Frequently Asked Questions

I've made a deliberate choice to build a boutique practice rather than a high-volume firm. The personal injury firms you see advertising heavily on television operate on a volume-based business model, signing as many clients as possible and processing cases through standardized systems.

By choosing not to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in mass advertising, I can maintain a more selective practice focused on quality representation rather than quantity of cases. This allows me to:

1. Keep my contingency fees lower (20% versus the industry standard 33%)
2. Spend more time with each client I represent
3. Provide truly personalized service throughout your case
4. Be selective about the cases I accept, ensuring I can make a meaningful difference
5. Build relationships based on mutual respect and trust

My practice has been built primarily through referrals from satisfied clients and other attorneys who recognize the quality of representation I provide. I prefer to let my work and reputation speak for themselves rather than compete for attention through mass marketing.

“Statutes of limitations” govern the length of time one has to file a lawsuit or be forever barred from pursuing such claims. Under North Carolina law, different statute of limitations periods apply to personal injury cases under various circumstances. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be as short as two years, while generally it is three years. However, there are many factors that bear upon when the applicable statute of limitations period expires, including the age of the plaintiff, the type of personal injury claim, the particular facts giving rise to the injury and others.

One must always be absolutely aware of when their statute of limitations period expires or risk jeopardizing their legal rights. An experienced personal injury lawyer can be of assistance in this regard. A potential claimant seeking the advice of an attorney should do so without delay.

In certain cases, there may also be other deadlines that may impact the case. For example, some claims require specific notice to the insurance company. Furthermore, given that expert and legal analysis must be done prior to filing a lawsuit, you should not wait until the statute of limitations period is nearing its end because the attorney may not have enough time to complete his or her review prior to its expiration.

Photographs of injuries, bruises, etc. can help substantiate damages related to medical treatment and pain and suffering. Photographs of vehicle damage and other property damage can help demonstrate the force of the impact and the extent of the property damage. Finally, photographs of the accident scene, including skid marks, can help establish who was at fault. Obviously, the timing of these photographs is critical. As wounds heal, they do not appear to be as serious. Therefore, photographs should be taken early on and at each stage of the healing process. Other helpful documentation includes prescription records and lost wage information, as I will obtain all related medical bills and records.

The acceptance of a check may be construed as a settlement, barring any further recovery against the faulty driver or his or her insurance company. You should not accept a check or sign a release from the faulty driver or his or her insurance company until after you have completed medical treatment and have been released by a doctor. Otherwise, you risk settling your case for an amount that is insufficient to cover your medical bills and other damages. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who are well-versed in the art of settling claims for the lowest possible value. They employ a variety of techniques to convince claimants that they are better off settling their cases themselves than by hiring a lawyer. You should consult an attorney prior to accepting any payment, signing any release or settling your claim to ensure that you are receiving fair compensation and not jeopardizing your right to a full and fair recovery.

If you provide the other driver’s insurance company with a blanket medical authorization, you may provide them with the ability to obtain any and all of your medical records, whether related to the accident or not. Information gathered from these unrelated medical records may be used against you in negotiating a settlement of your case. Because medical information is privileged and confidential, you should consult an attorney prior to providing the other driver’s insurance company with medical authorization.

Generally, you should not settle your claim until after you have concluded medical treatment and have been released by your doctor. Otherwise, you may settle your case without knowing the full extent of your injuries and the treatments that will be required for such injuries. At the same time, you must be mindful of the applicable statute of limitations period. You should consider seeking the assistance of an attorney to determine the applicable statute of limitations period and other deadlines that may affect your claims, as these issues are fact-sensitive and can vary from case to case.

If the faulty driver does not have insurance coverage to the extent of your damages, you may be able to recover under your own insurance policy if it provides you with “underinsured motorist coverage.” It is often advisable to have an attorney review your insurance policy to determine whether or not this coverage is available to you. Settling with the faulty driver’s insurance company may affect your insurance company’s responsibility; therefore, one should consider consulting an attorney before any settlement.

As a practical matter, you can only recover if the faulty party has available assets or insurance. In some instances, a faulty driver who does not carry his or her own insurance may nonetheless be covered by another person’s insurance policy. Additionally, if the faulty driver was acting during the scope of his employment at the time of the crash, they may be covered by their employer’s insurance. If your own insurance policy provides you with “uninsured motorist coverage,” you may be entitled to compensation from your own insurance company if the faulty driver has no insurance. Given the complexity and nuances of these various insurance coverage issues, it is often advisable to seek the assistance of an attorney to determine the existence of insurance or other assets that may be available to satisfy your claim.

