Local Wilmington truck accident lawyers helping you fight back when insurers offer lowball settlements or unfairly blame you for the crash
If you or someone you love was seriously hurt or killed in a crash involving a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle in North Carolina, you’re already facing more than the average accident victim.
Trucking companies and their insurers move fast to protect themselves, and North Carolina’s negligence laws make these cases even more challenging for injured victims. Because the state follows a strict negligence rule, the trucking company only needs to prove that you were even slightly at fault to block your recovery entirely.
That’s why having a skilled local truck accident attorney on your side is essential.
At Wilder Pantazis Law Group, our Wilmington truck accident lawyers bring more than 85 years of combined experience to these high-stakes cases. We understand how commercial carriers operate, how their insurers defend claims, and what it takes to fight back against trucking companies with significant financial and legal resources.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Wilmington or anywhere in New Hanover County, contact Wilder Pantazis Law Group for a free consultation.
Our local North Carolina injury attorneys are ready to help you hold the right parties accountable and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Level the playing field against commercial carriers and their insurers.
Reach out to Wilder Pantazis Law Group for the local legal help you deserve.
Visit us at our Wilmington office
Hear it straight from our clients
Always went the
extra mile
Absolutely the best decision my husband and I ever made. We were overwhelmed and unsure of our legal rights during what was undoubtedly one of the most challenging times of our life. Beau Wilder and Vince and miss Cho, we can’t thank you enough you guys for all the support from day 1. You guys were extremely professional, and knowledgeable, and always went the extra mile to support my husband in his case. We appreciate and respect Wilder Pantazis Law Group for giving us more than what we expected.
– Monisha H.
Went above
and beyond
I’m so happy I made the right decision to work with you all. Jen and Vince went above and beyond to get the settlement I greatly deserve. If I ever need an attorney in the future I will choose you guys again. I have no regrets. Highly recommended!!!!
– Thneshia R.
Couldn’t ask for a better experience
I’ve never been hurt previously to me reaching out to them, but they handled my case with such care, grace, and knowledge. Truly very happy with everything that they did. Beau is absolutely amazing. Cho was also very helpful throughout the entire process. I couldn’t ask for a better experience.
– Damon B.
Legal advice from top-rated North Carolina lawyers who truly care
Every client who comes through our doors is treated like family, and we take pride in understanding your unique story and concerns. We work every day to make our clients’ lives better, to help them recover in all aspects of their lives – financially, emotionally and physically.”
– Attorney Beau Wilder
FAQs about truck accident claims in North Carolina
What is the negligence rule in NC for truck accidents?
North Carolina follows one of the toughest negligence standards in the country: pure contributory negligence.
Under this rule, if the insurance company can prove that you were even 1% at fault for the crash, you will be barred from recovering any compensation at all—even if the truck driver or trucking company was overwhelmingly responsible.
This rule gives trucking insurers a powerful advantage, and they know it. Their adjusters are trained to look for anything they can twist into partial fault, such as:
- An offhand comment you make at the scene
- A statement that you “didn’t see” the truck
- Confusion about the timeline
- Social media posts
- Minor discrepancies in your description of the crash
Even perfectly innocent statements can be used to shift a fraction of blame onto you—and under North Carolina law, that’s often enough for them to deny your claim completely.
Because commercial carriers have aggressive legal teams and insurers who specialize in minimizing payouts, it’s crucial to speak with a Wilmington truck accident attorney before giving any statement. Your lawyer can:
- Shield you from insurance tactics designed to place blame on you.
- Gather evidence quickly so the trucking company isn’t controlling the narrative.
- Handle all communication and negotiations on your behalf.
- Protect your right to compensation from day one.
The bottom line: A local North Carolina truck accident lawyer can protect your claim by ensuring you aren’t giving the insurance company anything they can use against you.
How much liability insurance do trucking companies have?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial trucks weighing more than 10,001 pounds (including cargo) to have a minimum of $750,000 in insurance liability coverage—if they’re carrying non-hazardous materials. Those weighing less than 10,001 pounds must carry $300,000 in liability coverage.
Commercial semi trucks carrying hazardous materials (regardless of weight) must have between $1 million and $5 million in liability coverage, depending on the specific materials they’re transporting.
Unfortunately, even though trucking companies carry very high liability insurance limits, that doesn’t mean the insurer will offer you anything close to what your case is truly worth.
Trucking insurers count on injured people accepting quick, low settlements before they understand the full impact of the crash, but it’s essential not to settle your case until you know the full extent of your injuries.
A $25,000 offer might feel significant at the time, but it won’t go far if you end up needing surgery, long-term rehabilitation, extended time off work, or treatment for chronic pain or PTSD.
Before you make any decisions, always speak with a local Wilmington truck accident attorney near you who can evaluate the true value of your claim, including future medical needs, long-term disability, pain and suffering, and more.
This is especially true for drivers injured while driving for work in Wilmington, as they may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits in addition to compensation through a truck accident claim.
How long do I have to file a claim after an accident with a truck in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, you generally have 3 years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury claim. If a serious truck accident like a rollover crash, underride crash, or reckless driving accident results in death, the deadline for a wrongful death claim is 2 years.
It’s also important not to wait until the last minute. Evidence in trucking cases can disappear quickly:
- Driver logs are only kept for a short time.
- Black box (ECM) data can be overwritten.
- Surveillance and dashcam footage may be erased.
- Witnesses become harder to track down.
- Vehicles get repaired or destroyed.
The sooner you involve an attorney experienced in accidents with trucks, the sooner they can preserve this evidence and begin building a strong case before any evidence fades or is lost.
Let us help you get results like these
Tractor trailer motor vehicle collision, wrongful death of a child
Wrongful death of child, school bus case
(Pedestrian accident)
MTBI and orthopedic injuries
(Trucking accident)
Looking for the best truck accident lawyers in Wilmington?
When you’re facing serious injuries, mounting bills, and trucking companies that move fast to protect themselves, you need a legal team that knows how to level the playing field.
Wilder Pantazis Law Group brings more than 85 years of combined experience fighting for truck crash victims in Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington, and all across North Carolina, so we understand exactly how to approach cases involving major trucking carriers and their insurers.
If you want a local attorney who knows Wilmington, knows the law, and knows how to win tough trucking cases, reach out to Wilder Pantazis Law Group for a free consultation.
We’re here to protect your rights, maximize your compensation, and handle the fight so you can focus on healing.