Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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How does needing nerve testing or physical therapy affect the timeline of my injury case? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, needing nerve testing (like EMG/nerve studies) or starting physical therapy often extends an injury-claim timeline because it can…
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How do medical bills and health insurance liens get paid out of a personal injury settlement? — Durham, NC
Updated: February 2026 N.C.G.S. § 44-49(b) was amended in 2023 to establish a specific response deadline for medical providers claiming a lien.…
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How can I prove the other driver was at fault if the crash happened in a parking lot? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, you usually prove parking-lot fault the same way you prove fault on a road: by showing the other driver was careless and that…
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How can I handle the other driver’s insurance company calling me after a rear-end accident if I’m still treating? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, you usually do not have to give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement just because they ask—especially while…
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Do you need anything from me now that I’m done treating with my chiropractor? — Durham, NC
Usually, yes—but it’s mostly paperwork and a clear update, not anything complicated. In a North Carolina injury claim, once chiropractic treatment…
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Can stopping treatment affect the value of my injury claim if I still have occasional symptoms? — Durham, NC
Yes. In North Carolina, stopping treatment while you still report symptoms can make an insurer argue that you recovered, that your symptoms are…
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Can my lawyer get the ambulance and emergency room records, and how are those used in my case? — Durham, NC
Yes—your lawyer can usually obtain your ambulance (EMS) and emergency room records as long as you sign the proper medical authorization, or (in some…
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Can I switch doctors or specialists if the current referral process is delaying my treatment? — Durham, NC
Yes. In most North Carolina injury claims, you can change treating providers or seek a different specialist if a referral process is stalling—your…
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Can I still pursue my injury claim if I have gaps in treatment or miss an appointment? — Durham, NC
Yes—under North Carolina law, a gap in treatment or a missed appointment does not automatically end an injury claim. But insurers often argue that…
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Can I still make a claim if the police didn’t write a full report and only took notes? — Durham, NC
Yes. In North Carolina, you can still make an injury claim even if the officer did not complete a full crash report and only took notes. A police…
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Can I recover compensation for ongoing neck, back, and shoulder pain if I’m still treating? — Durham, NC
Yes. In North Carolina, you can pursue compensation for neck, back, and shoulder pain even while you are still treating, as long as you can show the…
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Can I recover compensation for ER bills and testing if I have health insurance coverage? — Durham, NC
Yes. In many North Carolina car accident injury claims, you can still seek compensation for reasonable ER care and diagnostic testing even if your…
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What should I do if the insurance company’s evaluation seems too low for my injuries and treatment? — Durham, NC
If an insurance company’s evaluation seems too low, the next step is usually to ask (through your lawyer, if you have one) what assumptions drove the…
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What should I do if the insurance company has already contacted me about the accident? — Durham, NC
If an insurance adjuster has already contacted you, you can be polite and responsive, but you should keep the conversation limited and documented. In…
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What should I do if I later find out I actually had some kind of health coverage at the time of the accident? — Durham, NC
If you later learn you had health coverage at the time of the accident, do not sign or return a “no health insurance” affidavit that could be…
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What should I avoid saying or doing after an accident to protect my claim? — Durham, NC
After an accident in North Carolina, avoid saying anything that sounds like you were at fault, downplaying your injuries, or guessing about what…
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What medical treatment and records does an insurer usually consider when valuing an injury claim? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, insurers usually value an injury claim by looking at (1) what treatment you received, (2) what the records say about diagnosis,…
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What is an affidavit of no health insurance, and why does the insurance company want me to sign it? — Durham, NC
An “affidavit of no health insurance” is a sworn, usually notarized statement that you did not have health insurance (or did not have health…
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What information is typically needed to confirm whether first-party coverage applies to an injury claim? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, confirming first-party auto coverage (often called “MedPay,” and sometimes UM/UIM depending on the situation) usually requires the…
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What information do I need to request a police report for my car accident? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, you can usually request a copy of the investigating officer’s crash report by providing enough details to help the agency or the…
