Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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What happens if my employer refuses to fill out the lost-wages form?
In North Carolina personal injury claims, an employer usually does not have a legal duty to complete your attorney’s “lost-wages form,” but you can…
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Should I talk to the insurance company before hiring a lawyer, and what should I avoid saying?
In North Carolina, you can speak with an insurance adjuster before hiring a lawyer, but you should keep the conversation limited and careful. The…
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If the other side’s insurance denies coverage, can I still recover through my own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
Yes—often you still can. In North Carolina, if the at-fault vehicle has liability insurance but the liability insurer denies coverage , the vehicle…
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If the claim is being handled under the other driver’s insurance, can my own auto policy still provide benefits?
Yes. In North Carolina, your own auto policy can still provide benefits even if the other driver’s liability insurer is handling the main claim. The…
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How often should I expect updates from my attorney while we’re waiting on medical records?
In North Carolina, your attorney should keep you reasonably informed about your case and respond to reasonable requests for information. While there…
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How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?
In North Carolina, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within 3 years of the health care provider’s last act that caused the injury. If…
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How does finishing treatment affect the value of my injury claim?
In North Carolina, finishing medical treatment (or reaching a stable point in treatment) often makes it easier to value an injury claim because your…
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How do I use medical-pay coverage to reimburse EMS and emergency room bills after an accident?
In North Carolina, you typically use “medical payments” (MedPay) coverage by opening a MedPay claim with your auto insurer, then submitting itemized…
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How do I make sure the insurance company only talks to my lawyer about my injury claim and not the property damage part?
In North Carolina, you can direct the insurance company to communicate with your lawyer about the bodily injury claim by sending a clear letter of…
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Do I have to agree to lien-protection language before the insurance company sends the final settlement payment?
Usually, no—North Carolina law does not automatically require you to sign broad “lien-protection” or “hold harmless” language as a condition of…
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Do I have a case after a car accident if the other driver says it was my fault?
Yes, you may still have a case in North Carolina even if the other driver says the crash was your fault. What matters is whether you can prove the…
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Can the insurance company change the settlement amount after we’ve agreed to it, and what can I do if they try?
Usually, once you and the insurance company have a clear agreement on a final settlement amount, the insurer should not be able to unilaterally…
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Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Sometimes, but North Carolina is strict. In most negligence-based car accident cases, if you were even 1% at fault and your fault helped cause the…
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Can I still pursue a claim if the insurance company has already contacted me or offered a settlement?
Yes. In North Carolina, an insurance company contacting you or even making an early settlement offer does not, by itself, stop you from pursuing an…
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Can I recover compensation for ongoing therapy and related PTSD symptoms as part of my injury case?
Yes. In North Carolina, an injury claim can include compensation for mental health treatment (like therapy) and for the impact PTSD symptoms have on…
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Can I recover compensation for ongoing pain medication, follow-up visits, and repeat x-rays?
Yes—under North Carolina personal injury law, you can generally seek compensation for medical care that is reasonably necessary because of the crash,…
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Can I recover compensation for medical visits, imaging, and follow-up care even if I have health insurance?
Yes. In North Carolina, having health insurance does not automatically prevent you from seeking compensation from the at-fault driver for reasonable…
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Can I accept an increased offer now, or should we keep negotiating for a better settlement?
In North Carolina, you can accept an increased settlement offer at any time, but you should usually do it only after you understand what you are…
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Can a lawyer help me deal with the other driver’s insurance company after a car accident?
Yes. In North Carolina, a lawyer can communicate with the other driver’s insurance adjuster for you, gather and present the information needed to…
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Will my health insurance have to be paid back from any settlement, and can that amount be reduced?
In North Carolina, you may have to reimburse your health insurer (or a government program) from a personal injury settlement if it paid…
