Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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What happens if we invoke the appraisal clause in my insurance policy, and how does that process work? — Durham, nc
Invoking an appraisal clause usually means you and the insurance company agree to use a neutral valuation process to set the amount of the loss (the…
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What happens if the campus says it can’t provide insurance details without a formal claim notice? — Durham, nc
In North Carolina, it’s common for a campus or other public entity to route insurance questions through its legal office and to ask for a written…
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What happens if the campus does not respond to a request for its liability insurance information? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, a campus entity may not have to voluntarily provide its liability insurance information just because you asked for it. If the…
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What happens if I treated somewhere that isn’t listed in the paperwork you sent over? — Durham, nc
Usually, it’s not a problem—but it does need to be corrected. If you treated at a provider that isn’t listed on the medical authorization or intake…
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What happens if I don’t have a copy of the police report for the accident? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, not having a copy of the police crash report usually does not stop you from pursuing a claim. You can often request the report…
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What are the medical records and bills you sent me for, and do I need to confirm every place I got treatment? — Durham, nc
In a North Carolina car accident claim, we request medical records and bills to prove what injuries you had , when symptoms started , what treatment…
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If the insurance form asks for a doctor’s signature or verification, does the doctor send that directly to my lawyer? — Durham, nc
Often, yes—your doctor’s office can send the completed verification directly to your lawyer if you (1) sign the right authorization and (2) the form…
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If the adjuster won’t increase the offer after getting my appraisal report, what are the next steps to push the claim forward? — Durham, NC
If an adjuster won’t move after you provide an appraisal report, the next steps are usually to (1) force a clear written explanation of the valuation…
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How often should I update my lawyer about my medical appointments and treatment progress? — Durham, NC
In most North Carolina personal injury cases, you should update your lawyer every time something meaningful changes in your treatment—new…
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How long do I have to report a slip and fall on campus before my claim could be denied? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, there often is not one universal “reporting deadline” that applies to every campus slip-and-fall, but waiting can still hurt your…
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How is diminished value calculated for a vehicle that wasn’t totaled but had major repairs? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, diminished value is usually measured by the difference in the vehicle’s fair market value right before the damage and right after…
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How do my ER visit, follow-up doctor care, and imaging affect what my injury claim is worth? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, your ER visit, follow-up care, and imaging usually matter because they create a timeline that helps connect the crash to your…
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How do I get the campus’s general liability insurance information after a slip and fall? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, there usually is not a simple “public lookup” for a campus’s general liability insurance details. The practical path is to…
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How do I fill out a lost-wages form after an accident, including the time I missed work? — Durham, NC
In a North Carolina injury claim, a lost-wages form should clearly show when you missed work , why you missed work (because of accident-related…
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How do I challenge my insurance company’s low offer when I have an independent appraisal showing a much higher value? — Durham, NC
In North Carolina, the most effective way to challenge a low valuation is to force the insurer to explain its numbers in writing, then use your…
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How can I file a claim if I was a passenger in my own car when another driver rear-ended us? — Durham, nc
Updated: February 2026 Effective July 1, 2025, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 increased North Carolina’s minimum auto liability limits from…
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Does it matter that the accident involved an animal instead of another driver when I’m asking for diminished value? — Durham, NC
It can matter, but not because “diminished value” is only for crashes with another driver. In North Carolina, diminished value is a way to measure…
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Does it matter for my claim if the people in the other car switched drivers after the accident? — Durham, NC
Yes. If the occupants switched drivers after a crash, it can affect your claim because it creates a factual dispute about who was actually driving…
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Does being pregnant at the time of the crash change what medical issues and damages can be included in my case? — Durham, NC
Yes. In North Carolina, pregnancy can change what medical issues get evaluated and documented after a crash, and it can affect the types of damages…
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Do I need to sign a medical authorization form so my lawyer can request my medical records from the doctor? — Durham, NC
Usually, yes. In North Carolina, your doctor’s office will typically require a signed medical authorization before it will release your medical…
