Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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Do I need a lawyer to handle a property-damage-only car accident claim, or can I negotiate with the insurance company myself?
In North Carolina, you usually can negotiate a property-damage-only car accident claim yourself, especially when fault is clear and the dispute is only about…
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Do I have a slip-and-fall case if I was injured on someone else’s property?
You may have a slip-and-fall case in North Carolina if a property owner or occupant failed to use reasonable care to keep the premises reasonably safe (or to…
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Can I still recover compensation if the property owner says the hazard was obvious or I was partly at fault?
Sometimes, but it is harder in North Carolina than in many states. North Carolina generally follows a “contributory negligence” rule, which can bar recovery…
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Can I still pursue diminished value if I didn’t bring it up until weeks after getting the vehicle back?
Usually, yes. In North Carolina, a diminished value claim is part of your property-damage losses from the crash, and raising it weeks after repairs is not…
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Can I still bring a claim if my health insurance paid some of the medical bills but didn’t cover everything?
Yes. In North Carolina, you can still bring a personal injury claim even if your health insurance paid part of your medical bills.
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Can I start treatment with a chiropractor or doctor if I don’t have money upfront, and have it paid from a settlement later?
Yes—sometimes you can start treatment in North Carolina without paying upfront if a provider agrees to wait and be paid from your injury settlement later.
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Can I recover lost wages if I’ve been out of work and the accident made my condition worse?
Yes—under North Carolina personal injury law, you can seek lost wages (and sometimes reduced future earning ability) if a crash caused you to miss work or…
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Can an injured person recover lost wages if they are taken out of work after a slip and fall?
Yes. In North Carolina, lost wages can be part of the damages in a slip-and-fall claim if the fall was caused by someone else’s negligence and the time missed…
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Who is responsible for paying my medical bills if I don’t have health insurance after a car accident?
In North Carolina, the hospital and doctors will usually bill you first if you do not have health insurance, even if someone else caused the crash.
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What should I do if the insurance company says they don’t see that I went to the doctor after my car accident?
In North Carolina, an insurer’s letter saying they “don’t see” medical treatment usually means they do not yet have records that connect your injuries to the…
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What should I do if the insurance company is calling me or asking for a recorded statement?
In North Carolina, you usually do not have to give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement right away (or at all) to protect your injury…
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What information should I send my lawyer about my ongoing treatment and appointments?
In a North Carolina personal injury case, you should send your lawyer a clear, dated update that shows (1) where you are treating, (2) what appointments you…
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What happens if my treatment plan changes or I need a referral to a different provider?
In a North Carolina personal injury claim, your medical care can change over time, and referrals to different providers are common.
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What happens if my settlement is already finalized but the health plan says it has a lien or reimbursement claim?
In North Carolina, a “finalized” injury settlement does not automatically wipe out a valid health-plan reimbursement claim.
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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 still…
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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.
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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 can be…
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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.
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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.
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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.
