What To Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina?

Car accidents can leave you overwhelmed and unsure about what you should do going forward. Knowing what to do after a car accident in North Carolina can help you avoid costly mistakes, strengthen your case, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Explore the essential steps to take, your rights under North Carolina accident laws, and why working with an experienced attorney is essential.

Ensure Everyone’s Safety

Immediately after the accident, check for injuries among everyone in your vehicle. Even if minor injuries seem minor, it’s essential to seek medical attention. Injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not be obvious right away. Spinal cord injuries and soft tissue damage are among the most common injuries reported after an accident.

If the vehicles are drivable, move to a safer area to avoid further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights to be visible to oncoming traffic.

Call the Police

Call 911 and report any accident involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Having law enforcement at the scene ensures that an official accident report gets filed. This becomes critical evidence when you go to file a car accident claim. In 2021, law enforcement reported 276,000 accidents, with more than 1,600 being fatal.

The responding officer documents the accident and speaks to witnesses, documenting any important details. Always request a copy of this report so you have it for insurance claims or legal proceedings.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

If your injuries allow, collect evidence at the scene. This can include:

• Photos and videos. Capture the positions of the vehicles, any visible damage, skid marks, and road conditions.
• Contact information. Get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all involved in the accident and witnesses to the collision.
• Insurance details. Exchange insurance company names and policy numbers with other drivers.
• License and registration. Record license plate numbers and driver’s license information.

All evidence gathered strengthens your case.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Provide information, but don’t make statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. That means if you’re found guilty at all in the accident, you may not be able to recover compensation. This means it’s particularly important to watch what you say when speaking to insurers and rely heavily on your North Carolina car accident attorney for help.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If your accident involves serious injuries or if fault is disputed, it’s a good idea to hire a Statesville car accident lawyer. These attorneys can comb through the details of your accident, ensure evidence is gathered and preserved appropriately, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. A North Carolina car accident attorney works to calculate the full value of your damages and can represent you in court if necessary.

Because of North Carolina’s strict negligence rule, having a legal professional on your side is crucial to maximizing your chances of recovering.

Available Compensation

A successful car accident claim in North Carolina may allow you to recover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Keep detailed records of symptoms, medical appointments, and how the injuries affect your daily life. Save all medical bills, receipts, and records related to your treatment. This all serves as evidence when trying to demonstrate your financial and medical damages.

Why You Should Choose The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC

After a car accident, you need a legal advocate who can fight for your interests. The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, brings extensive experience navigating North Carolina car accident laws. We take the time to understand your situation and tailor our strategy accordingly.

Our firm has helped many clients secure favorable settlements and verdicts throughout Iredell County and the surrounding areas. We are relentless in holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable.

FAQs

What Do You Do if You Get in a Car Accident in North Carolina?

If you’re in a car accident in North Carolina, the priority is your safety. Call 911 to report the crash and request medical help. Move vehicles to a safe location, if possible, but don’t leave the scene. Exchange information with the other drivers involved, including contact information and insurance details. Take photos of the scene, damage, and any injuries. Notify your own insurance company promptly, but avoid admitting fault.

How Does Insurance Work When It’s Not Your Fault?

If you’re not at fault in a North Carolina car accident, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover your property damage, medical expenses, and other losses. You can file a third-party claim directly with their insurer. However, insurance companies may try to minimize payouts, so documenting your damages is crucial. In certain cases, your insurance company may pay for medical expenses and collision damages, later seeking reimbursement from the other driver’s carrier.

Is it Better to Use Your Insurance or Theirs?

Whether to use your insurance or the at-fault driver’s depends on your situation. Filing with the other driver’s insurance may result in a slower and possibly contested claims process. Using your own insurance can result in faster repairs or payments, though you may have a deductible that would otherwise not be necessary with the other driver’s insurance. If liability is disputed, starting with your insurance can keep the process moving.

Do I Need to Call the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

You are not legally required to call the other driver’s insurance company yourself after the accident. Typically, you’ll report the crash to your own insurer. Then, they contact the other carrier as needed. However, the other driver’s insurer may reach out to you for a statement. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. If contacted, limit your comments to basic facts or direct them to your attorney.

North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t face the aftermath of a car accident alone. The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, is committed to guiding you through every step of the process until your case is resolved. Our team thoroughly gathers details of your accident, represents you during insurance negotiations, and builds a strong case to pursue maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.

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