Jan82026
Wrongful Death

What happens next after I sign the engagement agreement for a personal injury case? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, signing an engagement agreement usually starts the firm’s intake and investigation phase. Next steps commonly include confirming contact information, completing intake questionnaires and medical-record authorizations, gathering accident documents, and notifying the insurance companies that the firm represents the injured person. The firm then tracks treatment, collects records and bills, and watches the statute-of-limitations deadline while the claim is prepared for settlement talks or, if needed, a lawsuit.

Understanding the Problem

After a North Carolina personal injury engagement agreement is signed, what happens next depends on a single decision point: whether the law firm has enough basic information (accident details and a reliable mailing address) to open the file, send intake paperwork, and begin requesting records and insurance information. The question focuses on the immediate post-signature steps—what the firm typically does first and what information is needed to move the case forward.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina personal injury practice, the engagement agreement creates the attorney-client relationship and authorizes the firm to act on the client’s behalf within the scope of the contract. From there, the firm typically (1) collects facts and documents, (2) identifies insurance coverage and opens/updates claim files, (3) gathers medical records and bills, and (4) tracks deadlines so the claim is not lost to the statute of limitations. In most injury cases, the lawsuit deadline is generally three years from the date the claim accrues, while wrongful death claims generally have a two-year deadline from the date of death.

Key Requirements

  • Basic accident facts: Date, location, how the incident happened, involved parties, and any report information so the firm can identify insurers and potential defendants.
  • Signed intake and authorizations: Completed questionnaires plus medical and employment record authorizations so records and bills can be requested and verified.
  • Deadline control: A clear understanding of the injury date (and, if applicable, the date of death) so the firm can calendar the statute of limitations and preserve the claim.

What the Statutes Say

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the engagement agreements are already signed, and the firm is requesting basic accident information and a mailing address. That request fits the first “key requirement” step: the firm needs enough facts and reliable contact information to send intake paperwork and begin the initial investigation. Once intake forms and authorizations are completed and returned, the firm can request records and bills and begin confirming insurance coverage while also calendaring the applicable statute-of-limitations deadline.

Process & Timing

  1. Who provides information: The client (and sometimes a family member or authorized representative). Where: Directly to the law firm handling the North Carolina injury matter. What: Basic accident details, a current mailing address, and completed intake paperwork (often including medical-record authorizations). When: As soon as possible after signing so the firm can start record requests and insurance notifications.
  2. Early case setup: The firm typically opens the file, confirms the correct parties, requests the crash/incident report if needed, and notifies relevant insurance carriers that representation has begun. This step often happens in days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly intake paperwork is returned and how quickly reports and claim information can be obtained.
  3. Evidence and damages build-out: The firm requests medical records and bills, tracks treatment, and collects wage-loss or other supporting documents if applicable. Once enough information is gathered to evaluate the claim, the firm typically prepares a settlement demand or, if negotiations stall or deadlines approach, prepares to file suit in the appropriate North Carolina court.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

  • Missing or delayed intake paperwork: If questionnaires and authorizations are not returned, the firm may not be able to request records, confirm coverage, or evaluate the claim in time to negotiate or file suit.
  • Insurance and lien surprises: Medical providers and some payors may assert lien rights that can affect settlement distribution, so early identification of bills, health coverage, and potential liens helps avoid last-minute delays.
  • Deadline confusion: The limitations period can depend on the type of claim and the key date that triggers it. Waiting to confirm the correct deadline can create avoidable risk if suit needs to be filed.

Conclusion

After signing an engagement agreement for a North Carolina personal injury case, the next step is usually intake and investigation: providing basic accident details and a reliable mailing address so the firm can send and receive intake paperwork and authorizations, then gathering reports, records, bills, and insurance information. The firm should also calendar the statute of limitations—often three years for injury claims and generally two years for wrongful death. The most important next step is to return the intake packet promptly so the firm can begin record requests and preserve deadlines.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney

If you’re dealing with an accident-related injury or a fatal accident claim and the firm has asked for accident details and an address to send intake paperwork, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help explain the process, what documents matter, and what timelines to watch. 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.

Category: Wrongful Death

Author: Pierce Law

Pierce Law Group is a North Carolina law firm focused on probate administration, real estate partition matters, and surplus funds claims across North Carolina. We know these situations often come with stress, family dynamics, and time-sensitive decisions—so we prioritize clear communication, steady guidance, and a practical plan from day one. Our goal is to make a complicated process feel manageable, while protecting what matters most to you.