-85 Pileup: What Happens When One Crash Traps 100 Vehicles
On January 31, 2026, over 100 vehicles became trapped on Interstate 85 North in Kannapolis, North Carolina during a major winter storm.
Fatal Boating Accident in White Marsh – Life Jacket Laws and Legal Rights After Columbus County Drowning
Charles D. Godwin, 72, drowned Thursday afternoon when his boat capsized while fishing under a bridge in White Marsh near Red Hill Road off Puncheon Branch in Columbus County.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in Brunswick County: What the Crash Data Actually Shows
Brunswick County roads are getting more dangerous every year.
Man Killed After Hitting Snow Removal Equipment on U.S. 74 in Rutherford County NC
A man who drove the same highway thousands of times is dead after his truck struck a snow removal vehicle during storm cleanup. His wife is still in the hospital. His family wants answers.
NC’s Largest Landfill Takes Action to Cut Odors and Address Forever Chemicals Contamination
Will transparency be enough to rebuild trust in the Sampson County Landfill’s environmental practices?
QUEENS UNIVERSITY STUDENT KILLED IN CHARLOTTE HIT-AND-RUN – WRONGFUL DEATH RIGHTS WHEN DRIVER RUNS RED LIGHT
A former Queens University athlete and current MBA student was killed Wednesday night when an unlicensed driver ran a red light and struck him at an intersection in east Charlotte, then fled the scene.
Multi-Vehicle Head-On Crash Near Calabash on Hickman Road – What Injured Drivers Should Know
A multi-vehicle crash on Hickman Road near Calabash sent several people to the hospital on the morning of February 6, 2026, after a pickup pulling an enclosed trailer hit ice and lost control, triggering a chain reaction.
SELMA HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT LEAVES PEDESTRIAN DEAD – WRONGFUL DEATH RIGHTS IN NORTH CAROLINA
A pedestrian was killed Saturday night on Crocker Street near Selma when a vehicle struck him and kept going.
Hit-and-Run Driver Flees After Killing Pedestrian on Highway 17 in Jacksonville
What kind of person hits someone with their vehicle and drives away? Edgar Solis was crossing Highway 17 near Evergreen Drive in Jacksonville Monday night when he was struck by a vehicle.
Jamesville Crash Injures 4: Teen Runs Red Light at US-64 and NC-171
When an 18-year-old driver ran a red light at one of Martin County’s busiest intersections early Friday morning, four people ended up in the hospital and a major state highway had to be shut down.
Motorcycle Crash on Highway 24 in Carteret County – Legal Rights for Injured Riders
An SUV turning left onto Bay Drive struck an eastbound motorcycle on Highway 24 near Brandywine Boulevard in Carteret County on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. The collision occurred around 12:30 p.m. east of Morehead City.
Legal Disclaimer: The posts on this blog are for general informational purposes only. They are not legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Julian M. Doby or Julian Doby Law. Every case is different and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed North Carolina attorney. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.