Firm news
Accident Q&A series
-
Can the insurance company require a settlement release before sending the policy-limits check?
Yes. In North Carolina, it is common for an insurance company to require a signed settlement release before it issues a policy-limits settlement check,…
-
Can I apply for children’s survivor benefits using only a marriage certificate and the children’s birth certificates if the death certificate information is being disputed?
Usually, you can start the process for children’s survivor benefits with a marriage certificate and the children’s birth certificates, but most benefit…
-
What information should be included in an update while a demand is under negotiation?
In North Carolina personal injury negotiations, a useful “case update” should give the other side (or the reviewing law firm) only the new, verifiable…
-
What information or authorization do I need to include when requesting medical records for an injury claim?
In North Carolina, a medical provider will usually require a signed, HIPAA-compliant authorization from the patient (or a legally authorized representative)…
-
What happens if the insurance company’s final offer is still below the minimum amount I’m willing to accept?
If the insurer’s “final” offer is below what you’re willing to accept, you generally have three choices: keep negotiating, reject the offer and prepare to…
-
What happens if my doctor schedules more appointments after I thought I was done treating?
In North Carolina, it’s common for a treatment plan to change, including adding follow-up visits, therapy, or referrals after you thought you were finished.
-
What happens after a personal injury demand is sent and the other side starts negotiating?
In North Carolina, once a personal injury demand package is sent, the other side (often an insurance adjuster) typically reviews liability, medical records,…
-
What can I do if the police say they can’t find any record of my accident?
In North Carolina, a crash can feel like it “disappeared” even when it happened—because the report may be filed under a different agency, a different location…
-
What can I do if a medical office does not respond to a request for records and billing statements?
In North Carolina, you usually start by confirming the medical office has a valid, properly completed authorization and that your request went to the right…
-
How do my medical appointments and records get shared with the insurance company or the other side?
In most North Carolina injury claims, your medical information is shared because you (or your lawyer) sign a written medical authorization, or because the…
-
How do I decide the minimum settlement amount I should accept for my injury claim?
In North Carolina, a practical way to set a “minimum acceptable” settlement is to start with what you can prove (medical bills, lost income, and other…
-
How are health insurance and ambulance liens paid back from a car accident settlement?
In North Carolina, repayment usually happens at the end of the case, when the settlement money is being distributed.
-
Can I still recover for my injuries and missed work if I left the scene to go to the hospital?
Often, yes. In North Carolina, leaving a crash scene to get medical help does not automatically prevent you from recovering for injuries or lost…
-
Can I negotiate a settlement demand without filing a lawsuit?
Yes. In North Carolina, many personal injury claims are negotiated and resolved through a pre-suit demand process with the at-fault party’s insurer, without…
-
Can a medical provider send records directly to an attorney handling an injury case, or do they have to send them to the patient first?
In North Carolina, a medical provider can usually send records and bills directly to your attorney if the patient signs a proper written authorization that…
-
Will Medicaid have to be paid back from my car accident settlement, and can that amount be reduced?
Often, yes. In North Carolina, Medicaid can seek reimbursement from a car accident settlement for Medicaid-paid, accident-related medical care, because…
-
Where do we stand right now in my injury case, and what is the next step?
Based on what you shared, your case is in the “case development” stage: treatment has ended, and your legal team is waiting on the last medical records and…
-
What types of compensation can I seek for pain, medical bills, and car damage after being hit on the driver’s side?
In North Carolina, a driver hit on the side can typically pursue compensation for (1) injury-related losses (like medical expenses and pain and suffering) and…
-
What should I do if my arm pain keeps getting worse while I’m waiting on nerve testing?
If your arm pain is getting worse while you’re waiting on nerve testing, focus on two things at the same time: (1) getting the issue back in front of your…
-
What should I do if I only went to the emergency room and haven’t had follow-up care because I don’t have insurance?
In North Carolina, an ER visit alone can still support an injury claim, but a lack of follow-up care often gives the insurance company room to argue your…
