Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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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?
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 clearly…
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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?
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?
In most North Carolina personal injury cases, you should update your lawyer every time something meaningful changes in your treatment—new appointments, new…
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How long do I have to report a slip and fall on campus before my claim could be denied?
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 claim.
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How is diminished value calculated for a vehicle that wasn’t totaled but had major repairs?
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 the damage.
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How do my ER visit, follow-up doctor care, and imaging affect what my injury claim is worth?
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 symptoms and…
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How do I get the campus’s general liability insurance information after a slip and fall?
In North Carolina, there usually is not a simple “public lookup” for a campus’s general liability insurance details.
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How do I fill out a lost-wages form after an accident, including the time I missed work?
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 limitations),…
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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?
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 independent…
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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?
In North Carolina, you can usually pursue an injury claim against the at-fault rear driver even if you were only a passenger in your own vehicle.
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Does it matter that the accident involved an animal instead of another driver when I’m asking for diminished value?
It can matter, but not because “diminished value” is only for crashes with another driver.
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Does it matter for my claim if the people in the other car switched drivers after the accident?
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 and who…
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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?
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 you may be…
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Do I need to sign a medical authorization form so my lawyer can request my medical records from the doctor?
Usually, yes. In North Carolina, your doctor’s office will typically require a signed medical authorization before it will release your medical records to…
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Can my insurance company be required to pay my attorney fees as part of the settlement or claim payment?
Usually, no. In North Carolina, your attorney’s fee is typically paid out of the settlement or recovery under your fee agreement, not added on top of the…
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Can I recover money for missed work if I couldn’t get to my job because my car was totaled?
Possibly, but it depends on why you missed work. In North Carolina, lost wages are usually tied to being unable to work because of your injuries, while…
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Can I include the week I couldn’t work right after the accident even if I hadn’t seen a doctor yet?
Often, yes—you can claim the first week of missed work as lost wages in a North Carolina injury claim, even if your first doctor visit happened later.
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Can a campus be held responsible if a dangerous condition caused a slip and fall on school property?
Sometimes, yes—but it depends on what kind of campus it is and whether immunity applies.
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Will changing the claim to bodily injury liability affect what medical bills and other losses can be claimed?
Usually, yes—switching a claim from MedPay to bodily injury (liability) changes what types of losses can be pursued and what must be proven.
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What can I do if the emergency room didn’t do imaging or a full evaluation but I’m still sore?
In North Carolina, it’s common for an ER visit after a crash to focus on ruling out emergencies—not doing every test or imaging study.
