Firm news
Articles from the firm
Guidance written by the attorneys who handle the cases — on car accidents, insurance, liens, and what happens after an injury in North Carolina.
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Have all my medical bills and records been received for my personal injury case?
No. The medical bills have been received, but the file is still missing medical records from one medical provider.
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Does being even minimally at fault prevent an injured driver from recovering compensation under contributory negligence rules?
Potentially, but not merely because an insurer alleges some fault. Under North Carolina contributory negligence rules, the defense generally must prove that…
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Does a wrongful death insurance settlement require court approval?
Sometimes. In North Carolina, court approval is generally required unless every person entitled to recover certain wrongful death damages is a competent adult…
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Do I need to complete anything before traveling abroad during my personal injury case?
Usually, there is no standard form you must complete simply because you are traveling abroad during a North Carolina personal injury claim.
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Can vehicle damage photos be used to determine who was at fault in a car accident?
Yes. Vehicle damage photos can help show where the vehicles made contact and whether an account of the collision fits the physical evidence, but photos rarely…
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Can underinsured motorist coverage apply when another driver's policy also provides coverage?
Yes. Underinsured motorist coverage is designed to address covered bodily injury or death damages that exceed the available liability coverage for the…
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Can the other driver's insurance company deny the entire claim by alleging that my child's vehicle lights were not on?
Yes, the insurer can deny the claim based on alleged contributory negligence, but its allegation does not automatically establish that your child was at fault.
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Can my minor relative have a separate injury claim after suffering a head injury in the same crash?
Yes. A minor passenger may have a separate North Carolina personal injury claim even when an adult driver is also injured in the same crash.
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Can my auto insurance policy provide additional coverage for my spouse's fatal accident?
Yes, your separate auto policy may provide additional uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for your spouse’s fatal accident, but coverage depends on…
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Can my adult child make an injury claim if another driver turned left in front of him while he had the right-of-way?
Yes. An adult child may bring his own North Carolina injury claim if evidence shows that another driver negligently turned left across his path and caused the…
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Can medication use and ongoing daily pain help document my injuries if I have not returned to a doctor?
Yes. Medication records and consistent notes about daily pain can help document an injury, but they usually do not replace follow-up medical records.
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Can I travel outside the country while my personal injury case is pending?
Yes. A pending North Carolina personal injury claim or civil lawsuit usually does not prevent you from traveling outside the country.
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Can I recover compensation if another driver crossed to the wrong side and hit my car as I exited a parking lot?
Yes, you may be able to recover compensation if the evidence shows that the other driver crossed into the wrong side of the roadway and caused the collision.
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Can I arrange legal help for my adult child, or does he need to speak with the attorney himself?
You may make the first call and help gather information, but your adult child generally must speak with the attorney and decide whether to hire the firm.
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Can an insurer deny my adult child's accident claim for failing to keep a proper lookout when another driver turned across her lane?
Yes, an insurer can deny the claim based on an allegation that your adult child failed to keep a proper lookout, but the denial is not a final legal ruling.
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Can an insurance company make a policy-limits offer directly to the family before an estate is opened?
Yes. An insurance company may communicate a policy-limits offer to the family before an estate is opened, but family members generally cannot accept and…
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What happens to my injury claim if medical imaging does not show a clear injury but I continue to have discomfort?
Your injury claim does not automatically end because an X-ray, MRI, or other scan did not show a clear injury.
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What happens if a possible lienholder does not respond to a request for lien information?
A possible lienholder’s silence does not always mean the settlement funds can be released immediately.
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What can I do if an insurance-approved body shop is not repairing my car correctly?
Document the problems, notify both the repair shop and insurance adjuster in writing, and request a reinspection and a written plan for correcting the work.
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How should I document ongoing pain after I stop receiving treatment?
Keep a dated, honest record of your symptoms and how they affect specific daily activities, work, sleep, and mobility.
