FAQs
You may be wondering what to do if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision that does not involve serious injury. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I call the police?
North Carolina law requires that a driver involved in a collision contact law enforcement by the quickest means possible if there was (1) injury to any person, (2) death to any person, or (3) total property damage is $500 or more. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor. It does not take much damage at current repair costs to exceed the statutory minimum, so it is always a good idea to contact the police.
People often decide not to involve the police. Although this may at first appear to be less time consuming, if the police are not called, the insurance company may be more likely to deny responsibility for claims made.
What should I do until the police arrive?
You should always find out if anyone was injured in the collision and make sure medical personnel are called, if needed. You should exchange information required by law to be given by each of the parties involved in the collision. This includes the name, address, and telephone number of the driver of each vehicle as well as each driver's license number, license plate, automobile insurance company and the appropriate policy number.
If there are any witnesses, get their names, addresses, and home and work telephone numbers.
Should I move my car before the police arrive?
Although it is preferred not to move your vehicle until the police have made their investigation, North Carolina law prohibits stranded vehicles upon the main traveled portion of the road, except when they are disabled. Therefore, if the police are not quickly on the scene and you are in a busy area, you may be forced to move your car to allow traffic to continue. If you cannot move your car, then take reasonable precautions to warn others of your location.
If you move your car, try to remember its exact location and tell the investigating officer. Before moving any cars, it is wise to take some photographs of the vehicles and the roadway. You may want to carry a small disposable camera in your glove box for this purpose.
What will the police do when they arrive?
The police are required to prepare a report. To complete the report, the investigating officer will interview the parties involved in the collision as well as other witnesses. The investigating officer will gather appropriate physical evidence (location at point of impact, length of skid marks, whether each vehicle's equipment was functioning properly, etc.) and the officer will issue citations as the circumstances indicate. Even if citations are not issued, the officer will likely note circumstances contributing to the cause of the collision.
The police will also require each party to prepare an "exchange card" which has the information that you may already have obtained from the other party regarding his or her identity and automobile insurance information. You should obtain the name and badge number of the investigating officer and determine which agency he or she works for (i.e., city police department, county sheriff's department, NC Highway Patrol, etc.).
What information will I need to make a property damage claim?
You will most likely need a copy of the Police Accident Report (available from the law enforcement agency that investigated the accident), and estimates on the costs of repair. You may also need statements from witnesses to establish what happened (and who was at fault), photographs of the accident scene or damaged vehicles, and receipts for any towing, storage, rental car, or other expenses you have incurred as a result of the collision.
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