Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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Can I recover lost wages if a doctor says I cannot return to work after a car accident? — Durham, NC
Yes, lost wages may be part of a North Carolina car accident injury claim if you can show that the crash caused your injuries, your medical provider…
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Can emotional distress and loss of independence be part of a personal injury settlement? — Durham, NC
Yes. In a North Carolina personal injury settlement, emotional distress and loss of independence may be part of the non-economic damages often…
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Can both the driver and the child passenger have separate injury claims from the same accident? — Durham, NC
Yes. In North Carolina, a driver and a minor child passenger can have separate injury claims from the same car accident because each person has their…
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Can an insurance company issue a settlement check before liens are resolved? — Durham, NC
Yes. In many North Carolina personal injury claims, an insurance company can issue a settlement check after the release is signed even if lien review…
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Can a property owner be responsible for negligent security after an assault? — Durham, NC
Yes, a property owner or operator may be responsible for negligent security after an assault in North Carolina, but only if the evidence shows the…
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Can a medical provider request a letter of representation for a personal injury patient? — Durham, NC
Yes. A medical provider may ask a personal injury patient’s law firm for a letter of representation to confirm that the firm represents the patient…
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Can a medical provider get a police report from a patient's personal injury lawyer? — Durham, NC
Sometimes, but a medical provider does not automatically have a right to receive a police report from a patient’s personal injury lawyer. In North…
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Can a medical lien be reduced after a personal injury settlement? — Durham, NC
Yes, a medical lien can sometimes be reduced after a personal injury settlement, but the reduction is not automatic. In North Carolina, valid medical…
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Can a lawyer contact the insurance company for me after a car accident? — Durham, NC
Yes. A lawyer can usually contact the insurance company for you after a car accident once the lawyer has enough identifying information and authority…
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Can a guardian ad litem review a settlement agreement before a court approval hearing? — Durham, NC
Yes. In a North Carolina personal injury settlement that requires court approval, a guardian ad litem generally should be allowed enough time and…
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Why is a driver's license or driver exchange form needed for a car accident claim? — Durham, NC
A driver's license or driver exchange form is often needed because it helps confirm who was involved, locate the correct crash report, identify the…
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Why do emergency room visits result in separate bills from different medical providers? — Durham, NC
Emergency room visits often create separate bills because the hospital, emergency physicians, imaging providers, labs, and follow-up providers may…
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What should I understand before signing a personal injury settlement release? — Durham, NC
A personal injury settlement release is usually the document that makes the settlement final and allows the insurance company to issue payment.…
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What should I do if the insurance company is handling my damaged vehicle but I still need medical treatment after a crash? — Durham, NC
Keep the vehicle damage claim and the injury claim organized, but do not assume they are the same thing. In North Carolina, getting your car repaired…
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What should I do if the insurance adjuster will not discuss my passengers' medical bills because I have an attorney? — Durham, NC
You should ask your attorney to clarify, in writing, who the attorney represents and who the adjuster may contact about the passengers. In North…
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What should I do if my doctor extends my time out of work after an injury? — Durham, NC
If your doctor extends your time out of work, get the updated work-status note in writing and send it to the person helping prepare your North…
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What should I do if I was injured by a criminal act on someone else's property? — Durham, NC
Act quickly to protect your safety, medical records, police documentation, and evidence from the property. In North Carolina, a property owner is not…
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What should I do if I have neck, back, and hip pain after a car accident but the x-rays did not show a fracture? — Durham, NC
You should continue following your medical providers’ instructions, keep records of your symptoms and treatment, and avoid assuming that “no…
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What should I do if an insurance adjuster has not discussed my claim yet? — Durham, NC
If an insurance adjuster has not discussed your claim yet, stay organized, let your attorney handle carrier communications, and do not assume the…
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What medical records should I keep after an injury if I am still treating with my regular doctor? — Durham, NC
Keep every record that shows what care you received, why you received it, what symptoms you reported, what bills were incurred, and how the injury…
