NC·State Guide
Personal Injury Law in North Carolina
Key rules for personal injury claims in North Carolina — statute of limitations, fault system, damage caps, insurance requirements, and government claim deadlines.
Key Points — North Carolina
- 01Contributory negligence — even 1% fault bars recovery entirely
- 023-year statute of limitations
- 03No cap on compensatory damages
- 04One of only a few contributory negligence states
Rules at a Glance
- Statute of Limitations
- 3 years from the date of injury
- Fault System
- Contributory negligence — North Carolina uses pure contributory negligence. If the injured person is even 1% at fault, recovery is completely barred.
- Damage Caps
- No general cap on compensatory damages. Punitive damages capped at 3x compensatory or $250,000, whichever is greater.
- Government Notice Deadline
- No specific short notice period for most government claims.
- Auto Insurance System
- At-fault state.
- Minimum Liability Coverage
- 30/60/25.
- Workers' Comp Deadline
- Report within 30 days. File claim within 2 years.
Fault System in North Carolina
North Carolina uses pure contributory negligence. If the injured person is even 1% at fault, recovery is completely barred.
Auto Insurance in North Carolina
At-fault state.
Minimum required liability coverage: 30/60/25..
General information only. This page explains common concepts in plain language. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. For any specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.