At some point in our lives, most of us will be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Most of the time, as most car accident lawyers in Charlotte know, these accidents are minor. Nobody is seriously injured. The only thing you have to worry about is the damage to your car. In these minor fender-benders, it’s really tempting to just swap insurance information with the other driver. Nobody wants to sit around and wait for an hour or two for the cops to come and do their investigation. Not only does it seem to take forever, but it also means you could end up with a ticket.
This is why so many people decide to not call the cops, even though they’re supposed to. Not only is it the best thing to do to protect yourself, but it’s also the law. If you’re caught not reporting an accident, you can actually face criminal charges.
Regardless of the legal consequences of not reporting an accident, there are also other important reasons to do so. Car accident lawyers in Charlotte are going to depend on the police report to prove your case. If the other driver was at fault, you’re going to need to file a claim against their insurance. And, if your claim is denied, you may have to file a lawsuit. The police report contains very valuable information that can help your car accident lawyer in North Carolina prove that the other drive was at fault.
What Does the Law in North Carolina Say About Reporting a Car Accident?
The law in North Carolina is similar to laws in most other states. You are required to report any car accident that results in the following:
- More than $1,000 in property damage – This included damage to all vehicles involved in the crash. It is often impossible to know for sure the total damage caused in any crash, even a minor one.
- Any accident that results in bodily injury – The law doesn’t require that the bodily injury be serious. It can include any bodily injury. It is impossible to know whether anyone is injured in a car accident as it can be hours or days before they show symptoms.
- Any crash that causes the death of another person – If anyone is killed in the crash – a driver, passenger or pedestrian – it must be reported.
You don’t have an option when it comes to the reporting laws. If you don’t properly report it, you will face criminal charges. The best thing to do is to call the police and let them do their job.
The Police Report Contains Information Vital to Your Case
Once the accident scene is cleared, it can never truly be recreated. This is why it’s best to call 911 immediately after your North Carolina car accident. This way, the police can do a thorough investigation of the scene. This includes things like the road conditions, the position of the vehicles and the presence of witnesses. If you don’t call the police, none of this will be officially documented.
The other thing to keep in mind is that witnesses may be willing to talk to the cops. They won’t be willing to talk to private car accident lawyers in Charlotte. People don’t like to get involved in legal matters. It can prove to be time consuming and very inconvenient.
The police report contains very specific and detailed information that will go a long way toward proving your case. Some of this includes:
- A description of the accident scene
- The drivers’ license and insurance information
- Confirmation if the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Description and pictures of the damage to your car
Your car accident lawyer in Charlotte will need all of this to help prove your damages.
Call Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Charlotte Immediately
If you are involved in a car accident in North Carolina, you need to call our office right away. Talk to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Set up a time to have your free initial consultation. You can talk to someone who knows what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Make sure you are able to provide a copy of the police report to your lawyer. This way, they can start to prepare your case right away. The consultation is free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is resolved.
