Firm news
Accident Q&A series
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How can I file a car accident claim if I do not have the other driver's insurance policy number? — Durham, NC
You can usually start a car accident claim without the other driver’s policy number by giving the insurer enough information to identify the driver,…
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How can I authorize access to emergency response reports after my spouse died in an accident? — Durham, NC
For confidential EMS medical records, you can usually authorize access by signing a properly completed medical-records release in the legal capacity…
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Does learning about unpaid accident-related medical bills later affect the deadline for bringing an injury claim? — Durham, NC
Usually, no. Under North Carolina law, later discovering that accident-related medical bills remain unpaid generally does not restart or extend the…
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Do I need to respond when I receive a letter about a settlement lien? — Durham, NC
Yes, you should review and address a settlement-lien letter rather than ignore it. The letter may request information, identify payments a public…
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Do I need a medical referral before starting physical therapy for accident injuries? — Durham, NC
Usually, North Carolina law does not require you to obtain a medical referral before a licensed physical therapist evaluates and treats an…
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Can valid hospital or health insurance liens be reduced before my settlement is distributed? — Durham, NC
Yes. A valid hospital lien or health plan reimbursement claim may sometimes be reduced through a North Carolina statutory limit, a proportional…
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Can the at-fault party's insurer be required to reimburse health coverage that paid for my accident treatment? — Durham, NC
Yes, in some cases the at-fault party’s insurer may have to account for payments made by Medicare, Medicaid, the North Carolina State Health Plan, or…
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Can receiving chiropractic care and physical therapy at the same time affect my injury claim? — Durham, NC
Yes, receiving chiropractic care and physical therapy at the same time can affect your injury claim, but overlapping treatment does not automatically…
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Can my spouse pursue workers' compensation benefits and a claim against the other driver? — Durham, NC
Yes, your spouse may be able to pursue both North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits and a personal injury claim against the other driver. The…
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Can my spouse pursue a car accident injury claim if the crash happened while working? — Durham, NC
Yes. If another driver caused the crash, your spouse may be able to pursue a personal injury claim even though the collision happened while your…
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Can my spouse file a lawsuit if the insurance company will not make an acceptable settlement offer? — Durham, NC
Yes. If your injured spouse has not signed a binding release and the filing deadline has not expired, your spouse may be able to sue the person or…
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Can my spouse bring a personal injury claim after being struck by a vehicle while walking? — Durham, NC
Yes. Your spouse may bring a North Carolina personal injury claim if the driver’s negligence caused the pedestrian collision and resulting injuries.…
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Can my auto insurer settle another driver's injury claim if I believe I was not at fault? — Durham, NC
Yes. Many auto policies allow the insurer to investigate and settle a covered claim when it considers settlement appropriate, even if its insured…
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Can lost income from missing work after the accident be included in the claim? — Durham, NC
Yes. A North Carolina personal injury claim may include income lost because accident-related injuries kept the injured person from working.…
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Can I still pursue the at-fault party if they agreed to pay my medical bills but never paid them? — Durham, NC
Possibly, but an agreement to pay medical bills does not automatically preserve an expired personal injury claim. North Carolina generally applies a…
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Can I seek compensation for emotional distress after a car accident if I have no diagnosed physical injury? — Durham, NC
Yes, North Carolina law may allow an emotional distress claim without a diagnosed physical injury, but the distress generally must be severe rather…
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Can I recover lost wages if emotional distress caused me to miss work after a collision? — Durham, NC
Possibly. North Carolina does not always require a physical injury for a person to recover damages caused by severe emotional distress, and proven…
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Can I pursue a property damage claim for a rental car if I was not physically injured? — Durham, NC
Yes. A North Carolina property damage claim does not require a physical injury, but the rental company usually owns the vehicle and may control the…
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Can I pursue a claim if the driver was not the registered owner of the vehicle? — Durham, NC
Yes. A North Carolina injury claim may be pursued against a negligent driver even when that person did not own the vehicle. Ownership still matters…
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Can I open an accident claim without the other vehicle's policy number? — Durham, NC
Yes. You can often report a North Carolina accident and begin the claim process without the other vehicle’s policy number if you have enough…
