While most crashes occur as cars move forward, some car accidents and injuries happen as vehicles are backing up. Sometimes it can be confusing to understand who is at fault for a backing-up accident. North Carolina law generally puts the responsibility on the driver who shifts into reverse to back out of a driveway, parking space, or alley. “The driver of a vehicle shall not move backward unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic,” says N.C.G.S. § 20‑154. Additional subsections of the statute give judges the authority to fine and suspend the licen ..read more

If you sustain injuries in a North Carolina car accident, you only have a certain amount of time to file a claim seeking compensation for the harm you have suffered. This is why it’s a good idea to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after any car accident – before it’s too late to meet the filing deadlines. The time following a car accident is often confusing and stressful. You might have a painful recovery process, insurance companies to answer, unexpected medical bills, and financial pressures to manage. Amid this whirlwind of obligations, it’s easy to overlook ..read more

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, call a motorcycle accident lawyer at Hardison & Cochran. Having been in business for over 30 years, we have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases while helping our clients get the help and support they need to move forward. The Most Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that although motorcycles account for only 0.6% of vehicle miles traveled in the US, motorcycle riders account for 14% of all traffic fatalities. The nature and severity of motorcycle crash i ..read more

Nurses and nurses’ aides often develop injuries because of the physical demands of their jobs, such as manually lifting and repositioning patients. Safe patient handling is paramount for the patient and the caregiver to avoid musculoskeletal injuries. If you’re a healthcare professional who cares for patients, it’s crucial to be aware of the most common patient manual handling injuries and how to protect yourself and your patients. You also should be aware of the workers’ compensation benefits available to you if you sustain a patient-handling injury. Keep reading to learn more about the risk ..read more

Hardison & Cochran is pleased to announce that three lawyers have been recognized by the North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine for their legal work in the state. Ben Cochran, a seasoned attorney handling NC Workers’ Compensation and NC Personal Injury cases, has been selected to the 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers List. This marks his 10th consecutive year as a North Carolina Super Lawyer Honoree and his 15th consecutive year of recognition by Super Lawyers Magazine. Jack Hardison, who focuses on Workers’ Compensation cases, has also been selected to the 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers ..read more

Advances in technology, the pandemic, and changes in workplace practices have all contributed to an increase in employees working remotely or telecommuting. In 2022, about one-third of employed people in the U.S. worked from home on an average day, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. Remote workers who are performing well may be out of sight and out of mind for management until an employee is injured and seeks workers’ compensation benefits. Employees who are eligible for workers’ compensation after a workplace accident may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits while performing ..read more

North Carolina law requires drivers to stop and notify the police if they are involved in a car accident that causes personal injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage. Local police will respond to accident reports on city streets. Either the North Carolina Highway Patrol or local law enforcement may handle crashes that occur on major highways such as Interstate 40, Interstate 85, and I-440. The investigating officer will file an accident report. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you should obtain a copy of the police report. You will need it for ..read more

Nursing is a physically demanding job. Nurses often suffer work-related injuries and illnesses that require costly medical treatment and time off work. If you have sustained serious injuries while performing your job as a nurse or healthcare worker, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical bills and reimburse a portion of your lost wages while you are recuperating. Keep reading to learn more about common injuries in healthcare occupations and how an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you pursue the benefits that North Carolina workers’ compens ..read more

Were you involved in a car accident with a careless driver in North Carolina? Once you’ve presented all the information available to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may face a delay while the insurance adjuster evaluates the claim and considers whether to offer a settlement. An insurance settlement offer is an insurance company’s proposed payment to an individual to cover their injury-related expenses and financial losses. Accepting an insurance settlement offer means you agree to resolve your claim. The settlement process includes signing a liability waiver that protects the insu ..read more

Most workers in North Carolina who sustain injuries in a workplace accident and cannot immediately return to work are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp benefits include payment of all medical bills related to a workplace injury and reimbursement of a portion of wages lost while disabled and unable to work. After seven days of missed work, an injured worker eligible for North Carolina workers’ compensation should receive temporary disability benefits. At this point, unless the worker has suffered a catastrophic injury, he or she will likely be classified as tempo ..read more