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Posting on Social Media After a Car Accident in North Carolina Can Wreck Your Case—Here's How

After a traumatic car crash, it’s natural to want to reach out to family and friends. Whether you’re looking for support, sympathy, or just an opportunity to vent your frustrations, social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can provide that outlet.

Unfortunately, when you use social media after a car accident, you may be setting a trap for yourself—especially if you plan to (or already have) filed an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, even a seemingly innocent post that has nothing to do with the crash or the case could damage or even destroy your personal injury claim.

To help you understand how your social media activity can harm your legal case after a car accident, we’ve put together a list of common ways that the defense attorneys in your case could use the posts, comments, and pictures from your social media accounts against you. 

When You Post on Social Media, the Insurance Company Sees It, Too

Closeup of a person posting to social media on a mobile device

After a car accident, the auto insurer is going to conduct an independent investigation of your claim and gather evidence about the crash, your injuries, and your medical treatment.

It’s important to understand that their investigation is not neutral or impartial, and the insurance adjuster is not your friend. Insurance companies have a financial incentive to deny accident victims’ claims, so they look carefully and thoroughly for any evidence that can be used to harm your personal injury case.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for them to find that evidence on your social media accounts and public posts. You should assume that anything you post publicly, or is posted about you publicly, will be seen by the insurer. And that means you need to be careful.

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5 Ways Social Media Can Be Used Against You in a Personal Injury Case

Even if you think you have nothing to hide, the unfortunate reality is that words, images, and even location check-ins that seem totally innocent—or even completely irrelevant—could be twisted and used against you by an insurance company acting in bad faith.

Here are a few of the most common tactics.

1. Your Comments About the Crash Might Be Interpreted as an Admission of Fault 

People say all sorts of things in the stressful moments after a crash, and they have a natural tendency to want to apologize—or give others the benefit of doubt—even when it wasn’t their fault. Unfortunately, these statements can hurt your case, especially when social media preserves them for the defense to review and use against you. 

Even brief comments that seem innocent, like “I never saw them coming” or “I couldn’t stop” give the other side something to work with as they try to argue that you played a role—even a minor one—in causing your own injuries.

In North Carolina, an admission of fault is especially costly. That’s because the state is one of just four in the U.S. that follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, which means that anyone who is even slightly at fault for an accident is barred from making any financial recovery. Even if a jury determines you were just 5% or even 1% responsible, you will still walk away with nothing.

RELATED POST: Why Contributory Negligence Matters for Your North Carolina Personal Injury Claim

2. Talking About Your Case Could Destroy Your Confidentiality 

When you talk with your lawyer about your case in private, you have complete confidentiality. Attorney-client privilege prohibits the lawyer from disclosing the details of your conversation (or other correspondence, such as letters or emails) to anyone else, or from anyone finding out what you talked about with your lawyer.

However, the details of your case only remain confidential if you’ve shared them with your lawyer and no one else. If you share information about your car accident and subsequent recovery on social media, that information becomes public and can be used against you. This includes information about things like: 

  • The circumstances of the crash 
  • Your physical health 
  • Medical conditions
  • Your mental health
  • Your emotional state 

Any confidentiality protections that would have prevented the insurance company or their defense attorney from knowing about this information go out the window. 

3. The Defense Might Use Your Activities to Claim You’re Not Really Hurt 

Recovery from a car accident can be a long and difficult process, and every victim deserves bright moments in that journey. No one should expect you to be miserable all the time; attending a party with friends or having a night out at a sporting event might be the type of activity that lifts your spirits and motivates you to push forward in your recovery.

From the perspective of the insurance company and their lawyers, however, any moment of celebration or joy that you document on social media is ammunition they can use to claim you’re exaggerating your pain and suffering. 

It doesn’t matter that your photo or status update doesn’t tell the full story. Maybe you were fighting through pain the entire time and barely managed to get out of the house. But even if there is an entirely innocent explanation, the insurer knows that these kinds of pictures can still have a large emotional impact on jury and put doubt in their minds. They won’t hesitate to pounce on anything they find in your social media feed and play it up as much as possible.

4. Even Being Too Active Online Might Hurt Your Case 

So, you didn’t make any comments about the accident. You didn’t post any pictures of yourself at a birthday party or cookout having a beer with friends. That means you’re in the clear, right? 

Maybe not. The insurance company could still try to use your overall activity level on social media as evidence that you’re exaggerating your injuries. If you’re posting, liking, commenting, or “checking in” constantly and you seem a little too upbeat or “normal” in your activities, the defense may try to argue that you haven’t experienced as much physical and emotional pain as you say. 

This may seem completely ridiculous to the average person—should an injured and recovering victim not use their phone or computer and keep up with friends and family on social media? Still, it’s something you need to be ready for, because the defense will grasp at anything they can find to try and undermine your case. 

5. Someone Else’s Posts Can Be Used Against You, Too

Even if you follow all the above advice to the letter, there’s one more important thing to remember—while you can control what you post, you can’t always control what others post about you. If those social media posts are visible to others, the insurance company’s investigation may find them.

It’s natural for parents, close family members, and other loved ones to want to show their love and support (or vent their frustrations) over social media. So you may need to have a very frank, honest discussion with them about why they shouldn’t do so, and how important it is. As bad as you would feel if one of your own posts wrecked your case, imagine how bad a loved one feel if the posted photos used against you by the defense were theirs.

