Know your legal obligations if you get into a car crash in North Carolina, such as reporting the accident and rendering aid.
As a driver in North Carolina, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the state’s laws about car accidents. Understanding your legal responsibilities can help you know what to do if you are ever involved in an accident.
In this article, we’ll discuss North Carolina car accident laws and outline the actions you need to take after a collision. For more information, you can also review Article 3 of the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Code.
1. North Carolina Driver Exchange of Information Law
Under North Carolina law, if you get into an accident that causes injury or death, you must stop and remain at the scene until law enforcement finishes investigating the crash. You must also provide your name, address, driver’s license number, and license plate number to the other parties.
The driver involved in a crash that has resulted in injury or death shall immediately stop. The driver shall remain with the vehicle at the scene of the crash until a law-enforcement officer completes the investigation of the crash or authorizes the driver to leave and the vehicle to be removed, unless remaining at the scene places the driver or others at significant risk of injury.
The driver shall give his or her name, address, driver’s license number and the license plate number of the vehicle to the person struck or the driver or occupants of any vehicle collided with, provided that the person or persons are physically and mentally capable of receiving such information.
2. North Carolina Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
After a car crash, North Carolina law requires you to provide “reasonable assistance” to others who are injured. This duty includes calling for medical assistance if the need for treatment is clear or the injured person asks for help.
The driver shall render to any person injured in such crash reasonable assistance, including the calling for medical assistance if it is apparent that such assistance is necessary or is requested by the injured person.
3. North Carolina Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
In North Carolina, if you’re involved in a crash that results in death, injury, or total property damage amounting to at least $1,000, you must notify local authorities immediately. Depending on the location of your crash, this may be either a police department within city limits, the State Highway Patrol, or a nearby sheriff’s office.
The driver involved in a reportable accident must immediately, by the quickest means of communication, notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of the accident.
If the accident occurred in a city or town, the appropriate agency is the police department of the city or town. If the accident occurred outside a city or town, the appropriate agency is the State Highway Patrol or the sheriff’s office or other qualified rural police of the county where the accident occurred.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates:
- Reportable Crash. A crash involving a motor vehicle that results in one or more of the following:
- Death or injury of a human being.
- Total property damage of $1,000 or more.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in North Carolina?
According to North Carolina law, failing to report an accident is considered a Class 2 misdemeanor offense. The consequences for a violation include up to 60 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
A violation of any provision of this section is a misdemeanor of the Class set in G.S. 20-176.
Unless a specific penalty is otherwise provided by law, a person convicted of a misdemeanor contained in this Article is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
4. North Carolina Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
If you get into a car crash that only damages property, North Carolina law requires you to stop immediately and exchange information with the other parties. If the property damage adds up to $1,000 or more, you must remain at the scene until law enforcement allows you to go.
The driver involved in a crash which results only in damage to property shall immediately stop.
If the crash is a reportable crash, the driver shall remain at the scene of the crash until a law enforcement officer completes the investigation of the crash or authorizes the driver to leave and the vehicle to be removed, unless remaining at the scene places the driver or others at significant risk of injury.
The driver shall give his or her name, address, driver’s license number and the license plate number of his vehicle to the driver or occupants of any other vehicle involved in the crash or to any person whose property is damaged in the crash.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates:
Reportable Crash. A crash involving a motor vehicle that results in one or more of the following:
- Death or injury of a human being.
- Total property damage of $1,000 or more.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in North Carolina?
After hitting and damaging a parked car in North Carolina, the law requires you to stop immediately. If there is $1,000 or more in damage, you must remain at the scene until law enforcement officers complete their investigation.
You are also legally obligated to provide the vehicle’s owner with your name, address, driver’s license number, and license plate number. If you cannot locate the owner, you must leave a note containing this information in or on the damaged vehicle.
The driver involved in a crash which results only in damage to property shall immediately stop.
If the crash is a reportable crash, the driver shall remain at the scene of the crash until a law enforcement officer completes the investigation of the crash or authorizes the driver to leave and the vehicle to be removed, unless remaining at the scene places the driver or others at significant risk of injury.
The driver shall give his or her name, address, driver’s license number and the license plate number of his vehicle to any person whose property is damaged in the crash.
If the damaged property is a parked and unattended vehicle and the name and location of the owner is not known to the driver of the responsible vehicle, the driver shall furnish the information to the nearest available peace officer or shall immediately place a paper-writing containing the information in a conspicuous place upon or in the damaged vehicle.
Before you get behind the wheel in North Carolina, it’s crucial to understand your obligations after an accident. Drivers who don’t adhere to the law may be subject to fines, punishments, and in some cases, criminal charges, so it’s important to ensure you completely fulfill your legal responsibilities.
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