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Accidental injuries are a serious problem in North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that injury-related deaths spiked 23 percent over a recent five-year period. Hospitalizations increased 10 percent during that time, with more than 746,500 emergency room visits in a single year alone. That data…

Severe accidents can generate thousands of dollars of medical bills. It’s no wonder that people who have sustained major injuries often experience financial stress and hope for a quick settlement. However, the desire to reach a quick settlement sometimes backfires and leaves injury victims financially liable for thousands of dollars…

If someone else hurt you, they should have to compensate you for what you’ve lost financially, including medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. However, the effects of a serious injury are not merely economic in nature. They also have an emotional component, one that’s every bit as real and…

Hardison & Cochran is proud to sponsor AAF Triangle. AAF Triangle is the voice of the advertising industry in the Raleigh-Durham-Coastal Plains areas. Their organization sponsors programs that support our national organization’s initiatives of Education, Diversity, Public Service, and Government Relations for advertising agencies, marketing teams, freelancers, and students. Learn…

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…

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…