What does it mean if I get a letter saying they don’t see that I went to the doctor after my car accident? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, that kind of letter usually means an insurance company (or claims administrator) is flagging that it has no medical bills or records showing treatment related to the crash. It is often a request for documentation, and it can also be a warning sign that the insurer may argue the injuries are not serious or not connected to the accident because there is a “gap” in treatment. The safest next step is to give the letter to the attorney handling the claim and start documenting treatment as soon as an appointment is available.

Understanding the Problem

In a North Carolina car-accident injury claim, an insurance adjuster may ask: can a person claim back and hip injuries if there is no record of a doctor visit after the crash? The decision point is whether the claim file shows medical treatment that connects the reported pain to the accident. The letter typically signals that the claim is missing medical proof, and it asks for the information to be routed through the attorney handling the injury claim.

Apply the Law

North Carolina injury claims are built on proof. Medical records are one of the main ways an insurer evaluates whether an injury happened, how severe it is, and whether it was caused by the collision. When an insurer says it “does not show” treatment, it usually means the insurer has not received (or cannot match) records such as emergency room notes, urgent care notes, primary care notes, imaging results, physical therapy notes, or billing statements tied to the accident date. A gap between the crash and the first medical visit can become a disputed issue because the insurer may argue the pain came from something else or was not serious enough to require care.

Key Requirements

Medical documentation exists: There must be some provider record showing evaluation or treatment after the crash (even if it starts later than ideal).
Connection to the collision is documented: The records should reflect that symptoms began after the wreck and that the provider understood the visit was crash-related.
Records can be produced in an organized way: The claim typically moves faster when the attorney can send a clear timeline (first complaint, diagnosis, treatment plan, follow-ups) rather than scattered paperwork.

What the Statutes Say

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Accident reports and investigations) – Requires reporting/investigation for certain crashes and explains how crash reports are generated and shared, which often becomes part of the insurance claim file.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.2 (Property damage settlements not an admission; not a release unless stated) – Clarifies that settling vehicle damage does not automatically settle or release an injury claim unless a written agreement clearly says so.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the claim involves significant back and hip pain, but treatment has not started yet because of referral/records hurdles and difficulty getting an appointment. That makes it more likely the insurer’s file truly has no medical records to review, which is why the letter says it “does not show” treatment. The longer the delay continues, the easier it becomes for the insurer to argue the pain is unrelated or not serious, so documenting the first visit and the reason for the delay matters.

Process & Timing

Who responds: The injured person’s attorney (once retained). Where: To the insurance adjuster/claims department listed on the letter. What: A copy of the letter, a treatment timeline, and any available records (or a signed medical authorization if the attorney requests records directly). When: As soon as possible, especially if the letter sets a response deadline.
Build the medical paper trail: Schedule the earliest available evaluation (primary care, urgent care, orthopedics, or another appropriate provider). At the visit, the history should accurately note the crash date, when symptoms started, and how symptoms have changed since the collision.
Update the claim file: After the first visit, the attorney typically sends the initial records and then supplements the file as imaging, referrals, and follow-up treatment occur.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

“No treatment” can be used as a causation argument: Insurers often treat a gap in care as a reason to dispute whether the crash caused the back/hip symptoms, even when pain is real.
Overbroad authorizations: Signing a blanket medical authorization without attorney review can lead to disclosure of unrelated history and create side issues that distract from the crash injuries.
Incomplete first-visit history: If the first provider note does not mention the crash or does not describe symptom onset, the insurer may argue the records do not connect the condition to the accident.

Related reading: haven’t started treatment yet, went to the ER the next day, and what medical records or documents to send when insurance asks for information.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, a letter saying the claim file does not show a doctor visit usually means the insurer has no medical records to evaluate the injury claim and may challenge whether the back and hip pain are connected to the crash. The key issue is documentation: a clear first medical visit and records that tie symptoms to the collision. The most practical next step is to give the letter to the attorney handling the claim and have the attorney respond with available records (or obtain them) by the letter’s stated deadline.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney

If you’re dealing with an insurance letter claiming there is no medical treatment after a car accident, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at [919-341-7055].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.