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In states like North Carolina, even one careless sentence to an insurance adjuster can destroy your entire injury claim.

In the latest episode of our Road to Recovery series, catastrophic injury lawyer Clarke Speaks explains the enormous risk of giving a recorded statement without legal guidance, especially in a contributory negligence state where being even 1% at fault means you recover zero.

Learn how adjusters use vague questions about your medical history or prior injuries to manufacture doubt, reduce the value of your claim, or eliminate it altogether. We’ll share real examples of how innocent, truthful answers (“Yeah, I hurt my back once…”) can later be twisted to suggest a preexisting condition.

You’ll also find out why your first steps after an accident should be: stabilize medically, call an attorney, and make sure your doctor documents the key distinctions insurers love to exploit.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

⚠️ Contributory Negligence = Zero Recovery

🎯 Loaded Questions About Prior Injuries

🕵️ How Adjusters Erode Your Case

🩺 Get Medical Clarity Early

📞 Call a Lawyer Before a Recorded Statement

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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When you’ve been injured in an accident, the first phone call you get is often from an insurance adjuster, and what you say next can make or break your entire claim.

In this installment of our Road to Recovery series, Clarke explains exactly how adjusters try to steer conversations, the traps hidden inside seemingly innocent questions, and the one sentence you should always use before saying anything else. You’ll also learn when you’re required to answer questions, how a lawyer prepares you for a recorded statement, and why adjusters already know the answers to most of the questions they ask.

If you’ve ever wondered how to protect yourself after an accident — or why insurers want you talking before you’re ready — we’ll help you get the clarity (and confidence) you need.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📞 The First Call - Why the adjuster sounds friendly — and why that’s part of the strategy.

🛑 Your Safe Response - The one line to repeat every time: “I’d like to speak with my attorney before I answer any questions.”

🕵️ Fishing for Fault - How adjusters ask misleading questions to reduce or deny your claim.

🎙️ Recorded Statements - When you must give one, when you shouldn’t, and how a lawyer prepares you to avoid traps.

📑 They Already Know the Facts - Adjusters have the collision report — so why are they asking you? Clark explains the real reason.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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What actually happens when you pick up the phone and call an injury lawyer after an accident? How do you know if you need a lawyer or if they’ll even take the case? In this episode of our Road to Recovery series, Clarke walks listeners through the real intake process, step by step.

Find out how our team evaluates cases, the questions you’ll be asked, and why sometimes the best advice is, “You don’t need a lawyer right now but call us back if anything changes.” He also breaks down how insurance companies move immediately to protect their own interests, why their investigators are far from neutral, and why injured people should never assume the system is working in their favor.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📞 The First Call: What happens when you contact a law firm and why intake matters.

👮 Professional Intake Team: Investigators with law enforcement backgrounds gather deeper details.

⚖️ Do You Even Need a Lawyer?: Why Clarke’s team often gives advice without taking the case.

🏃 Insurance Moves Fast: Claims vans, investigators, and why they start immediately.

🧭 When Representation Begins: Why acting quickly protects evidence and strengthens your case

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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When it comes to personal injury cases, preparation and confidence can make or break your outcome. In part 4 of our Road to Recovery Series, Clarke explains why self-reliance—while admirable—can backfire when you’re up against insurance companies and adjusters who do this every day. Learn how an experienced attorney can maximize your recovery, minimize expenses, and help you walk into your case fully prepared, confident, and in control.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

⚖️ Preparation & Confidence: why being ready leads to stronger results

💪 Self-Reliance Myth: when doing it yourself can hurt your case

👨‍💼 Hiring a Lawyer: how professional expertise changes the outcome

💰 Maximize Recovery: finding hidden policies and additional coverage

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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After an accident, what you do next can make all the difference. In part 3 of our Road to Recovery series, catastrophic injury lawyer Clarke Speaks breaks down what really matters after you’ve been hurt — from documenting the scene to avoiding costly mistakes on social media.

This video will discuss the right way to record evidence, how to protect your case during recovery, and what clients can expect once they hire a law firm. Clarke also reveals why having an experienced attorney can make your case up to three and a half times more valuable, and what happens if negotiations fail and the case moves to litigation.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🚗 Document Everything: Photos, damage, and injury details help tell your story later.

⚠️ Be Careful Online: How one social media post can undermine your entire claim.

🏥 Focus on Healing: Let your legal team handle the paperwork while you recover.

🧾 Inside the Process: How lawyers gather records, negotiate, and build a demand package.

💼 Why Lawyers Matter: Clients with representation earn 3.5x more on average.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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When should you call a lawyer after an accident, and how do you know who to trust? Today, we continue our Road to Recovery series by breaking down the critical factors to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney. From experience and resources to relationships and courtroom credibility, find out what sets a great legal advocate apart. This video will also take you inside our firm’s mission to help accident victims recover physically, financially, and emotionally, from building trial-ready cases to leveraging expert relationships that improve client outcomes.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Experience matters—look for a lawyer who’s seen it all and learned from it
🏥 Relationships with medical and legal experts can make or break your case
💼 Big resources = better results in complex injury cases
⚖️ Trial readiness leads to better settlements—even if you never go to court

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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The moments after a serious accident can be overwhelming. You’re hurt, confused, and wondering what to do next.

In this video, catastrophic injury attorney Clarke Speaks explains the most important steps to take once the dust settles. He shares a powerful story about teaching his son how to stand up to a bully—and how that same mindset applies to accident victims: you need confidence, a plan, and the right information to protect yourself.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🚑 Get medical attention first – Even minor injuries should be checked right away.

🧭 Gather information – Details matter: photos, reports, and witness names can make or break your claim.

📞 Be cautious with insurers – Never give a recorded statement without legal guidance.

💬 Ask questions – Most bad decisions come from incomplete or bad information.

⚖️ Consult a professional – A quick conversation with an experienced attorney can protect your rights early on.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP

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It’s easy to get frustrated with your workers’ comp claim. You’re not alone. Delays, restrictions, and tough assignments can make quitting feel like the only option—but it could be one of the costliest mistakes you make.

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke Speaks and Brian Groesser explain why voluntarily quitting your job during an active workers’ compensation claim almost always hurts your case. They discuss how quitting cuts off your weekly benefits, removes your leverage in mediation, and can leave you with no income for months while waiting on a hearing.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🚫 Don’t quit – Voluntarily quitting usually stops your weekly checks immediately.

⚖️ Leverage matters – Ongoing benefits give you bargaining power in mediation.

⏳ Litigation delays – Filing for benefits can take 9–12 months without income.

🕵️ Carrier tactics – Unpleasant work assignments may be designed to make you quit.

📞 Consult first – Always talk to an attorney before walking away from your job.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP