Steps To Take After a North Carolina Car Accident

North Carolina car accident victims who collect evidence, see a doctor, and understand their legal responsibilities are taking the right steps after a crash. If you don’t know how to protect your physical and legal safety following an accident, you could be putting yourself and your recovery at risk.

Informed, proactive victims can improve their potential car accident settlement or trial outcome. That’s why our experienced car accident attorneys have outlined what to do and who to contact after crash.

Your physical safety should be your priority after a collision. If your vehicle is blocking a lane or facing the wrong direction, you may be susceptible to additional damage or injuries from unavoidable chain-reaction crashes.

Follow these steps after a car accident to secure the scene of an accident:

• Stop the vehicle in a location that avoids creating an unnecessary traffic obstruction.
• Turn on hazard lights or other warning devices to alert other drivers.
• Check for injuries and assist the injured if reasonable.
• Call a police officer to report the accident and get assistance to secure the scene.

North Carolina observes contributory negligence laws, which bar people from seeking compensation if they are even 1% at fault for a collision. But even common car accident injuries can be costly to the person harmed, resulting in lost work, co-pays and medical bills, and pain and suffering. It’s essential to gather evidence to prove your innocence and make sure the other party pays for the damage they caused.

Lawyers often recommend keeping a note pad, pen, and disposable camera in your vehicle so if your cell phone is lost or damaged in a crash, you can still gather evidence at the scene. Notes and photos can be essential to safeguarding your right to a car accident settlement.

Car Accident Photos

Photographs provide concrete evidence of the scene and can be vital to North Carolina car accident victims. If you’re able after a crash, take photos to document:

• The entire scene, including highway signs, guardrails, and any landmarks that may help distinguish exactly where on the road the collision occurred
• The vehicles, showing points of impact, and any signs of equipment or mechanical failures, from blown tires to broken headlights
• The interior of your vehicle where signs of injury or damage are and to document whether airbags deployed
• License plates of other cars involved and any other details you may not recall later

Notes of the Crash Scene

While the police will usually fill out an accident information form and diagram, you should also document notes on your own. Capture all significant circumstances concerning the rash, including:

• The weather at the time of the accident
• The position of the cars after the accident
• The other driver’s behavior and any comments they make before the police arrive
• License plate numbers of any vehicles involved
• Distances of skid marks, traffic signs, and vehicle stop locations from other important markers

Serious injuries don’t always present themselves right away, and the adrenaline of getting in an accident can mask pain or other injury signals. That’s why seeing a doctor is such an important step after a car accident. Catastrophic brain injuries and internal bleeding are common car accident injuries that can turn fatal without swift medical care.

A doctor can check for serious internal injuries or other medical conditions caused by the crash and document any impacts that should be considered in your car accident settlement. Your medical records, including any prognosis or future care needs, are critical evidence for an injury claim.

By understanding your obligations, whether or not you caused the crash, you can make sure you meet your legal responsibilities and avoid negative repercussions that could jeopardize your car accident settlement.

Under North Carolina law, drivers involved in an accident that causes personal injury, wrongful death, or property damages must:

• Stop their vehicle
• Stay at or return to the scene
• Notify law enforcement

The only information North Carolina drivers are required to provide at the scene of a car accident is their name, license number, vehicle registration number, and contact information. If the other driver or anyone at the scene asks you for other personal information, such as where you work, you are not required to answer.

While you should assist the officer by providing basic facts about the crash, you do not need to make an official statement regarding fault or supply your opinion of the events while at the scene, at police headquarters, or anywhere. Remember that any written or oral statement you make about the accident may be used against you.

While it isn’t mandatory for motorists to report an accident that doesn’t result in significant damages or a personal injury or death, it may be advisable to do so. The police can create an unbiased record of the accident to support any potential personal injury claim and protect your rights to a car accident settlement.

Many people assume contacting their insurance company is a major step after a car accident, but this isn’t exactly true. The driver of the vehicle doesn’t need to contact the insurance provider themselves and can instead have an auto accident lawyer report the incident on their behalf. This gives the provider adequate notice of a claim but allows the attorney to field questions and handle the details while you focus on healing.

It is worth getting an attorney after a car accident because these professionals can answer any process questions, address liability concerns, or aid in handling the details, and the fees are often based on the compensation. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf for an adequate car accident settlement or pursue a lawsuit if necessary. If you were too injured in the crash to complete any of the steps above, an attorney can also step in to review the accident scene, interview witnesses, and inspect the vehicles to start building your case.

Don’t handle the aftermath of a serious crash alone. Get help from our experienced attorney to handle a North Carolina car accident the right way. The attorneys at Miller Law Group can investigate the crash, review your settlement offers, and help you get the best possible compensation. Contact our team for a free consultation today.