Short Answer

In North Carolina, medical bills and lost wages after a car accident are usually paid through (1) the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, (2) your own auto policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if the other driver has no coverage or not enough, and sometimes (3) other available coverage like medical payments coverage or health insurance. To get paid, you generally must prove the other driver was negligent, prove your bills and wage loss were caused by the crash, and avoid mistakes that can reduce or block recovery (including North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule). You also must act before the statute of limitations runs.

Understanding the Problem

If you were hurt in a North Carolina car accident and you missed work, you are likely asking how you can make an insurance claim so your medical bills and lost wages get paid without you having to carry the full cost yourself.

Apply the Law

North Carolina is a “fault” state for car wrecks. That means the main path to getting medical expenses and lost income covered is to make a bodily injury claim against the driver (and insurer) who caused the crash. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, North Carolina law requires most auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage, which can step in when you are “legally entitled to recover” from the at-fault driver.

Separately, North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, so waiting too long can eliminate your ability to recover through a lawsuit (which is often the leverage that makes insurance settlements possible).

Key Requirements

• Fault (negligence) by the other driver: You generally need evidence the other driver broke a safety rule or drove unreasonably and caused the crash.
• Injury and damages: You must show you were injured and you have specific losses, including medical expenses and lost wages.
• Causation: Your treatment and time missed from work must be tied to the collision, not an unrelated condition or event.
• Proof of amounts: Medical bills, records, and wage documentation (pay stubs, employer letters, tax records for self-employed) are typically required.
• Insurance coverage pathway: Payment may come from the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, or from your UM/UIM coverage if the other driver has no insurance or not enough.
• Timing and preservation: You need to report the claim, preserve evidence, and (if needed) file suit before the deadline.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Three-year limitation period) - Sets a three-year deadline for many personal injury claims, including typical car wreck injury claims.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 (Motor vehicle liability policies; UM/UIM coverage) - Requires uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage in most auto policies and includes key notice and procedure rules.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-309 (Financial responsibility required for registration) - Requires vehicle owners to maintain financial responsibility (typically liability insurance) to register a vehicle in North Carolina.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Based on the limited information provided, you were reportedly involved in a North Carolina car accident and may have a potential injury claim. To get medical bills and lost wages covered, the key questions are whether another driver was at fault, whether your medical treatment and missed work were caused by the crash, and what insurance coverage is available (the other driver’s liability coverage and/or your UM/UIM coverage). Because insurers pay based on proof, the practical focus is collecting records that connect the collision to your treatment and time off work.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: The injured person (or their attorney). Where: Usually with the at-fault driver’s auto insurer and/or your own auto insurer (UM/UIM). What: A claim with supporting documents (crash report, medical records/bills, wage proof). When: As soon as practical after the crash, and before the three-year statute of limitations expires for a typical injury lawsuit.
2. Investigation and documentation: The insurer reviews fault and damages. This is where gaps hurt claims—missing treatment records, delays in care, or unclear wage documentation can slow or reduce payment.
3. Resolution: Many claims resolve by settlement. If the insurer disputes fault or the value of medical bills/lost wages, a lawsuit in the appropriate North Carolina trial court may be needed before the deadline to preserve the claim.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Contributory negligence risk: North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule in many cases. If the insurer can prove you contributed to the crash, even slightly, it may try to deny payment. This makes early evidence collection important.
• UM/UIM procedure traps: UM/UIM claims can have special notice and timing requirements (including rules tied to lawsuits and settlements). If you settle with the at-fault driver without handling UM/UIM correctly, you can jeopardize coverage.
• Wage-loss proof problems: Insurers commonly require clear documentation of time missed and the reason you missed work (for example, work restrictions). Self-employed claimants often need additional records to show lost income.
• Treatment gaps and causation disputes: Long delays in treatment or inconsistent follow-up can give the insurer an argument that the crash did not cause all the medical care or time off.
• Signing broad releases too early: A release can end your claim even if you later discover additional treatment needs or more time missed from work.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, the usual way to get medical bills and lost wages covered after a car accident is to prove the other driver was at fault and then pursue payment through that driver’s liability insurance (or through your UM/UIM coverage if the driver is uninsured or underinsured). You must document your medical expenses and wage loss and connect them to the crash. The key deadline in most cases is three years, so the next step is to start the claim and preserve evidence well before that deadline.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with medical bills and missed work after a North Carolina car accident, a personal injury attorney can help you identify all available insurance coverage, gather the right proof, and protect you from common claim mistakes and deadline issues. Call [CONTACT NUMBER] to discuss your options.

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.