Should I Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident in Concord, NC?

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Should I Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident in Concord, NC?

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If you live in Concord, NC, you know that car accidents are a common occurrence. Whether it’s a fender bender on the Concord Parkway South or a serious collision on I-85, car accidents can happen to anyone at any time. If you’ve been in a car accident, you may wonder if you should go to the doctor.

Going to the doctor is always a smart option after a car accident. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and going to the doctor can give you peace of mind that you are indeed okay.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have assisted car accident victims in Concord, NC, for over 17 years. We know the ins and outs of the legal process and can help you get a fair settlement. Contact a Concord car accident lawyer today for a free consultation and to get started on your car accident case.

Common Injuries Sustained in Concord Car Accidents

Several different injuries can be sustained in a car accident. Some of the most common include:

  • Whiplash: This is a neck injury caused by the head’s sudden jerking motion. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
  • Back Injuries: These can range from minor sprains and strains to serious injuries such as herniated discs. Back pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with car accidents.
  • Broken Bones: Bones can be broken in auto accidents due to the force of impact. Commonly broken bones include ribs, collarbones, and legs.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: These are some of the most serious injuries that can be sustained in a car accident. Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to more serious injuries such as skull fractures and brain bleeds.

When Should I Seek Medical Treatment?

If you have been involved in a car accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to get checked out by a doctor. Many injuries, such as whiplash and traumatic brain injuries, may not display symptoms immediately. A doctor can properly evaluate your condition and determine if you have any hidden injuries.

It is also important to seek medical treatment even if your injuries seem minor. Some minor injuries, such as bruises and cuts, can become infected if they are not adequately treated. In addition, some seemingly minor injuries (such as bruising on the abdomen) can be quite severe, leading to serious injury. A doctor will be able to properly diagnose and treat your injuries so that you can recover as quickly as possible.

Should I Wait to Hear From the Insurance Company Before I Seek Medical Attention? 

You should not wait to hear from the insurance company before seeking medical care. In fact, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. Many insurance companies will try to downplay the severity of your injuries to avoid paying out a claim. However, a doctor’s report will document your injuries and their severity, making it more difficult for the insurance company to deny your claim.

What Information Should I Give to the Doctor?

Be sure to give the doctor a complete history of your car accident, including how it happened and what injuries you sustained. It is also important to let the doctor know if you are experiencing any pain or other symptoms. The more information you can provide, the better the doctor will be able to treat your injuries. Be honest and specific and don’t try to downplay your injuries.  

What Type of Doctors Should I See?

You may need to see a few different types of doctors after a car accident. These can include:

  • Primary Care Physicians: A primary care physician can evaluate your overall health and determine if you have any injuries that need to be treated or refer you to a specific type of specialist.
  • Orthopedists: An orthopedist is a doctor who specializes in treating injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, and joints. You will likely need to see an orthopedist if you have sustained any broken bones or back injuries.
  • Neurologists: A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the nervous system. You will likely need to see a neurologist if you have sustained a traumatic brain injury or whiplash.

In some car accident cases, immediate medical treatment is required. In these instances, victims are usually taken to the emergency room by ambulance. If you are taken to the hospital, tell the doctor that you were in a car accident so that they can properly document your injuries.

What Happens if I Don’t Seek Medical Treatment?

If you don’t seek medical treatment after a car accident, the insurance company may try to argue that your injuries are not severe or not a result of the accident. This could lead to a denial of your claim or a reduced settlement offer. In addition, failing to seek prompt medical treatment can result in your injuries becoming worse over time.

Who Pays My Medical Bills?

Med Pay Coverage

If you have Medical Payments coverage, often called Med Pay, your own insurance company will pay for your medical bills up to the limit of your policy, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Med Pay may help cover:

  • Visits with a medical professional
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgeries
  • Ambulance rides
  • Deductibles and co-pays

Health Insurance

If you don’t have Med Pay coverage, your health insurance company should help cover your medical bills. However, you may be responsible for paying your deductible and any co-pays. Health insurance policies vary from person to person, so it is important to check with your insurance company to see what coverage you have and when it may kick in.  For example, Medicare will not pay bills on third-party liability claims, such as a car accident, until 120 days after the collision as they are considered a secondary payor and the at-fault driver’s auto insurance is considered the primary payor, even though they typically don’t compensate you for your bills until you are finished with treatment.  That is one reason why it is important to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side.  

At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company

The at-fault driver’s insurance company should pay for your medical bills if they were caused by the accident. However, the claims process can be complicated, and there may be a delay in getting your medical bills paid. In some cases, victims may need to hire an attorney to help them get the compensation they deserve.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

If you don’t have Med Pay or health insurance, you may be responsible for paying your medical bills out of pocket. In some cases, victims may be able to get reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, this can be a complicated process, so it is important to seek the advice of an experienced car accident attorney.

Do I Need a Lawyer After My Concord, NC Car Accident?

While you are not required to hire an attorney after an auto accident in North Carolina, doing so is often in your best interest. You may need to hire an attorney if:

  • The other driver was at fault for the accident and their insurance is refusing to pay your medical bills
  • Your injuries are serious, and you are not receiving fair compensation from the insurance company
  • You are not sure how to navigate the claims process

An experienced car accident attorney can handle all aspects of your claim, from negotiating with the insurance company to filing a lawsuit, if necessary.

If you’re still unsure about whether to hire a lawyer, we recommend that you contact us for a free consultation. During this meeting, you can ask questions and get more information about your legal rights and options.

What Can I Do If My Insurance Claim is Denied?

If your insurance claim is denied, you have a few options. First, you can try to negotiate with the insurance company. If you’re still not getting the compensation you deserve, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

The claims process after a car accident can be complicated and frustrating. However, understanding your rights and options can improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. It’s important to note that you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action after a car accident in North Carolina. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years. You may be barred from recovering compensation if you do not settle your claim or file a lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations within this time. The statute of limitations is one of the first things you should discuss with your attorney.  

If you have any questions or need assistance with your claim, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you navigate the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Concord, NC to Recover Compensation for Your Medical Expenses

If you were injured in a car accident, you might be able to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical expenses. To do this, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident. You can support your claim by providing evidence, such as eyewitness testimony, photos of the accident scene and vehicles involved, as well as your medical records.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our accident lawyers can help you investigate your accident, gather evidence, and establish a strong case for compensation. We will fight for the maximum compensation available under the law and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.

Other Damages You Can Recover in Personal Injury Claims

In addition to medical expenses, you might also be able to recover other damages in a personal injury claim, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don’t charge any upfront fees and only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor Helps Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve After a Car Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we want to help. At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our experienced and compassionate team will fight for the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery. Contact our Concord car accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.

130 Church St NE
Concord, NC 28025

Phone: (704) 787-9419
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

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120 3rd St NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: (828) 327-9004
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

301 S McDowell St #1016
Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704) 676-1093
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Concord, NC 28025

Phone: (704) 787-9419
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

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Notice of Data Security Event
Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

Sincerely,

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor

STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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