Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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Can my spouse bring a slip and fall claim after falling on slick stairs at a rented townhouse? — Durham, NC
Yes, your spouse may be able to bring a North Carolina slip and fall claim, but a fall and injury alone do not establish liability. The claim will…
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Can my personal injury claim move forward if one medical provider has not sent its bill yet? — Durham, NC
Yes. A missing medical bill does not prevent every part of a North Carolina personal injury claim from moving forward, but it may delay a complete…
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Can my injury claim move forward once my medical treatment is complete? — Durham, NC
Yes. Completing medical treatment often allows a North Carolina injury claim to move into a more active evaluation and negotiation stage. Final…
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Can lost wages and medical treatment be included in a slip and fall injury claim? — Durham, NC
Yes. A North Carolina slip and fall claim may include medical expenses and income lost because of the injury, but the injured person must connect…
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Can I still speak with a lawyer if I was not seriously injured in a car accident? — Durham, NC
Yes. You may speak with a lawyer even if your injury was minor or you never received medical treatment. A lawyer can review the crash paperwork,…
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Can I pursue an injury claim for my child who was hurt in the same car accident? — Durham, NC
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can generally pursue a North Carolina injury claim on behalf of a child hurt in the same car accident, but the…
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Can I bring a slip and fall claim if I fell on polished wooden stairs inside a leased townhouse? — Durham, NC
Possibly. A North Carolina slip and fall claim may exist if the wooden stairs were unreasonably dangerous and the owner, landlord, property manager,…
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Can I bring a car accident claim if I was hit by a law enforcement vehicle? — Durham, NC
Yes, you may be able to bring a claim after being hit by a law enforcement vehicle in North Carolina. However, the proper claim process depends on…
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Can I accept a property damage check for my totaled car while my injury claim is still open? — Durham, NC
Yes, you can generally accept a check that settles only the property damage to your totaled car while keeping your bodily injury claim open. North…
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Can a traffic ticket affect my car accident injury claim? — Durham, NC
Yes. A traffic ticket can affect a North Carolina car accident injury claim, especially when the insurer argues that the cited driver helped cause…
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Can a passenger make an injury claim after a crash when their partner was driving? — Durham, NC
Yes. A passenger may make an injury claim when their partner was driving if the partner or another driver negligently caused the crash and the…
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Can a guest recover compensation for cracked vertebrae after a fall in someone else's rental home? — Durham, NC
Yes, a guest may be able to recover compensation, but an injury alone does not establish responsibility. Under North Carolina law, the claim usually…
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Why does my personal injury lawyer need copies of my and my spouse’s health insurance cards before finalizing a settlement? — Durham, NC
Your lawyer likely needs the cards to identify every health plan that may have paid accident-related bills and determine whether any plan has a lien…
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Who has authority to make decisions about a vehicle accident claim involving a partnership? — Durham, NC
Authority depends on who owns the claim, the type of partnership, and the partnership agreement. An injured person normally controls their own bodily…
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What should I review before signing a final settlement statement after a car accident claim? — Durham, NC
Before signing, confirm that the statement correctly shows the gross settlement, attorney’s fee, case expenses, payments to medical providers or…
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What should I do if I was injured in a car accident and want to speak with an attorney? — Durham, NC
Arrange a private conversation with a North Carolina personal injury attorney as soon as reasonably possible, and gather the basic records related to…
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What should I do if I am in therapy after a car accident? — Durham, NC
Continue making treatment decisions with your medical providers, follow their instructions, and keep accurate records of your therapy, bills,…
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What should I do if an insurance adjuster contacts me after I hire a lawyer? — Durham, NC
Tell the adjuster that you are represented, provide your lawyer’s contact information, and politely direct further claim communications to the law…
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What should I do if a serious motor vehicle accident involves a business partnership? — Durham, NC
Act quickly to identify the driver, vehicle owner, business entity, partners, insurers, and purpose of the trip. Under North Carolina law, a…
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What should I do after a motor vehicle accident if I may need legal help? — Durham, NC
Protect your safety, report the accident when required, exchange information, document the scene, and keep records related to your injuries and…
