Auto Insurance Guide
What to do after a car accident in North Carolina
A step-by-step guide to protecting your rights and your insurance claim after a car accident in NC.
Get a QuoteCall (919) 249-8448The minutes and hours after a car accident determine a lot. Here is what to do, and what not to do, to protect your rights and your insurance claim.
Steps to take after an accident
Step 1: Check for injuries and call 911
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. In NC, you're required to report accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to law enforcement.
Step 2: Move to safety if possible
If the vehicles are drivable and the accident is minor, move to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to clear traffic. Turn on hazard lights.
Step 3: Exchange information
Get from the other driver: name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, insurance carrier name, and policy number. Don't rely on memory, photograph their license, registration, and insurance card.
Step 4: Document the scene
Photograph all vehicles before they're moved if possible, the accident location, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Take video. Get photos of the other driver's license plate.
Step 5: Get witness information
If bystanders saw the accident, get their names and phone numbers. Witness statements can be critical if fault is disputed.
Step 6: File a police report
Request that responding officers file a report. Get the officer's name and badge number and the report number. Obtain a copy as soon as it's available.
Step 7: Notify your insurance carrier
Report the accident promptly. Most policies require timely notice. You do not have to admit fault, simply report the facts of what happened.
What NOT to do
- Don't admit fault at the scene. Even an apology can be used against you.
- Don't decline medical attention if you're injured. Injuries from accidents often manifest hours or days later.
- Don't sign anything from the other driver or their insurer at the scene.
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer without speaking to your own insurer first.
NC contributory negligence: what you need to know
NC is a contributory negligence state. If you're found even 1% at fault for an accident, you may be barred from recovering damages from the other driver. This is one of the strictest fault standards in the country and makes accurate documentation critical. If the other driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage kicks in. NC requires carriers to offer UM/UIM coverage, if you have it, it protects you in that scenario.
Cooper's take
NC's contributory negligence rule is one of the harshest in the country. Even being slightly at fault can eliminate your recovery from the other driver. Document everything, don't admit fault, and let the insurance companies and attorneys sort out liability. Strong uninsured motorist limits matter here, make sure yours are adequate.
Cooper Parsons, NC License #19272643
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in NC?
NC law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or over $1,000 in damage. For truly minor fender-benders with no injury and minimal damage, you may not be required to call police, but a report is still advisable for insurance purposes.
Should I call my own insurance even if the accident wasn't my fault?
Yes. Notify your carrier regardless of fault. Your carrier protects your interests and coordinates with the other driver's carrier. Delayed notification can complicate your claim.
What is contributory negligence in NC?
NC follows pure contributory negligence, meaning if you are even partially at fault (even 1%), you may be legally barred from recovering damages from the other driver. This is stricter than the majority of states, which use comparative fault rules.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies. NC requires carriers to offer UM coverage. If you have it, your carrier steps in to cover your damages up to your UM limit.
Written & Reviewed By
Cooper Parsons
Owner & Licensed Independent Insurance Agent
NC License #19272643 · IronHaven Insurance · Wake Forest, NC · 25+ carriers
“Cooper saved me a TON of money while finding even better coverage for my home and auto. He is a solid person who cares about his clients. I'd rate him 500 stars if I could!”
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Wake Forest, NC · Home & Auto
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Wake Forest, NC · Home Insurance
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North Carolina · Insurance Client
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