¿Qué hacer tras un accidente de tráfico en North Carolina?

The immediate aftermath of car accidents tends to be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Taking proper action enables the protection of your rights while ensuring your personal safety and streamlining insurance and legal claims. Knowing what to do after a car accident in North Carolina can help you secure a better outcome.

North Carolina Car Accident Statistics

En state of North Carolina records numerous annual car accidents, while crash statistics show differences among various cities. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recorded 273,732 total crashes in 2022. Inattentive or speeding motorists in heavy traffic areas contribute to many vehicular accidents.

Traffic Patterns & High-Risk Areas

North Carolina’s roads have notorious trouble spots. The I-485 loop in Charlotte, along with intersections such as South Tryon St. and Westinghouse Blvd, is infamous for heavy traffic and recurring accidents. The I-40/I-440 interchange in Raleigh experiences a high frequency of rear-end and merging collisions during rush hours.

Rural highways across the state, such as US-70 near Goldsboro, experience high-speed accidents because of limited traffic enforcement. Locations frequently involved in accidents usually contain sharp turns, which are typical in mountain regions of the west, along with dark roads during nighttime. Traveling outside of peak hours, which run from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM, helps lower your potential danger on busy and risky road segments.

Ensure Your Safety

After a car accident in North Carolina, you must prioritize making sure everyone involved is safe. Examine yourself and your passengers for injuries and contact 911 right away for medical help if injuries are present.

Whenever possible and without danger to yourself or others, drive your vehicle off to the side of the road to avoid additional collisions and switch on your hazard lights for visibility to other drivers. Do not attempt to move vehicles if they cannot be moved or if moving them would result in more harm. Instead, wait for emergency responders to arrive.

Call Law Enforcement

In North Carolina, accidents resulting in injuries, deaths, or extensive property damage must be reported to law enforcement. For minor accidents, an official police report provides valuable documentation needed for insurance claims and any possible legal issues.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (704-336-7600) and Raleigh Police Department (919-829-1911) serve as primary police contacts and maintain stations throughout both cities. People residing near Boone in rural areas can depend on Watauga County Sheriff’s offices (828-264-3761) for essential services. Ensure you have these numbers ready and dial 911 when you require urgent assistance.

Document the Accident Scene

Collecting evidence from the accident site helps protect your legal rights and strengthens your insurance claim. Document the accident scene with photographs showing vehicle damage along with road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Collect names and addresses and obtain driver’s license numbers, as well as insurance policy details from everyone involved in the accident.

Obtain contact details from any witnesses present since their accounts might provide important insights into the incident. Your case becomes stronger when you gather extensive documentation to present to insurance adjusters or legal representatives.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You should immediately inform your insurance provider about the accident. Share detailed information and work with their investigation, but exercise caution while explaining the accident. Remember to communicate only factual information and refrain from making comments that might suggest you were at fault.

Under the state’s “contributory negligence” system, any fault on your part in an accident can prevent you from receiving damages, which is stricter than comparative negligence laws used by many other states.

Seek Medical Attention

You should always get medical attention after an accident, even when you feel okay. Whiplash injuries, along with concussions and internal trauma, often remain hidden initially but can develop into serious health issues later on. Maintaining documentation of all medical appointments and treatment plans can serve as additional relevant evidence for your case.

Two main hospitals in Charlotte consist of Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center at 1000 Blythe Blvd, with contact number 704-355-2000, and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, located at 200 Hawthorne Ln, with the phone number 704-384-4000. Patients in Raleigh can find emergency services at WakeMed Raleigh Campus, located at 3000 New Bern Ave, with contact number 919-350-8000.

Preguntas frecuentes

Q: What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident in NC?

A: After a car accident in North Carolina, assess injuries and contact emergency medical services if necessary. Ensure your safety by moving to a secure area, then contact law enforcement to report the collision and collect the other driver’s details. Take pictures of the accident scene and collect contact details from any witnesses. Contact your insurance company quickly and get medical help even when injuries are not yet visible.

Q: Are Tourists the Cause of Accidents in North Carolina?

A: Tourists visit North Carolina because of its beaches and mountains, but the arrival of out-of-town drivers tends to raise the accident rate. During the summer months, the NC-12 coastal road near the Outer Banks attracts unfamiliar drivers who often misinterpret narrow roads or become distracted by the scenery, resulting in head-on collisions.

The Blue Ridge Parkway attracts many visitors but also reports numerous accidents involving tourists who are not accustomed to its winding stretches without guardrails, particularly during the fall leaf season.

Q: Do Weather Conditions Contribute to Accidents in North Carolina?

A: Weather conditions can contribute to accidents in North Carolina. During winter months, dense fog, along with icy roads, results in frequent spinouts and pileups in the western mountains, such as in Asheville, particularly on I-26. Hurricane season from June to November brings heavy rainfall and flooding risks to coastal areas like Wilmington, which leads to widespread hydroplaning dangers. Greensboro and other Piedmont areas experience slippery road conditions due to regular spring and fall rainstorms.

Contacte Steven T. Meier, PLLC Hoy

If you have experienced an accident in North Carolina, consider reaching out to an experienced car accident attorney. They can help you understand the laws relevant to your case, including the contributory negligence rule, the prescripción to file a claim, and the requirements to pursue legal action. A skilled lawyer can manage negotiations and collect additional evidence to represent your rights and secure fair compensation for you.

If you suffered physical, financial, or even psychological damage after being in a car accident, you may be able to recover financial compensation. Steven T. Meier, PLLC, can help you seek justice. Póngase en contacto con nosotros to get started.