Under North Carolina rules, once you sign a representation agreement with a law firm, you should direct all bodily-injury discussions and medical-bill negotiations to your attorney. Insurers sometimes reach out right after a crash, hoping you’ll settle quickly for a low amount. If an adjuster calls you about medical bills or pain-and-suffering compensation, politely let them know you’re represented and provide your attorney’s contact information. Why? Speaking to the adjuster yourself can lock you into an early, undervalued offer. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 58 authorizes insureds to assign their claim for bodily injury to their lawyer. Once the carrier knows your lawyer handles your case, they must communicate with that office, not you directly. You can still handle property‐damage claims—repairs to your car, towing, rental reimbursement—on your own, unless your attorney offers to manage that too. By funneling all medical-bill and injury discussions through your attorney, you preserve leverage. Your lawyer will gather your treatment records, confirm ongoing or future medical needs, and negotiate a settlement that fairly covers past expenses, anticipated care costs, and compensation for pain and lost wages.

After a car accident in North Carolina, securing accurate medical records and bills proves vital for maximizing your claim. Your attorney will send you an intake packet that includes:

1. A medical‐records request authorizing your law firm to collect treatment files and billing statements directly from providers.
2. An intake form asking for personal details, accident date, injury description, and doctor or therapist contacts.

Once you complete and sign these documents, you mail them back in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided. Your lawyer then formally requests all relevant records from your primary care provider, emergency department, specialists, physical therapy clinics, and any other treatment sources. Under North Carolina’s health‐care privacy laws and HIPAA, signed authorizations speed up the process. After you finish treatment—once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)—your attorney compiles the medical summary, total expenses, and a documented prognosis. Then they negotiate with the insurer for a settlement that covers past bills, future care needs, and non-economic losses. This structured approach ensures no treatment goes unbilled and prevents insurers from claiming gaps in your medical history. You focus on your recovery while your lawyer handles the paperwork and negotiations.