What This Question Usually Means
Most people asking this are worried about two things: (1) whether their case is now “ruined” because time passed, and (2) whether switching lawyers will create extra cost or delay. In many situations, a stalled case can still be evaluated and moved forward, but the first priority is confirming what deadlines apply and what evidence still exists.
What to Gather for a Case Review
- Basics of the incident: The date of the crash, where it happened (city/county), and a simple description (for example, “rear-ended while I was a passenger”).
- Injury/treatment overview: What symptoms started right away, what care you received (for example, ambulance and emergency room), and what has happened since.
- Insurance/claim info (if available): Any claim numbers, adjuster contact information, and whether you were in someone else’s vehicle as a passenger.
- Documents: Photos, the crash report if you have it, discharge papers, bills you’ve received, and any letters/emails you have from the prior lawyer or insurance.
What Happens After the First Call
- Initial screening: The lawyer will confirm the crash date, where it happened, and whether there are any immediate deadline concerns.
- Document review: The lawyer will usually want to see the prior fee agreement and request the case file to understand what investigation was done, what records were obtained, and whether any settlement talks occurred.
- Next steps: Depending on what’s missing, the next steps often include confirming insurance/coverage basics, gathering medical records and bills, and documenting how the injuries affected daily life (even if you did not miss paid work).
How This Applies
Apply to your facts: Because you were a passenger in a rear-end crash and a police report and ambulance transport occurred, there may be helpful starting documentation already. The biggest “stuck point” sounds like the lack of follow-up care due to no health insurance, which can make insurers question whether symptoms continued and what treatment was needed. A new review would typically focus on what records exist from the emergency visit, whether any additional records can be obtained, and what evidence supports ongoing neck, back, and shoulder problems.
Conclusion
If a prior lawyer did not move your North Carolina accident case forward, you can usually seek a second opinion and consider switching counsel. The key is to act before deadlines and evidence problems make the case harder to prove. A practical next step is to gather your crash date, any claim information, and the records you already have, then ask a licensed North Carolina personal injury attorney to review the status and request the prior file.
