Accident Guide in North Carolina

What to Do

If you're involved in a crash, how you react afterwards can go a long ways towards saving you money and, depending on the situation, saving lives.

• If you're involved in an accident, don't flee. You will be wanted by the law, regardless if you were at fault.

• Take precautions to prevent other cars from adding to the accident. If possible, remove all the vehicles involved from the road. And then stay at the side of the road.

• Offer assistance to the injured. Do not move an injured person unless there's immediate danger, like a burning vehicle.

• Contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

• Exchange information with all involved parties. Be sure to provide your name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration number and vehicle insurance provider.

• Try to get the names and numbers of witnesses.

The Law

Make an immediate report to the police if anyone is killed or injured, or if the total damage to cars and personal property tops $1,000. Failure to report the accident could balloon into legal hassles and result in a suspended license.

Obtaining a Crash Report

To obtain a crash report, complete a Request a Crash Report form. Mail it, along with a check for $5, to:

• NCDOT-DMV

• Traffic Records Section

• 3105 Mail Service Center

• Raleigh, NC 27699-3105

Or, drop it off in person at:

• NCDMV Headquarters Building

• 1100 New Bern Avenue

• Annex Building, Room 101

• Raleigh, NC 27699-3113

Parked Car Collisions

If you hit a parked car and leave a ding, try to find the owner. If you can't, leave a note with your name, number, and insurance information on the windshield. Then, report the collision to the local police (campus police if you're on a college campus) or to the highway patrol. If the note blows away, it'll be considered a hit-and-run, unless it's been reported. This is true even if the damage is under $1,000.

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