Short Answer

In a North Carolina car-accident injury claim, you should gather records that prove (1) how the crash happened, (2) what injuries you had, (3) what treatment you received (including imaging), and (4) how the injuries affected your work and daily life. Start with the crash report, photos, witness/insurance information, and complete medical records and bills from every provider you saw. Because you went to the ER the next day, it is especially important to collect records showing when symptoms started and why care was delayed.

Understanding the Problem

If you were hurt in a North Carolina car accident and you already have a police report, what documents should you gather now to support an injury claim when you did not go to the ER until the next day after imaging was done?

Apply the Law

In North Carolina, the strength of a personal injury case often depends on documentation. The key is collecting records that connect the crash to your injuries and losses: objective crash evidence, objective medical evidence (including imaging reports), and proof of financial impact like missed work. Medical information is generally confidential, and it is typically released only with your authorization or through a formal legal process, so having a clear plan for requesting records matters.

Key Requirements

• Crash documentation: Records that identify the drivers, vehicles, location, and what the investigating officer recorded.
• Medical proof of injury: ER records, imaging reports, diagnoses, and follow-up notes that show what was found and when symptoms were reported.
• Medical billing and insurance records: Itemized bills and explanation-of-benefits (EOB) documents that show charges, payments, and balances.
• Proof of missed work: Employer verification of dates missed and wage rate, plus pay stubs or payroll records.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: Receipts for prescriptions, medical supplies, travel to appointments, and other injury-related costs.
• Consistency over time: A simple timeline (crash date, symptom onset, first treatment, follow-ups) that matches the records.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reports; investigation; public record) - Requires an investigating officer to prepare a written crash report and provides that law enforcement crash reports are public records and certified copies are available through the Division of Motor Vehicles for a fee.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53 (Health care provider-patient confidentiality) - Treats medical information as confidential and generally released only with patient authorization or a court order in appropriate circumstances.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21 (Disclosure of medical information in certain situations) - Addresses when certain medical information may be disclosed to law enforcement in connection with a vehicle crash and when certified copies may be produced under legal process.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You already have a police report, which helps document the crash itself. Because you delayed going to the ER until the next day, your ER chart and imaging records become key for showing what symptoms you reported, when they started, and what the imaging did (or did not) show. Since you have missed work time, you should also gather employer and payroll records that match the dates you could not work.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (or your attorney). Where: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (for a certified crash report) and each medical provider’s medical records department (for ER/EMS/imaging and billing records). What: Request a certified crash report from DMV; request complete medical records and itemized billing from the ER, radiology/imaging provider, and any follow-up providers. When: As soon as possible, while providers and insurers still have easy access to records and before memories fade.
2. Build a clean “record set”: Keep a single folder (digital or paper) with (a) crash documents, (b) medical records, (c) bills/EOBs, and (d) wage-loss proof. Add a one-page timeline that lists dates only (crash, EMS contact, ER visit, follow-ups).
3. Update as treatment continues: After every visit, add the visit note, any new imaging report, and the bill/EOB. If you start physical therapy or see a specialist, request those records too so the file stays complete.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Only getting “imaging pictures” but not the report: In most injury claims, the radiologist’s written report and the ER provider’s interpretation matter as much as (or more than) the image files.
• Missing EMS documentation: If EMS evaluated you or offered transport, that record can help show early symptoms and your condition at the scene—even if you declined transport.
• Gaps and inconsistencies: When care starts the next day, insurers often focus on the gap. Make sure your records clearly reflect when symptoms began and why you did not go immediately (without exaggeration).
• Incomplete billing proof: Keep itemized bills and EOBs. A single “balance due” screenshot often does not show what was charged, what insurance paid, and what remains.
• Wage-loss documentation that is too informal: A text message from a supervisor is usually weaker than payroll records and a short employer letter confirming dates missed and pay rate.
• Over-sharing medical history: Your injury claim may require medical authorizations, but you should understand what time period and providers are being requested before signing broad releases.

Conclusion

To support a North Carolina car-accident injury case, gather records that document the crash, your injuries, your treatment (including the ER imaging report and related ER notes), and your financial losses like missed work. Because you went to the ER the next day, your timeline and the first medical records describing your symptoms are especially important. Next step: request complete ER records (including radiology reports) and itemized bills from every provider involved as soon as you can.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with injuries after a North Carolina car accident and you’re trying to gather the right records (police report, EMS notes, ER imaging, bills, and wage-loss proof), our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Reach out today. Call [CONTACT NUMBER].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.