Understanding the Problem

If you were rear-ended and insurance companies keep calling, you may be asking: “Can I make the adjusters stop contacting me and require them to talk to my lawyer instead?” In North Carolina, this usually comes up right after a crash when you are still getting medical care and the insurers want statements, authorizations, or quick settlement discussions.

Apply the Law

North Carolina does not have a simple “one-form” statute that automatically blocks all adjuster contact the moment you hire a lawyer. Instead, the controlling rule is practical and procedural: once your attorney notifies the insurers in writing that you are represented, insurers typically communicate through counsel to avoid disputes about what was said, what was authorized, and whether communications were fair. If an insurer’s conduct crosses the line into unfair or deceptive claim-handling, North Carolina law provides tools that may apply depending on the facts and the type of coverage involved.

Key Requirements

• You actually hire a lawyer (representation begins): The insurer generally will not route communications through counsel until it has the attorney’s name and contact information and knows the lawyer represents you for the claim.
• Your lawyer sends a written notice to each relevant insurer: A letter of representation (often with the claim number, date of loss, and parties) tells the adjuster to stop contacting you and to direct calls, emails, and requests to counsel.
• You stop engaging directly once represented: If you keep taking calls and giving details, it can undermine the “all communications through counsel” boundary and create inconsistent statements.
• Limit what you sign and say until counsel reviews it: Adjusters often request recorded statements and broad medical authorizations; your lawyer can evaluate what is appropriate and what is overbroad.
• Document continued contact after notice: Save voicemails, screenshots, call logs, and letters. Your lawyer can use this to demand compliance and, if needed, support arguments about improper claim practices.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1 (Unfair or deceptive acts or practices) - General statute that can apply to unfair or deceptive conduct in commerce; whether it applies to a particular insurance-claim scenario depends on the facts and related insurance statutes/case law.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.3A (Prelitigation mediation of insurance claims) - Allows a process for pre-suit mediation in certain insurance-claim situations and includes tolling rules once a request is filed.

Note: North Carolina also regulates unfair claim-settlement practices in the Insurance Code, but the exact statute section and how it can be enforced can vary by claim type. If your case turns on those rules, your attorney should confirm the specific citations for your situation.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, multiple insurers are contacting you after a rear-end chain-reaction crash with a total-loss vehicle and ongoing treatment. That is a common situation where adjusters push early for a recorded statement, broad medical releases, or a quick settlement before the full picture of your injuries and time missed from work is clear. Once you retain counsel, a written letter of representation to each insurer (your own carrier and the at-fault driver’s carrier) is the standard way to redirect communications and reduce the risk of misunderstandings or harmful statements.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Your attorney. Where: Sent directly to each insurance adjuster/claims department handling the claim in North Carolina. What: A “letter of representation” (sometimes called a “notice of representation”) with the claim number, date of loss, and a clear instruction that all communications go through counsel. When: As soon as you hire the lawyer—ideally before you give any recorded statement or sign any broad authorization.
2. Next step: Your lawyer confirms the correct adjuster and claim number for each carrier, then funnels requests (vehicle damage documents, medical records, wage verification) through an organized process. Timeframes vary by insurer and how quickly records are available.
3. Final step: Once your treatment and documentation are developed enough to evaluate the claim, your lawyer typically sends a settlement demand package and negotiates directly with the insurer(s), with you kept informed and asked to approve any settlement decision.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Recorded statements: Adjusters often say a statement is “required.” Sometimes they mean “required for us to keep processing,” not “required by law.” Once you have counsel, let your lawyer decide whether, when, and how any statement should happen.
• Broad medical authorizations: A blanket release can allow the insurer to dig into unrelated history. Your lawyer can often provide targeted records instead of signing an open-ended authorization.
• Property-damage vs. injury communications: Even if your lawyer handles the injury claim, there may be separate property-damage issues (total loss valuation, rental, lien payoff). Make sure everyone is clear on what your attorney is handling so you do not accidentally keep taking calls “just about the car.”
• Multiple insurers calling: In chain-reaction crashes, more than one carrier may contact you. Your lawyer should notify each one; otherwise, the “wrong” adjuster may keep calling simply because they never received representation notice.
• Social media and casual comments: If you keep talking to adjusters, it is easier for small inconsistencies to be used against you later. Keep communications controlled and consistent through counsel.

Conclusion

To get insurance companies to stop calling you and communicate through your lawyer in North Carolina, you generally need your attorney to send a written letter of representation to each insurer and then you should stop discussing the wreck directly with adjusters. This helps protect you from pressure for recorded statements, overly broad authorizations, and early settlement talk before your injuries are fully understood. Your next step is to have your lawyer send the representation notice promptly and track the 3-year filing deadline from the crash date.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with repeated insurance calls after a car wreck and want communications routed through your lawyer, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you set that boundary, handle adjuster requests, and keep your claim on track. Call [CONTACT NUMBER] to talk about next steps.

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.