What to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina: 7 Critical Steps

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in NC

Being in a car accident is stressful, but knowing what to do in those critical first minutes can protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial future. North Carolina has unique laws (like contributory negligence) that make proper accident handling absolutely crucial.

Here are the 7 critical steps you MUST take after a car accident in North Carolina:

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911

Your first priority is safety. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical attention - many injuries (whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding) don't show symptoms until hours or days later.

NC Law Requirement: You must report any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to police immediately (N.C.G.S. § 20-166).

2. Move to Safety (If Possible)

If your vehicle is drivable and blocking traffic, move it to the shoulder or a safe location. Turn on hazard lights. Set up warning triangles or flares if you have them.

Important: Don't leave the accident scene. North Carolina law requires you to remain at the scene (N.C.G.S. § 20-166). Leaving can result in hit-and-run charges.

3. Exchange Information

Get the following from all drivers involved:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver's license number and state
• Vehicle make, model, year, color, license plate
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Current address

What NOT to do: Don't discuss fault or apologize. Even saying "I'm sorry" can be used against you under NC's harsh contributory negligence rule.

4. Document EVERYTHING

This is critical in North Carolina where even 1% fault = zero recovery:

• Photos: Take 50+ photos from multiple angles - ALL vehicles (4 sides each), damage closeups, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, road conditions, street signs, weather
• Video: Record a 360-degree video of the entire scene
• Witnesses: Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash
• Notes: Write down what happened while fresh in your memory - time, weather, road conditions, what each driver did

5. Get Witness Contact Information

Independent witnesses are gold in NC accident cases. Their testimony can make the difference between proving 0% fault vs. 1% fault (which is everything under contributory negligence).

Ask witnesses:

• Full name and phone number
• What they saw
• If they're willing to provide a statement

6. Seek Medical Attention Within 24 Hours

This is crucial: See a doctor within 24 hours even if you feel fine. Insurance companies will claim your injuries aren't from the accident if you delay treatment.

Common delayed-symptom injuries:

• Whiplash (can take 24-48 hours to appear)
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Herniated discs
• Soft tissue injuries

Where to go: Emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care doctor. Just GO. Keep all medical records, bills, and prescriptions.

7. Call a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer BEFORE Talking to Insurance

DO NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. They will use it against you to claim you were at fault.

Here's what insurance adjusters do:

• Call you quickly (within hours) while you're still traumatized
• Act friendly and concerned
• Ask leading questions to get you to admit fault
• Pressure you to accept a quick lowball settlement
• Record everything to use against you later

Instead: Contact a North Carolina car accident attorney ASAP. Most offer free consultations and work on contingency (no fee unless you win).

What NOT to Do After a Car Accident in NC

• ❌ Don't admit fault or apologize
• ❌ Don't sign anything from insurance without lawyer review
• ❌ Don't accept the first settlement offer (it's always lowball)
• ❌ Don't post about the accident on social media
• ❌ Don't wait to see a doctor
• ❌ Don't give recorded statements to other driver's insurance
• ❌ Don't leave the accident scene

North Carolina's Contributory Negligence Law - Why These Steps Matter

North Carolina is one of only 4 states with pure contributory negligence. This harsh rule means:

If you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you recover ZERO compensation.

This is why proper documentation, witness statements, and early attorney involvement are so critical. Insurance companies know about contributory negligence and will desperately search for ANY way to blame you - even 1%.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in North Carolina?

North Carolina statute of limitations:

• Personal injury: 3 years from date of accident
• Property damage: 3 years from date of accident
• Wrongful death: 2 years from date of death

However: Don't wait! Evidence disappears quickly:

• Traffic camera footage gets deleted (often within 30-90 days)
• Witnesses forget details
• Skid marks fade
• Debris gets cleared
• Damage gets repaired

Contact a lawyer within 24-48 hours of your accident.

Free Car Accident Checklist for NC Drivers

Print this and keep in your glove box:

1. ✓ Ensure safety, call 911 if injuries
2. ✓ Move to safe location if possible
3. ✓ Exchange info with all drivers
4. ✓ Take 50+ photos and video
5. ✓ Get witness names and numbers
6. ✓ See doctor within 24 hours
7. ✓ Call NC car accident lawyer
8. ✓ Report to YOUR insurance (but not recorded statement to other driver's insurance)
9. ✓ Keep all records, bills, receipts
10. ✓ Don't post on social media

Get Legal Help After Your NC Car Accident

If you've been in a car accident in North Carolina, contact Vasquez Law for a free consultation. We'll review your case, explain your rights, and help you navigate NC's complex contributory negligence law.

No fee unless we win. Call (980) 267-6460 or contact us online for your free case review.