In North Carolina, you can recover compensation for injuries that surface weeks or months after a wreck, provided you show they stem from the collision. Insurers often challenge treatment gaps, arguing intervening events caused new symptoms. To build a strong case:

1. Establish Causation: Ask your treating physician to connect delayed symptoms—like slipped discs or migraine aura—to the crash. A clear medical narrative helps overcome insurer pushback.
2. Chronology of Care: Gather all bills and records from each provider. List dates, providers, and services. Even a gap of several months can be justified if you document worsening pain or flare‑ups.
3. Provider Statements: Obtain a letter from your brain-and-spine doctor or chiropractor explaining why treatment resumed later. Note that discs often degenerate over time, triggering new nerve symptoms.
4. Demand Letter Strategy: In your demand you can reference the accident and all related care, including physical therapy, massage, and subsequent neurosurgical visits. Present records in chronological order and invite the insurer to negotiate rather than hiding your figure.
5. Expect Pushback: Insurance adjusters may dispute later care. Be ready to explain the medical basis for delayed-onset injuries. Comprehensive records and provider opinions reduce the chance of denial.

For additional guidance on documenting medical treatment after a crash, see our article Medical Treatment After an Accident.

After you file a demand letter, North Carolina law does not set a strict deadline for insurers to respond, but adjusters commonly review records and send a formal reply within 30–45 days. Here’s how the process plays out:

• Prepare and Send Demand: Your attorney compiles all medical bills, repair estimates, and a summary of your injuries. The letter asks the insurer to accept liability and submit an offer before you name a specific dollar demand.
• Insurer Review Period: Expect a 4–6 week wait while the insurance company verifies policy limits, doctor notes, and treatment links to the crash.
• Initial Response: The insurer typically issues a coverage decision and a first settlement proposal. They might accept full liability and offer a lump sum or partially admit responsibility.
• Negotiation Phase: You counter their offer. Several rounds of back-and-forth can follow. Each side refines its valuation based on injury severity, time lost at work, and future care.
• Final Resolution or Lawsuit: If negotiations stall, filing suit within North Carolina’s three‑year statute of limitations keeps your case active. Mediation can occur before trial.

For an in-depth overview of the claim process in North Carolina, read Auto Accident Claims Process in NC.