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Email : [email protected] Todd Oxner is a founder and managing partner of Oxner + Permar , a North Carolina workers’ compensation firm. Since 1994 Todd has been known statewide for his success in handling workers’ compensation claims.

What Should I Do After a Car Wreck?

Personal Injury

What should I do after a car wreck?

Even the most experienced drivers can find car accidents to be stressful and hard to understand situations. From medical issues to insurance fees, there are countless questions that are put in your hands when you’re the victim of a car accident. Here at Oxner + Permar, PLLC our attorneys have been working for decades to make sure that accident victims like you keep their rights protected and get compensated fairly, even if it all can seem a bit overwhelming.

Here are a few helpful tips on what you can do if you’re a victim of a car accident.
1. Be informed: One of the most important things to do right after a car accident is to make sure you know as much as you can about the incident. Don’t just leave it up to your memory. At the scene of the accident have someone else, preferably a bystander, take pictures of what happened. This should include the scene and any cars involved. Also get the phone numbers of any witnesses, as they might be able to help support you. A few days after the car accident, you should get a copy of the police officer’s report, which should be made available online. It will have any statements you, the other person, or bystanders made. It will also have photos of where each vehicle was.
2. Document injuries: If you go to the hospital, don’t be afraid to ask your doctors questions and tell them everywhere that you hurt. You want them to understand the full situation. Unfortunately, the other driver’s insurance company won’t cover any medical costs until your case is settled, so you should make sure to use health insurance if you have it. Health insurance will let you get the medical attention you need while keeping any bill collectors off your back as much as possible.
3. Be ready for a phone call: Within the next day or two after a car accident, you might get a phone call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster. They will usually ask questions about how and why the accident happened and will want to know if you were injured or any damages to your vehicle. However, the insurance adjuster could be using questions designed to figure out whether you did anything to cause the accident. Any of what you say to the adjuster could be used against you in a case, so it could be a good decision to not tell the adjuster anything more than the basics. We recommend telling them that you were injured if this is a case, you need a rental vehicle, and/or you need repairs done on your car. Once you speak with an attorney, they can advise you on how to work with the adjuster best.
4. Call your insurance company: Check in with your insurance company to see if you have coverage on your policy towards “Medical Payments.” This could cover thousands of dollars towards your medical bills, to help you pay for the deductibles and co-pays that might come after an accident.

If you’re in the unfortunate situation where this does happen to you, reach out to Oxner + Permar, PLLC for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Is My Employer Required To Carry Workers’ Comp Insurance?

Workers' Compensation

Is My Employer Required To Carry Workers’ Comp Insurance?

 

I often hear potential clients tell me that their supervisor told them they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance or that there is no way to file a worker’s comp claim. Although there are a few exceptions, in North Carolina employers who employ three or more people are generally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

 

This appears to be a tactic that employers use to try and decrease the number of claims that are filed in an effort to keep their insurance rates from rising. Unfortunately, a lot of people will take their supervisor’s word for it and not file a claim.

 

The longer someone waits to file a claim, the more damaging effect it may have in their claim or benefits. If your employer ever tells you that they do not have workers’ compensation insurance, it is best to consult with an attorney to determine if this is true as you may still be entitled to benefits in the event that your employer does not carry the required workers’ compensation insurance.

 

If you have been hurt on the job and are not sure if your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, please give us a call for a free consultation. With more than $275 million in awards and settlements, Oxner + Permar has the experience to help defend your rights.

Who Is At Fault When A Self-Driving Car Causes A Wreck?

Personal Injury

Who Is At Fault When A Self-Driving Car Causes A Wreck?

 

We are living in a time where technology is advancing quickly and in ways our great grandparents probably would not have predicted. As impressive as self-driving cars are, there are also questions about how safe they are.

 

When two cars collide under normal circumstances, North Carolina law holds the at-fault party responsible for all damages and losses that he or she caused. But in the age of self-driving cars, the question of responsibility must be determined. In general, liability depends on one or more of these options:

 

Human Error

Human error is still the first place an injured victim should look. Even the best technology cannot protect the public from negligent human operators, if the human driver has ultimate control of the vehicle. If a driver fails to remain alert while at the wheel or misuses the technology, then the driver may be responsible for a crash.

 

Vehicle Malfunction

Sometimes technology simply fails. If a driverless vehicle is being operated properly and as designed but somehow fails, then the manufacturer may be the appropriate party to hold responsible for any injuries that the faulty machine caused.

 

Lax Government Oversight

A government regulatory agency that permits self-driving vehicles to be tested on public roads may potentially be responsible for allowing experimental vehicle testing on public roadways if the testing exposes the public to unreasonable risk of harm.

 

Improper Design or Manufacturing

In some cases, the design of the vehicle is defective and it must be considered whether this is something that the manufacturer should have recognized.

 

Self-driving vehicles raise new questions of liability. If you have been injured by a self-driving car and have questions give Oxner + Permar a call for a free consultation!

¿Sabias que…

Spanish

¿Sabias que…

 

Si su empleador no tiene seguro de lesiones laborales, usted todavía puede proceder con un reclamo si eres lesionado en el trabajo? Si su empleador no tiene seguro, tienes la opción de proceder en contra de ellos directamente, o, si su empleador era un subcontratista de un contratista general, puedes proceder en contra del seguro del contratista general. Antes de empezar un reclamo sin seguro, debes saber que el proceso será un poco más complicado – esto es porque tendrás que estar directamente en contacto con su empleador.

 

Es por esto que es importante que usted se ponga en contacto con abogados con experiencia si eres lesionado en el trabajo. Nosotros aquí en Oxner + Permar tenemos bastante experiencia con estas situaciones, y podemos ayudarle en español.  ¡Llamenos!

Is There Anything I Can Do To Help Get My Social Security Disability Hearing Scheduled Faster?

Social Security Disability

Is There Anything I Can Do To Help Get My Social Security Disability Hearing Scheduled Faster?

 

Waiting to get a hearing for your Social Security Disability benefits can be frustrating. The current wait time to get a Social Security Disability hearing scheduled in any of the four North Carolina offices is at least 18 months. This is a lengthy amount of time to wait for disability benefits when you’re unable to work.

 

During this time an attorney will continue to build the case based on medical evidence for a claimant. The best steps to take during this time are to continue treating with doctors and work toward getting supportive records and statements from your physicians.

 

The good news is there are some things you can do that may help get a hearing scheduled faster. One step is a “Congressional Inquiry”. One way to possibly expedite the process is to contact the office of your local congressman or senator. This inquiry would involve a congressional staff member to call or write the Social Security office on your behalf. Although there are no guaranteed results, it can’t hurt your case, and it could possibly get your hearing scheduled in six months rather than a year or two.

 

Working with an experienced attorney from the beginning can help strengthen your case. If you have any questions about your Social Security Disability case and how you can expedite your hearing give Oxner + Permar a call for a free consultation. 

Oxner + Permar