North Carolina Car Accident Statistics 2024 – Traffic Crash Facts

Car accidents happen every day for many reasons, and it is vital to know the risks you face on the road and what to do after an accident occurs. A North Carolina car accident lawyer is an invaluable asset for any driver injured by the actions of others.

While knowing the latest car accident statistics can help you understand the dangers you face on the road, it is crucial to know what to do after an accident occurs.

Important Accident Statistics for the State

The North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and various other government agencies and non-government organizations collect accident data from across the state each year. Car accident rates remain relatively high, and these incidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths each year.

The following are some important statistics from recent years:

• In 2021, 276,026 car accidents were reported in the state. This was an almost 12% increase from 2020. In 2022, the total number of reported accidents fell slightly to 273,732.
• There were 1,783 fatalities from vehicle accidents in 2021.
• One hundred fourteen thousand seven hundred seventy-two total people were injured in car accidents in 2021, and this number fell to 110,544 for 2022.
• More than 70% of car accidents reported occurred between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The most commonly cited causes of car accidents in the state include distracted driving, speeding, accidental lane departure, and intoxication behind the wheel.

These statistics indicate a few of the dangers that all drivers face on the roads, so these drivers must also know what to do to recover from their accidents. An experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer is an essential asset for any driver who has been harmed by another driver’s negligence or misconduct behind the wheel.

How to Recover From a Car Accident in North Carolina?

Most accidents happen because of negligence, which is failure to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. Speeding and distracted driving are the most common examples of this. Accidents can also occur from illegal misconduct, such as intoxicated driving. No matter how your recent accident happened, you need to know how to recover from the incident and secure as much compensation as possible from the at-fault driver.

If you were recently hurt in a car accident that someone else caused, it is vital to know how you can hold them accountable for your damages. Under the state’s fault rule, the driver who caused the accident is entirely responsible for the damages they caused. However, North Carolina upholds a contributory fault rule that will prevent a plaintiff from recovering compensation if they are shown to be liable for causing the accident.

Your attorney can help gather the evidence needed to firmly assert fault for your recent accident. Once you prove that the accident occurred entirely due to the actions of the defendant in your case, you can collect compensation for your losses with an auto insurance claim. Every driver in the state must have auto insurance that includes coverage for property damage and bodily injury they inflict on others in an accident.

Your attorney can help resolve your insurance claim, and if this does not yield full compensation for your damages, they can help build a personal injury suit in North Carolina against the at-fault driver. You can potentially recover compensation for all economic damages the defendant caused, such as vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost income; you can also hold them accountable for your pain and suffering.

North Carolina Car Accident FAQs

Q: How Common Are Car Crashes?

A: The last several yearly reports for vehicle accidents in North Carolina have shown steady increases in accident rates, injury rates, and fatality rates. In 2022, more than 273,000 car accidents were reported throughout the state, resulting in more than 110,000 injuries. You can reduce your risk of causing an accident by driving defensively and attentively at all times.

Q: What Is the Most Common Cause of Car Accidents?

A: According to the most recently available accident reports, distracted driving is the most commonly cited cause of accidents in the state. Cell phone use while driving is the most common form of distracted driving responsible for causing accidents, but it is important for drivers to remember that anything that distracts their attention away from the safe operation of their vehicle is potentially dangerous.

Q: Is North Carolina a No-Fault State for Auto Accidents?

A: No. It upholds the fault rule, meaning the driver at fault for an accident absorbs liability for the resulting damages, and proving fault will be an essential first step in any injured driver’s recovery process following an accident. A car accident lawyer can help their client gather the evidence they need to firmly assert liability for a recent crash and hold the at-fault driver appropriately accountable for the harm they’ve done.

Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Car Accident?

A: Proving fault for some accidents is easier than it is for others. Evidence you may require for proving fault for a recent accident can include physical evidence from the scene of the crash, statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen, digital evidence like the other driver’s cell phone records, and even expert witness testimony if liability for your accident is unclear.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

A: While you have the right to try to recover from your recent car accident without hiring an attorney, it is risky in several ways, and you could jeopardize your recovery if you attempt to do so. When you have an attorney representing you, they can handle your legal affairs so you can recover with peace of mind, and they know the optimal ways to maximize your recovery as much as state law permits.

Experienced North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Ready to Assist You

The team at the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC, has more than 20 years of professional experience representing all types of injury cases on behalf of clients, and our firm has earned a solid reputation as a leading choice for legal representation after a car accident.

If you are ready to learn what a North Carolina car accident lawyer can do for your recovery, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney you can trust.