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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Can a claim for a child's fall include emergency treatment, a visible facial scar, and emotional distress?
Yes. A North Carolina personal injury claim involving a child may include emergency treatment expenses, pain and suffering, a visible facial scar, and…
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Are my out-of-pocket medical copays reimbursed separately or included in the settlement?
Your out-of-pocket medical copays are usually included as part of the medical-expense component of a personal injury settlement, not paid separately on top of…
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Who is responsible when a rental-car driver did not purchase coverage from the rental company?
The rental driver may still be legally responsible if their negligence caused the collision, even though they declined optional coverage from the rental…
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Who is responsible when a rear-end collision pushes my car into the vehicle ahead?
The driver who struck you from behind is often primarily responsible when that impact forced your stopped car into the vehicle ahead.
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Who is responsible for damage to another vehicle when an unauthorized driver causes a rental-car accident?
The unauthorized driver is usually the first person potentially responsible if that driver negligently caused the crash.
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Which insurance company should I contact about a liability claim after a crash caused by someone driving a rental vehicle?
Promptly contact both the rental company or its claims administrator and the rental driver’s personal auto insurance company, even if the driver did not buy…
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What medical records and accident documents should I preserve for my injury claim?
Preserve complete medical records and itemized bills, the police crash report, photographs, witness information, insurance communications, vehicle records,…
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What information might the insurer request before reviewing my bodily injury demand?
The insurer may request basic claim identifiers, proof that your attorney represents you, medical records and itemized bills, lost-income documentation, and…
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What happens when a rental car is damaged after the renter's insurance coverage has lapsed?
A lapse in the renter's personal auto insurance does not automatically mean that no coverage exists, but it can leave the renter and driver personally exposed…
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What happens if the other driver's insurer makes a diminished-value offer that is too low?
You do not have to accept a diminished-value offer that you believe is too low. You can request the insurer’s valuation method, submit stronger market-value…
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What happens if the insurance company disputes my diminished value appraisal?
The insurance company may reject the appraisal, request more support, obtain another valuation, or make a lower offer.
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What evidence do I need to support a property-damage claim after a hit-and-run?
You should preserve evidence showing how the hit-and-run happened, whether the fleeing vehicle made contact, who owns the damaged vehicle, and the reasonable…
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What documents can verify the charges included in a healthcare lien?
An itemized billing statement and a current lien ledger are the primary documents used to verify the charges included in a healthcare lien.
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What can I do if my insurance company is not helping after a hit-and-run accident?
Put the claim in writing, ask the insurer to identify the available coverage and any missing documents, and request a written explanation for any delay or…
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Should I hire an attorney in the state where the accident happened even though I live in another state?
Usually, you should speak with an attorney licensed in the state where the accident occurred, even if you live elsewhere.
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Should I hire a lawyer in the state where the accident happened rather than where I live?
Usually, you should choose a lawyer who is licensed and able to handle a claim in the state where the accident happened, even if you live elsewhere.
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Should all of my medical treatment be considered in a personal injury settlement?
All accident-related medical treatment should be reviewed, but an insurer does not have to accept every visit or charge when evaluating a personal injury…
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How does the appraisal process work if the two appraisers cannot agree on the vehicle's lost value?
If the two appraisers cannot agree, North Carolina law calls for a qualified, disinterested umpire to review their differences and determine the amount of…
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How does an insurance company decide how much to offer for a personal injury claim?
An insurance company usually bases its offer on its assessment of fault, medical evidence, financial losses, injury-related limitations, available coverage,…
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How does a healthcare lien affect a bodily injury claim?
A valid healthcare lien may require part of a bodily injury recovery to be used to pay injury-related medical charges before the remaining funds are released…
