Short Answer

In North Carolina, you prove leg fractures and bone fragments with clear medical documentation and supporting records. Gather your emergency department records, diagnostic imaging (X-rays/CT) with radiology reports, treating provider notes, and itemized medical bills. Add photos of your injuries and vehicle damage, a pain/treatment journal, employer wage verification, and proof of transportation problems that affected follow-up care.

Understanding the Problem

You want to know exactly what evidence helps prove leg fractures with bone fragments after a crash. In North Carolina personal injury cases, the injured person builds the claim by collecting medical proof, documenting how the collision happened, and tying lost income and daily limitations to the injury. Here, you were rear-ended while stopped at a green light, and you need to show the extent of injury, treatment, and resulting losses.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, injury and damages are proven with competent evidence, typically medical records and testimony, supported by authenticated business records. Medical records and bills can be admitted through the business-records exception or by certification. The amount of recoverable medical expenses shown to a jury is limited to amounts actually paid or still owed. Personal injury lawsuits are filed in North Carolina’s trial courts (District or Superior Court, depending on the amount sought), and most claims must be filed within three years of the crash.

Key Requirements

• Medical proof of injury: Emergency records, imaging (X-rays/CT), radiology reports, operative notes, and follow-up records that clearly diagnose fractures/bone fragments and document treatment.
• Authenticating records: Obtain certified medical records/bills or use a custodian affidavit so they qualify as business records without live testimony.
• Reasonable medical charges: Show amounts actually paid and any balances still owed for treatment; avoid relying on gross “sticker price” bills alone.
• Causation link: Records and provider opinions that tie the fractures to the rear-end crash, plus consistent complaints and minimal unexplained gaps in care.
• Lost wages and function: Employer wage verification, pay stubs, tax records, and doctor notes on work restrictions to prove time missed and reduced capacity.
• Corroborating evidence: Photos of injuries and vehicle damage, the crash report number, witness info, and a pain/treatment journal. Keep original imaging discs and track custody.

What the Statutes Say

• North Carolina Rules of Evidence, Rule 803 (Hearsay exceptions; business records) - Allows admission of qualified business records, including medical records.
• North Carolina Rules of Evidence, Rule 902 (Self-authentication) - Permits certified domestic records to be admitted without live testimony.
• North Carolina Rules of Evidence, Rule 414 (Medical expenses) - Limits proof of medical expenses to amounts paid or necessary to satisfy outstanding bills.
• G.S. 1-52 (Three-year statute of limitations) - Most personal injury claims must be filed within three years.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Your emergency department chart, X-rays/CT scans, and radiology report will document the leg fractures and bone fragments. Certified records and itemized bills will authenticate treatment and show amounts paid or owed. Photos of the totaled car and your injuries, plus an employer letter and pay stubs, will substantiate lost work time. If transportation issues delayed follow-up, keep records (tow receipts, rental denials, transit receipts) to explain any treatment gaps.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You or your attorney. Where: First to the at-fault insurer; if suit is needed, file in the North Carolina District or Superior Court in the proper county. What: Request complete certified medical records, imaging discs, and itemized bills; obtain employer wage verification; gather photos and witness info. When: Start immediately; most lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash.
2. Serve subpoenas for any missing records or imaging if providers do not respond to written requests. Expect providers to take a few weeks to produce records; follow up to avoid delays.
3. Assemble a demand package for the insurer with medical proof, bills (amounts paid/owed), wage loss verification, photos, and your journal. If no fair resolution, file the lawsuit before the deadline.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Medical bill “sticker prices” may be reduced at trial to amounts actually paid or owed; keep EOBs and provider balances.
• Crash reports can help identify parties and witnesses, but they may include hearsay; focus on admissible records and firsthand testimony.
• Unexplained treatment gaps can hurt causation; document transportation barriers and rescheduled appointments.
• Authenticate photos and imaging: keep originals, note dates, and maintain custody of discs and files.
• Social media posts can be used against you; avoid posting about injuries or activities.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with serious leg fractures after a rear-end crash and need to build strong evidence, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today.

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.