Recorded Statements: Do I Have to Comply?

It is common for an adjuster to ask to take your recorded statement in Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury claims. This sounds harmless, right? WRONG. You should ALWAYS speak with an attorney prior to providing a recorded statement, as this statement can and will be used against you later if possible!

What is a recorded statement? A recorded statement is a series of questions that an adjuster asks you about the circumstances and events surrounding an injury claim (or any claim for that matter). Your responses are then transcribed and ultimately become an official part of your file surrounding the claim.

Do I owe taxes on my Workers’ Compensation (WC) or Personal Injury (PI) Settlement?

It’s almost tax time! Have you received a Workers’ Compensation settlement or a Personal Injury settlement and wondering if these settlements are taxable income? Some of the answers are straightforward while others are not. Keep in mind, we are not tax lawyers or certified public accountants, so you should always run tax questions by the most qualified individuals, like your accountant.

Why do I have to pay my health insurance a portion out of my Personal Injury settlement?

When individuals are involved in a Personal Injury claim, they often assume that the liability carrier, which is the insurance company for the at-fault driver, is the responsible for paying for their medical treatment directly. Unfortunately, that is not how it works.

Can I get punitive damages in a Car Accident claim in North Carolina?

Were you injured in a car wreck and curious if you are entitled to punitive damages? First off, many people may confuse “punitive damages” with “pain and suffering”. To help in understanding the difference:

*Punitive Damages: This is when there was deliberate intention involved in the accident itself.

What is Underinsured Motorist (UIM), and do I need that coverage?

Insurance coverage on your vehicle with all of the confusing terms can be very tricky to understand. When choosing insurance coverage in their vehicle, most people in NC just select what is required, called “minimum policy limits.” It is typically the cheapest route and often what an agent will recommend.

What is “Billed vs. Paid” and how does this affect my Personal Injury claim?

Were you in a car wreck or trucking accident and trying to figure out why your medical bills are piling up and not getting paid? After all, you were not at fault in this accident! Personal Injury claims in North Carolina can leave you feeling like you got the short end of the stick at times, and unfortunately, that feeling could extend to the settlement of your claim as well based on some applicable NC laws.

An Accident With a Commercial Truck is NOT the Same as a Car Accident

Taking to the highways instead of only using city streets can be one of the most time efficient ways of getting to your end destination. The only drawback, as we have all experienced, is that the highways have become the primary domain of commercial trucks! They are everywhere -- from 18-wheelers to service pickup trucks -- the highways are littered with them.

Top 5 Questions from Clients Involved in a Car Wreck:

(1) Will the driver who hit me pay for a rental car?
In North Carolina, the driver who is at fault is required to provide you with a rental car through their insurance. If this driver has car insurance, it is their insurance company that will fund and provide you with the rental car.

Minimum Insurance Policy Limits in NC May Not Protect You Properly

In North Carolina, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury coverage as a part of their liability car insurance. This bodily injury liability insurance covers the other person’s injuries in the case that you cause a damaging car accident, in addition to covering legal expenses in the case that you are sued after a crash.