Short Answer

Yes—under North Carolina personal injury law, you can generally seek compensation for medical care that is reasonably necessary because of the crash, including ongoing pain medication, follow-up appointments, and repeat x-rays. The key is proving (1) the other driver was legally at fault, (2) your treatment is connected to the accident injuries, and (3) the charges are reasonable. Future or ongoing care can be included if there is evidence you will probably need it.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina, after a car wreck, can you make the at-fault driver (or their insurer) pay not just for the first emergency visit, but also for continuing care like pain medication, follow-up visits, and repeat x-rays when you are still treating for a broken foot?

Apply the Law

In a North Carolina injury claim, “medical expenses” are part of compensatory damages. In plain English, that means you can seek repayment for healthcare costs that were reasonably necessary to diagnose, treat, and monitor injuries caused by the crash. This often includes follow-up imaging (like repeat x-rays to check bone healing), prescription pain medication, and re-check visits—so long as your medical records support that the treatment relates to the accident injury.

Medical bills also have to be shown to be reasonable in amount. North Carolina has a statute that allows an injured person to testify about medical charges and, when proper records are provided, creates a rebuttable presumption that the amount paid (or required to be paid) is reasonable. The defense can still challenge whether the care was caused by the wreck or whether certain charges are excessive.

Key Requirements

• Fault (liability): You must show the other driver’s negligence caused the crash.
• Medical necessity: The treatment must be reasonably necessary for your condition (for example, repeat x-rays to confirm a fracture is healing as expected).
• Causation (connection to the wreck): You must show the accident caused the injury that required the medication, visits, and imaging—not a separate condition.
• Reasonable charges: The amounts billed (or the amounts actually required to satisfy the bills) must be reasonable.
• Proof and documentation: You need records showing what was done, why it was done, and what it cost.
• Future care support: If you are claiming ongoing or future medication/visits/x-rays, you need evidence that you will probably need that care going forward.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-58.1 (Proof of medical charges) - Allows the injured person to prove medical/pharmacy charges with records and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness for the amount paid or required to be paid.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider liens) - Creates a lien on personal injury recoveries for certain medical and drug charges and sets notice/itemization rules that can affect settlement distribution.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you are still treating after a motor vehicle crash that caused broken bones in your foot, ongoing care like follow-up visits, repeat x-rays, and pain medication often fits within “reasonably necessary” medical expenses. The practical issue is proof: your records should show the fracture diagnosis, the treatment plan, and why repeat imaging and medication are part of appropriate follow-up. The insurer may still dispute whether every visit, refill, or x-ray is tied to the crash or whether the charges are reasonable, so clean documentation matters.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Usually no one “files” medical bills with a court at first; you (or your attorney) present them to the at-fault driver’s insurer as part of the claim. Where: The claim is handled through insurance; if it cannot be resolved, a lawsuit is filed in the appropriate North Carolina trial court. What: Collect itemized bills, pharmacy printouts, and medical records showing diagnosis and follow-up imaging; keep proof of what was paid or what is required to be paid.
2. Document the medical reason for ongoing care: Ask your treating provider to clearly note why repeat x-rays are needed (for example, monitoring healing or hardware alignment) and whether ongoing medication is still medically appropriate.
3. Address liens before settlement is final: If providers or payers assert a lien, confirm the amounts and whether proper notice and itemization were provided so the settlement can be distributed correctly.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Gaps in treatment: Long breaks in care can make an insurer argue your later pain medication or imaging is unrelated to the crash.
• Preexisting conditions: If you had prior foot problems, you may need clearer medical documentation separating old issues from the crash-related fracture.
• “Reasonable amount” disputes: Under North Carolina law, the defense can try to rebut the presumption of reasonableness by pointing to a lower amount that would satisfy a bill or by challenging specific charges.
• Causation is not automatic: Even if services were reasonably necessary, you still must connect them to injuries caused by the wreck.
• Liens reduce what you take home: Even when you recover medical expenses in a settlement, valid medical liens may have to be paid from the recovery.

Conclusion

Yes. In North Carolina, you can generally seek compensation for ongoing medical expenses—like pain medication, follow-up visits, and repeat x-rays—if the care is reasonably necessary and tied to injuries caused by the crash, and the charges are reasonable. The next step is to gather your itemized bills and supporting medical records and submit them with your claim (or lawsuit) before the applicable North Carolina filing deadline expires.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with ongoing treatment costs after a car wreck and you are not sure how to document future care, medical bills, and liens, a personal injury attorney can help you understand what evidence matters and what timelines apply. Reach out today at [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.