Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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What can happen if the insurance companies do not respond to a settlement demand?
An insurer’s silence does not automatically accept the settlement demand, admit fault, or require payment.
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Who may be responsible when a bus pulls into another vehicle's path and causes a collision?
The bus driver, the public agency or private company operating the bus, and sometimes another driver may be responsible, depending on how the collision…
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Who decides whether to accept a settlement in a personal injury case?
You decide whether to accept or reject a settlement of your personal injury claim.
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When can an insurer stop providing a rental car after declaring my vehicle a total loss?
An insurer generally does not have to provide a rental car indefinitely after a vehicle is declared a total loss.
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What should I do after receiving urgent-care treatment for injuries from a rear-end collision?
Follow the urgent-care provider’s instructions, arrange any recommended follow-up, and keep complete records of your symptoms, treatment, medication,…
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What should I consider before giving accident photos to the other driver's insurance company?
Before sending accident photos, preserve the original files and consider what the images show about vehicle damage, impact location, fault, and the…
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What should I check in a release to make sure it does not give up rights beyond the property damage claim?
Check that the release is limited expressly to property damage and does not settle bodily injury, medical expenses, benefit-program recovery rights, or every…
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What happens if the insurance company denies my injury claim or makes a settlement offer?
A denial or settlement offer usually does not end your options. You may ask for the insurer’s reasoning, provide additional evidence, negotiate, or consider…
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What happens if a lien cannot be verified after settlement documents are signed?
If a possible lien cannot be verified, some or all settlement proceeds may remain on hold while the attorney or insurer determines whether the claim is valid…
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What does third-party lien verification mean after a car accident settlement?
Third-party lien verification means checking whether a medical provider, government benefit program, health plan, or another entity has a legally enforceable…
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What documents should I provide for out-of-pocket therapy expenses and missed work?
Provide itemized therapy bills, proof of each payment, treatment records, and a list matching each expense to a therapy date.
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What compensation can an injured passenger seek for ongoing back, arm, and shoulder pain after a car accident?
An injured passenger may seek compensation for accident-related medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, reduced ability to perform normal…
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What can I do if the insurer's total-loss offer is not enough to replace my car with a dependable vehicle?
You can ask the insurer to explain its valuation, identify the vehicles it used for comparison, and reconsider any incorrect mileage, trim, options,…
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Should my personal injury firm handle requests from the other driver's insurer about vehicle damage?
Usually, you should forward the request to your personal injury firm before sending vehicle-damage photos directly to the other driver’s insurer.
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Should I send photos of my vehicle damage directly to the other driver's insurance company?
If a personal injury firm already represents you, send the photos to your attorney first rather than responding directly to the other driver’s insurer.
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If the claim was only for property damage, can a total release also waive injury or medical claims?
Yes. In North Carolina, settling property damage alone ordinarily does not waive injury or medical claims, but a properly executed written agreement can do so…
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How does continued medical treatment affect my car accident injury claim?
Continued medical treatment can help document your injuries, symptoms, recovery, and accident-related expenses, but treatment should follow your providers’…
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How does an insurer determine the fair market value of a totaled car?
An insurer generally estimates what your car was worth immediately before the crash, not what a new vehicle costs or what you still owe on your loan.
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How does an insurance company calculate a settlement offer from my treatment, expenses, and lost income?
An insurance company usually evaluates documented medical expenses, lost income, the effect of the injuries, fault, and available coverage rather than…
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How do I prove lost income if I am a self-employed owner-operator?
You can prove lost income by showing what your owner-operator business normally earned, which work you missed because of the accident or related treatment,…