Yes. Your rights to recover damages incurred in an automobile wreck that was the fault of another are not affected by any payments made by your health insurance. Depending upon the terms of your health insurance plan, the payments made by your insurance company may, however, be subject to reimbursement in the event of a recovery by you against the party at fault.

Generally speaking, if you are involved in an automobile wreck that was the fault of another, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your medical and pharmacy bills associated with treatment for injuries sustained during the crash, cost of future medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and reasonable automobile rental charges incurred as a result of the crash. You may also recover other costs directly attributable to the crash, such as towing, storage, etc.

Certain injuries may not manifest themselves until some time afterward. By not seeing a doctor, you risk delaying your treatment and further injury. Even minor soreness can be an indication of a more significant injury. If you believe that you may have been injured, you should see a doctor. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to argue that the failure of an individual to see a doctor right away indicates that an injury diagnosed later must have resulted from an unrelated event after the crash.

Well, those big firms do have a place in the system, but I would hope that you give me a chance to prove why my local service is a better option for most folks.

This is a dangerous presumption based on the belief that a person can figure out what their case is worth. Numerous studies have shown that retaining a lawyer, on average, significantly increases the amount of settlement received, which offsets the attorney fee.

There are many factors that go into valuing a case. The type of injury, the amount of the medical bills and the severity of the crash all play a part in how much you should get paid for the crash.

I don’t want to sue anyone. Hiring a lawyer in an auto wreck puts an experienced advocate on your side who understands how to prepare, present and negotiate your injury case. Hiring a lawyer does not mean you are suing someone. The vast majority of cases settle with no lawsuit being filed, and lawsuits are only filed as a last resort with full agreement by the client.

I work on a contingency basis. This means I am paid only if you get a settlement from the insurance company. If you do not get a settlement, I do not get a fee. For the bulk of my cases, my commission fee is only 20%.

Highway accidents often involve higher speeds and more severe injuries. After ensuring your safety and calling 911, document the scene carefully by taking photos of all vehicles, road conditions, and any skid marks or debris. Exchange information with other drivers and collect contact details from witnesses. Many serious accidents occur on highways like U.S. Highway 421, which has unique traffic patterns and hazards. Don't give recorded statements to insurance companies, and contact me immediately at 336-990-0572. My experience with highway accidents helps me identify critical evidence that strengthens your case and maximizes your compensation.

North Carolina treats distracted driving crashes and drunk driving wrecks with particular severity. When drivers text, use phones, or drive under the influence, they may face both civil liability and criminal charges. In drunk driving cases, you may qualify for punitive damages beyond standard compensation. For distracted driving cases, cell phone records and witness testimony become crucial evidence. I have specific experience handling both types of cases and know how to document the driver's negligent behavior to strengthen your claim. With proper evidence, these cases often result in higher settlements due to the clear negligence involved.

Rear-end car wrecks present unique challenges despite seeming straightforward. While the trailing driver is typically presumed at fault, insurance companies often dispute injury severity, particularly with whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries that don't show on X-rays. These injuries can cause long-term pain and disability despite minimal vehicle damage. I help clients document these injuries properly through medical evidence, expert testimony, and thorough investigation of collision dynamics. My background in insurance claims gives me insight into how adjusters evaluate rear-end collisions, allowing me to anticipate and counter their typical defense strategies.

Commercial vehicle wrecks involve complex liability factors not present in typical car accidents. These cases may involve corporate defendants, trucking companies, and multiple insurance policies. Commercial drivers must follow federal regulations regarding hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and licensing. Violations of these regulations can strengthen your case significantly. These accidents typically cause more severe injuries due to the size and weight disparities between vehicles. I have specific experience investigating commercial vehicle accidents, accessing electronic logging devices, maintenance records, and driver qualification files that are crucial to establishing liability in these high-stakes cases.

North Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but approximately 13% of drivers remain uninsured, while many more carry only minimum coverage. If you're hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still have options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can provide compensation, but these claims often involve complex legal hurdles as you're essentially making a claim against your own insurance company. I have extensive experience navigating these challenging cases and can help identify all possible sources of compensation, including potential third-party liability or coverage through household policies, to ensure your injuries and expenses are fully addressed.