You might assume that running a red light is always illegal in North Carolina. But under certain circumstances, motorcyclists may proceed through a red light. To contend with the issue of sensors not always recognizing motorcycles, the state of North Carolina has a safe-on-red law that allows motorcyclists to proceed cautiously through…
At Hardison & Cochran, our personal injury lawyers commonly hear questions from clients along the lines of “Do you have to pay taxes on personal injury settlements?” or “Are settlements taxable?” The answer is yes, portions of personal injury settlements or awards are taxed, but most of the damages recovered…
No, it’s not. It’s illegal to use a cell phone for texting or email, including while stopped at a red light while operating a motor vehicle in North Carolina. North Carolina law does allow talking on a cell phone by passenger vehicle drivers over the age of 18. Most drivers…
You count on your insurance provider to be there when the unexpected happens, such as a car accident. An insurer that fails to honor its contractual obligations and denies a claim payment it owes may be violating the law by acting in bad faith. Holding an insurance company responsible for…
Injured workers in North Carolina may file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits to cover on-the-job injuries and work-related illnesses. If your claim is approved, your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance will pay for your medical care and part of your lost wages while you are unable to work. Unfortunately, employers…
When you or someone you love has cancer, a prompt diagnosis is critical to managing the disease effectively. Any delay in the correct diagnosis can allow cancer to spread and reduce the chances of successful treatment. A cancer misdiagnosis can put a patient’s life at risk. If you have learned…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that affects millions of Americans. While PTSD is commonly associated with military veterans, it can affect anyone who has been through a violent or traumatic event. You do not have to suffer in silence if you have PTSD after a…
If you have a personal injury claim from a car crash or slip and fall accident in North Carolina against another party whose negligence caused your injury, you have a limited time to pursue justice. In most cases, North Carolina’s personal injury statute of limitations bars filing lawsuits after three…
If you have been injured in an accident in North Carolina, you can add up the cost of your medical bills and the income you lost from missing weeks of work. But quantifying the cost of the pain and anguish you experienced is more difficult. Unlike medical bills and lost…
Personal injury claims are based on an accident victim’s assertion that they were injured because someone else failed to take reasonable steps – such as obeying traffic laws – to ensure they would be safe from harm. In many activities, however, such as participating in sports and attending a sports…
