Short Answer

North Carolina law expects injured people to make reasonable efforts to get needed medical care and to document that care. If you can’t drive, use alternatives like telehealth, medical transportation, rides from others, or home-health services, and keep a clear paper trail (appointments, bills, receipts, and a symptom log). Report the hit-and-run to police and your own insurer promptly, and open any uninsured motorist (UM) and MedPay claims. Gaps in treatment can hurt your claim.

Understanding the Problem

You were hurt in a school-zone crash, taken by EMS to the hospital, and you haven’t followed up because you can’t drive. In a North Carolina personal injury claim, the key question is: how can you continue treatment and build solid documentation when transportation is the barrier? The answer matters because insurers and courts look for consistent care and records, especially when the other driver fled and is unknown.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, you must take reasonable steps to treat your injuries and avoid unnecessary worsening (often called “mitigating damages”). Consistent, documented care is the backbone of a bodily injury claim. When the at-fault driver flees, your own policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply, but prompt reporting and independent corroboration in no-contact situations are often required. Many policies also include medical payments (MedPay) coverage that can help with treatment costs regardless of fault. Lawsuits for personal injury generally must be filed within three years in civil court (District or Superior, depending on the amount in controversy).

Key Requirements

• Keep getting care: Make reasonable efforts to follow discharge instructions using alternatives like telehealth, home-health, or medical transport if you cannot drive.
• Document everything: Save appointment confirmations, visit summaries, bills, receipts, and keep a simple symptom and pain log.
• Notify insurers promptly: Report the crash to your own insurer and open UM and MedPay claims as soon as possible; hit-and-run claims often have strict notice terms.
• Preserve corroboration: Get the independent witness’s full contact information and a signed statement if possible, especially if no vehicle contact occurred.
• Mind deadlines: North Carolina generally allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit; policy notice deadlines can be much shorter.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Limitations of actions) - Generally provides a three-year period to file personal injury claims.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166 (Duty to stop in event of crash) - Sets hit-and-run obligations; helps explain why UM may be needed when the other driver flees.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 (Motor vehicle liability policies; UM/UIM) - Governs uninsured motorist coverage, including claims involving unidentified vehicles.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You left the ER with head, knee, and arm injuries and haven’t followed up because you can’t drive. Under the duty to mitigate, switch to telehealth visits where appropriate, ask for home-health or at-home physical therapy, and use medical transport or rides from others to keep care continuous. Because it’s a hit-and-run with an unknown driver and unclear contact, protect a UM claim by promptly reporting to police and your insurer and securing the witness’s full statement to corroborate the event. Keep all records and receipts so your damages are provable.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You. Where: With your medical providers (to schedule telehealth/home services), your local police department (to ensure the crash is reported), and your own auto insurer (to open UM/MedPay claims). What: Insurer claim setup, a simple written summary of the crash, your policy information, and HIPAA releases for records. When: Report to your insurer and police as soon as possible; lawsuits for personal injury generally must be filed within three years in North Carolina.
2. Arrange transportation: ask your providers about telehealth, home-health, or medical transport; check whether your insurer, MedPay, Medicaid, or local transit programs can assist. Schedule follow-ups within the timeframe your discharge papers recommend.
3. Gather proof: keep visit summaries, prescriptions, bills, receipts, and a brief symptom log; share updated records with your insurer during the claim. If the claim cannot be resolved, consult counsel about filing in District or Superior Court within the limitations period.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Gaps in treatment or missed appointments can be used to argue you weren’t seriously injured; reschedule promptly and document why any appointment was missed.
• No-contact hit-and-run claims often require independent corroboration; rely on the witness’s statement, not only your own account.
• Failing to report promptly to police or your insurer can jeopardize UM coverage under policy terms.
• Poor documentation (no receipts, no symptom log) weakens damages; keep a simple folder or digital file with dates and costs.
• Posting about your activities on social media can conflict with reported symptoms; keep posts minimal and factual.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with follow-up care after a hit-and-run and transportation is the barrier, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at [919-341-7055].

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.