Understanding the Problem

If you are pursuing a North Carolina injury claim after a motor-vehicle incident and your law firm has sent a letter of representation that is limited to bodily injury (not property damage), you may wonder: can the auto insurer still contact you directly about the injury claim after you hired a lawyer?

Apply the Law

North Carolina injury claims are typically handled through an insurance claim process before any lawsuit is filed. Even though an insurance adjuster is not the same as the other driver’s lawyer, direct contact after the insurer has notice that you are represented can create real risks—especially if the insurer is trying to obtain a recorded statement, medical authorizations, or a quick settlement. As a practical rule, once representation is clear, your attorney should be the point of contact for the bodily-injury portion of the claim, while property-damage issues may still be handled directly if your representation letter says that is excluded.

Key Requirements

• Clear notice of representation: The insurer needs to know you hired counsel for the bodily-injury claim (usually through a letter of representation and claim number).
• Stay within the scope of representation: If your attorney’s letter says representation is for bodily injury only, the insurer may still contact you about property damage, rental car, or vehicle title issues.
• Protect your statements and paperwork: Anything you say or sign can affect fault, medical causation, and the value of the claim, even if the contact seems “routine.”
• Document ongoing direct contact: Keep voicemails, emails, letters, and the dates/times of calls so your attorney can address the pattern.
• Route communications through your lawyer: You can tell the insurer you are represented for bodily injury and provide your attorney’s contact information.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1 (Unfair or deceptive acts or practices) - Declares unfair or deceptive acts in or affecting commerce unlawful; certain insurance-claim conduct can overlap with these rules depending on the facts.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38 (Prelitigation mediation of insurance claims) - Provides a process an insurer may use to request prelitigation mediation and includes tolling rules once a request is filed.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, a law firm is sending a letter of representation to the auto insurer and making clear the representation is limited to bodily injury, not property damage. If the insurer continues contacting the passengers directly about the injury claim (for example, asking for a recorded statement or medical authorizations), that creates a risk of inconsistent information and avoidable pressure. The cleanest approach is to direct all bodily-injury communications to your attorney while still handling only the property-damage items directly if that is truly outside the lawyer’s scope.

Process & Timing

1. Who responds: You (briefly) and then your attorney. Where: With the insurance adjuster handling the claim in North Carolina. What: A short written message (email or letter) stating you are represented for bodily injury and directing all injury-related communications to your lawyer; provide your lawyer’s contact information. When: As soon as the direct contact happens again.
2. Next step: Your attorney follows up with the insurer to confirm the scope (bodily injury only) and to demand that injury communications go through counsel; your attorney can also clarify what, if anything, you will handle directly for property damage.
3. Final step: If the direct contact continues, your attorney can escalate by documenting the conduct, addressing it in writing with the insurer’s supervisor, and evaluating whether the pattern affects claim handling or settlement discussions.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Representation limited to bodily injury can invite confusion: an adjuster may claim they are calling “only about property damage,” then slide into injury questions. Stop the conversation and redirect it.
• Recorded statements and broad medical authorizations can hurt an injury case if they are given without context or limits. Let your attorney control the timing and scope.
• Friendly check-ins can still be claim investigation. If you discuss symptoms, prior injuries, work status, or activities, the insurer may treat it as evidence.
• If a minor is involved, be especially cautious about signing anything on the child’s behalf without legal review, because settlement steps for minors can be more formal and mistakes can delay resolution.

Conclusion

If the insurance company keeps contacting you directly after you hire a lawyer for your North Carolina injury case, you should generally stop discussing the bodily-injury claim and direct the insurer to your attorney—especially if they want a statement, authorizations, or a quick settlement. If your representation is limited (for example, bodily injury only), the insurer may still contact you about property damage, but you should not let those conversations drift into injury issues. Next step: have your attorney send (or resend) a written demand that injury communications go through counsel before any further discussions.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with an insurer that keeps contacting you directly after you’ve hired counsel for an injury claim, a personal injury attorney can help you protect your statements, control the flow of information, and keep the claim on track with the right timelines and paperwork. Reach out today.

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.