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No one wants their day to end up completely disrupted by a car crash, but there are rules imposed by the state in the event of a wreck. When there’s property damage or personal injury involved in a car crash, the drivers have to remain at the scene and report the collision to the appropriate North Carolina authorities.
Unfortunately, some people won’t wait for the police and other first responders to arrive after a crash. In fact, they won’t even stop their vehicles at all. They will drive away, possibly in a very damaged vehicle, in the hopes of avoiding responsibility for the crash that just occurred.
What happens to you after a hit-and-run crash in North Carolina?
You need to file a police report
Not only do you still need to follow the law that mandates a crash report, but you need the help of the police to investigate the collision. Calling to report a hit-and-run will help you navigate insurance claims later and may result in the police locating the other driver.
If you do find the person who caused the crash, you can either make a claim against their car insurance or take them to civil court. Occasionally, both steps are necessary if the hit-and-run crash caused major property damage or severe injuries.
You may need to look into your other options
Unfortunately, a hit-and-run collision may not be a tough priority for local law enforcement. When there are no witnesses and no security camera footage to help them identify the other party, the investigation may not go anywhere.
You might only have the protection of your own insurance policy. Every driver in North Carolina typically has the option of adding uninsured and underinsured motorist protection to their insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist protection can cover the expenses that liability insurance would have paid for if the other driver stopped the way that the law requires.
Drivers who experience a hit-and-run crash may need help communicating with their insurance company or even with law enforcement agencies in their attempt to recoup their losses. Knowing what to expect after different kinds of car wrecks can help you limit the harm a crash causes you and your family.