Short Answer

In North Carolina, if you already have ER records and imaging, you should keep them organized, make sure you also have the complete billing records, and avoid sending incomplete or altered copies to an insurance adjuster. You will usually still need “official” records directly from the providers (including radiology images and reports) to prove your injuries and to address medical bill repayment issues like Medicaid. If you plan to make a claim, track every provider, every date of treatment, and every work restriction so nothing gets missed.

Understanding the Problem

If you were hit as a pedestrian in North Carolina and you already have ER paperwork and imaging from the same-day visit, the key question is what you should do next so those records actually help your injury claim (and don’t create gaps or confusion). In plain terms: can you rely on what you already have, or do you still need to request additional records and bills from the ER and follow-up providers?

Apply the Law

North Carolina injury claims often rise or fall on documentation: what the medical providers recorded, what the imaging showed, what treatment was recommended, and what the bills were. Even when you already have copies, insurers and lawyers typically need complete, provider-issued records and itemized billing to evaluate the claim and to resolve medical repayment rights (for example, Medicaid’s right to be repaid from certain recoveries). Also, North Carolina law recognizes medical provider liens in certain situations, and those liens can depend on proper notice and documentation.

Key Requirements

• Complete records (not just summaries): ER discharge instructions alone rarely show the full story. You generally need the full chart (triage notes, physician notes, nursing notes, orders, and test results) and the radiology report.
• Imaging “report” and “images” are different: The written radiology report explains findings; the actual images (CT/MRI/X-ray files) may matter later if another doctor reviews them.
• Complete billing documentation: Keep itemized bills and payment/adjustment information (especially important when Medicaid paid), not just a “balance due” screenshot.
• Clear treatment timeline: A clean list of every provider, date of service, and reason for the visit helps prevent “missing treatment” arguments.
• Work status documentation: If you cannot work, you need written work restrictions or notes from a treating provider, plus wage documentation from before and after the crash.
• Protect privacy while proving the claim: Be careful with broad authorizations and casual sharing; once information is out, you cannot pull it back.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-57 (Medicaid subrogation rights) - Gives North Carolina Medicaid a right to recover certain medical assistance payments from a beneficiary’s recovery and sets procedures and timing for disputes and notice.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider liens) - Creates a lien on personal injury recoveries for certain medical-related charges and includes requirements tied to itemized statements/notice.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-44.1 (Hospital medical records) - Addresses how hospital medical records may be received as evidence in court when properly tendered/certified.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you already have ER records and imaging after a pedestrian crash with police/EMS involvement, you are ahead of many people—but you still want to confirm you have the complete chart and the complete billing, not just a discharge packet. Since you have Medicaid coverage, you also need to treat billing and payment records as part of the “medical records” picture, because Medicaid repayment issues can come up if there is a settlement or judgment. And because you cannot work, your medical file should clearly show work restrictions and functional limits, not just pain complaints.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (or your attorney). Where: With each provider’s medical records department (hospital/ER, radiology group, physical therapy clinic, specialists). What: Request the “complete medical record” and a separate request for “itemized billing,” plus the radiology report and the imaging files (often on a disc or secure download). When: As soon as you can, while providers can still easily locate everything and while you can still correct mistakes in the chart.
2. Build one clean packet: Keep a single folder (digital or paper) with (a) records, (b) imaging reports, (c) imaging files, (d) bills, (e) prescriptions and PT home exercise plans, and (f) work notes. Create a one-page timeline listing each visit date and provider.
3. Share strategically: If an insurance adjuster asks for records, consider providing targeted documents (for example, the ER record and the PT evaluation) rather than signing a broad authorization that allows a fishing expedition. If you hire a lawyer, the lawyer typically collects certified records/bills directly from providers and handles lien/Medicaid repayment issues as part of settlement.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Thinking “records” means “just the ER discharge papers”: Discharge instructions often omit key details (mechanism of injury, exam findings, imaging impressions, and follow-up recommendations). Ask for the full chart and the radiology report.
• Only saving what you can print from a portal: Patient portals can be incomplete. Insurers may question whether portal printouts are complete or final. Provider-issued records and itemized bills are usually more reliable for claims.
• Missing the billing side: For injury claims, bills matter as much as diagnoses. With Medicaid, repayment/subrogation issues can arise even when you personally did not pay out-of-pocket.
• Overbroad authorizations: A broad medical authorization can pull in unrelated history and create distractions. Narrow requests to crash-related treatment when possible.
• Gaps in treatment: If you stop PT or skip follow-ups, insurers often argue you healed or were not hurt. If you must pause care (transportation, cost, scheduling), document the reason and communicate with the provider.
• No written work restrictions: “I can’t work” is not the same as a provider’s written restrictions. Ask your treating provider to document restrictions and expected duration, and keep pay records to support wage loss.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, having ER records and imaging is a strong start, but you should still gather the complete medical chart, the radiology reports and image files, and the itemized billing from every provider. Because Medicaid may have repayment rights from any recovery, keep billing and payment records organized from the beginning. Your next step is to request the complete records and itemized bills directly from each provider as soon as possible so you can document injuries, treatment, and work restrictions accurately.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a pedestrian injury claim and you already have ER records and imaging, an attorney can help you gather complete records and bills, present them in a clear timeline, and address Medicaid repayment and medical lien issues before settlement talks get serious. To discuss your options and deadlines, 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.