Wake County drivers may have been celebrating that their 2015 driving fatalities were slightly lower than the 10-year average, but total reportable crashes for the entire state are still on the way up.
Although it may be impossible to prevent a car accident in North Carolina, drivers still can protect themselves in the case that an accident does occur. Steer this way for measures to keep you safe even after a crash.
Don’t Run
Fight or flight is real.
And after a car accident in North Carolina, it can feel like second nature to drive off towards home in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, or your planned destination.
Don’t do it.
You need to stay put to see the accident cleanup through.
You may face far more fines, penalties, and even jail time if you flee.
Instead, use the time to regroup, check yourself and your passengers, help if necessary, and contact your insurance agent.
Once you know you are safe and sound, your insurance agent should be your first call.
Insurance agents are trained to take over, help you in the immediate and in the aftermath.
Your agent will already know an entire checklist of “what’s next” after the accident so that you don’t have to.
Finding Safe Spots
Once you’ve exchanged information or are freed to go by the police, you may want to find a safe spot to rest in and just shake off everything that just happened.
Police departments throughout the Triangle have created “safe zones,” used for buying and selling items online, but welcoming drivers at any time.
These spots are patrolled (which means that if you still need some help or have questions, an officer is never too far away) and are an ideal place to gather your thoughts quietly without risk.
Check Yourself
Once the dust clears and you’ve cleaned yourself up, you’re going to want to get all of the information about your car accident in North Carolina to prep yourself for insurance needs, court appearances, and what may happen to your driving record.
Fortunately, you can do a lot of this research online.
Most local police departments have a crash database, which has fairly up to date details. For example, the Raleigh police department posts crash data within three days of accidents.
You’ll need to know the report number from the police officer or several more details – this keeps privacy locked down.
Review your records and check for any inconsistencies – they do happen.
Had a Car Accident in North Carolina? Help is Here
Whether you followed the above advice to prep yourself with an insurance team ahead of an accident or are scrambling now, don’t worry.
Help is available.
Good insurance agents make themselves available around the clock because accidents don’t happen on a schedule.
Find help here.
Click to send us some information and we will get back to you. You can describe your accident confidentially and securely in our notes box on the contact form. Select the type of vehicle from our drop-down too, or we can discuss it when we get in touch.
