What to do after a car accident in North Carolina
Every rule below is quoted from North Carolina law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
North Carolina is an at fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays the other driver when they cause a crash, and the state does not require no fault personal injury protection. A law enforcement officer who investigates a reportable crash must make a written report within 24 hours. A crash is reportable if it causes death or injury, or $1,000 or more in total property damage, or any damage to a vehicle that was seized under the state's impaired driving seizure law. You have 3 years from the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
Deadlines in North Carolina
- 3 years
- to sue for injuriesN.C. Gen. Stat. 1-52
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageN.C. Gen. Stat. 1-52
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathN.C. Gen. Stat. 1-53(4)
- 3 years (2 years for death)
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedN.C. Gen. Stat. 143-299, North Carolina Tort Claims Act
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
If you know or should know you were in a crash that hurt or killed someone, you must stop right away, give your name, address, driver's license number and license plate number, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt, including calling for medical help if it is needed.
“The driver shall also render reasonable assistance to any injured person. Reasonable assistance includes calling for medical assistance if it is apparent that such assistance is necessary.”
When you must call the police
A law enforcement officer who investigates a reportable crash must make a written report within 24 hours. A crash is reportable if it causes death or injury, or $1,000 or more in total property damage, or any damage to a vehicle that was seized under the state's impaired driving seizure law.
“A crash involving a motor vehicle that results in one or more of the following: (a) Death or injury of a human being. (b) Total property damage of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, or property damage of any amount to a vehicle seized pursuant to G.S. 20-28.3.”
Moving your car out of traffic
If a crash involves no injuries, each vehicle can be driven safely, and the drivers do not know of any injury or death, each vehicle must be moved out of the travel lane and onto the shoulder as soon as possible.
“each vehicle shall be moved as soon as possible out of the travel lane and onto the shoulder”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
North Carolina does not require the driver to separately file a written crash report with the DMV. The investigating law enforcement officer must make a written report within 24 hours of a reportable accident, and local agencies must forward that report to the DMV's Division of Motor Vehicles within 10 days.
“A law-enforcement officer who investigates a reportable accident...must make a written report of the accident within 24 hours of the accident and must forward it as required by this subsection.”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can request a North Carolina crash report by mailing or bringing a completed Crash Report Request form TR-67A with payment to the DMV. Mailed requests take about 10 business days to process, and requests of 5 records or fewer made in person are given right away. A certified copy costs $6 and 50 cents.
“Please allow 10 business days from the time of receipt for the request to be processed.”
Who pays for the damage
North Carolina is an at fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays the other driver when they cause a crash, and the state does not require no fault personal injury protection.
“No policy of bodily injury liability insurance, covering liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any motor vehicle, shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this State”
Insurance rules in North Carolina
What insurance every driver must carry
North Carolina drivers must carry at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage.
“fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to said limit for one person, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
No. North Carolina does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection or medical payments coverage.
“No policy of bodily injury liability insurance... shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this State... unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto... for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles”
If the other driver has no insurance
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is required on every North Carolina auto liability policy.
“unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto... for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles and hit-and-run motor vehicles”
Medical payments coverage
North Carolina does not require medical payments coverage. It is an optional add on that drivers can choose to buy.
“No policy of bodily injury liability insurance... shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this State... unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
File a complaint against an insurance company online with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, by mail, or by phone.
“Forward a copy of your complaint to your insurance company, and require the company to provide a response/explanation”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 3 years from the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
“Within three years -”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 3 years to sue over damage to your vehicle or other property from the crash.
“Within three years -”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
Family members have 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
“Within two years -”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a North Carolina state agency vehicle was involved, you must file a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission within 3 years of the crash, or within 2 years if the crash caused a death.
“a claim be filed with the Industrial Commission within three years after the accrual of such claim”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-279.21
- N.C.P.I.-Civil 104.10
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-52
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-53(4)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-299, North Carolina Tort Claims Act
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-4.01(33b), definition of reportable crash; N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-166.1
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-166
- NC DMV, Crash Reports
- NC Department of Insurance
- North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.