Avoid discussing your car accident with anyone who does not need to know the details—in other words, your attorney and your medical team. If you are planning to spend time with others, ask them to refrain from posting about you, posting photos of you, tagging you in images, etc.

Finally, don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know, or don’t know well. Ask your friends and loved ones to do the same. Unfortunately, this is a common (and easy) way that an investigator can gain access to supposedly “private” posts.

The Best Solution? Stay Off Social Media as Much as Possible After a Car Accident 

A person using a mobile device to photograph plants

We know it might sound difficult, but we usually recommend that victims stay off social media platforms completely after car accidents.

It might feel lonely and frustrating to be out of touch with people, but imagine how angry and helpless you’ll feel later if your social media activity ends up hurting your case and costing you tens of thousands of dollars (or more) in potential damages that you need to pay medical bills and expenses. 

What About Making Posts Private?

While we do recommend that you set all your social media accounts to private as soon as possible after your accident, you should not let this give you a false sense of security. It might make it more difficult for the insurer to review your posts, but the reality is that they are often able to gain access anyway.

The privacy settings on your social media account don’t really matter when it comes to a personal injury lawsuit. Courts have repeatedly ruled that social media users can’t expect privacy when they post online. Even content marked or tagged as “private”—including direct messages to other users that are never intended to be seen by anyone else—can be used as evidence in lawsuits.

Truthfully, there’s no combination of privacy settings that can make your social media content “safe” after a car accident. You should always treat that anything you post as publicly accessible, regardless of settings.

What if I’ve Already Posted About My Accident on Social Media?

If you’ve already posted information on your social accounts and you’re regretting it after you read this article, do NOT go back and delete the posts or content in question. The consequences for this could be serious.

The court might view this as tampering with evidence, especially if the attorneys for the other side have already made a discovery request asking for access to your social media accounts. (It’s also worth noting that “deleting” a post doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone forever—they could still be stored on the social media company’s servers, and potentially be retrieved.)

Instead, leave your social media accounts alone and call an experienced car accident attorney right away for advice about your case. 

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in North Carolina and you have questions about how you should handle social media, or whether posts you’ve already created could cause trouble, the attorneys at Myers Law Firm can help. Give us a call for a free, no-risk consultation with an experienced attorney from our team right away. 

Contact Myers Law Firm if You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident in North Carolina

At Myers Law Firm, we understand that the time after a serious car crash is often confusing, stressful, and scary. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. When you choose us to represent you, we’ll act as your advocate and use our legal experience and resources to fight relentlessly for you until your case reaches a resolution. 

Call our offices today at 888-376-2889 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation with us. We’ll use this time to get to know you, learn about your case, and inform you about your legal options so you can go forward with confidence. 

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

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We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

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North Carolina Auto Insurance Policies and Processes

After an accident, your first instinct might be to turn to your insurance company for help, but their priority is to maximize profits — not compensate you for your injuries and losses. Some states, like North Carolina, have policies and laws that complicate this insurance process even further and provide additional ways for insurance companies to avoid paying full compensation. Rather than turning to your insurance company, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately after your accident to discern if you have a valid claim.

Here’s what you need to know about North Carolina auto insurance policies and processes to keep you and your family safe on the road.

1. Is Auto Insurance Required in North Carolina?

Basic liability insurance, which covers damages to other people (bodily injury liability) and their vehicles (property damage liability) as the result of an accident involving the covered automobile, is required in the state of North Carolina.


2. What Is Contributory Negligence?

In North Carolina, the Contributory Negligence Law states that the injured party cannot collect any compensation from the other driver if the injured party was also at-fault for the accident. This applies even if the injured person is only 1% at fault and the other driver is 99% at fault. This harsh law hurts injury victims.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Is Negligence, Anyway?

3. What Is Med Pay Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

Med Pay covers all necessary and reasonable medical expenses of anyone in the covered vehicle up to the policy limits regardless of whether you played a role in the accident.


In states with contributory negligence laws, Med Pay is critical since being found 1% at-fault for an accident will leave you unable to collect any liability insurance money. (Collision insurance is also recommended to help pay for damages to your vehicle.)

RELATED ARTICLE: How Med Pay Coverage Can Help You After a Car Crash.

4. What Happens If I Don’t Have Auto Insurance?

Letting your auto insurance lapse (or not having any to begin with) will result in civil penalty fines, license suspension, and even jail time for repeat offenses.

Furthermore, in the event you’re found to be at-fault for a collision, you could pay anywhere from a few thousand to a few hundred thousand dollars in out-of-pocket medical bills and damages to the other driver(s) — in addition to your own bills.

5. What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured and underinsured coverage helps protect persons who’ve been injured in an accident with a driver carrying little or no insurance.

  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: North Carolina requires all policies to include bodily injury and property damage uninsured motorist coverage. This covers drivers and pedestrians in cases where the negligent driver does not have any auto insurance.
  • Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage is only included in certain policies and adds additional coverage in situations where the negligent driver’s liability insurance has a very low policy limit.

6. What Affects My Insurance Rates?

Insurance companies base their rates on the driver’s level of risk. Some factors included in this risk calculation are:

  • Age
  • Credit score
  • Driving history
  • Location of residence
  • Type of vehicle
  • Average vehicle use

7. What Is the Safe Driver Incentive Plan?

The North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) is a point-based system that increases the cost of your insurance based on the number of points on your record. Insurance rates are increased by a specific percent depending on the extent of the violation and its corresponding point value.

For instance, a single point is given for at-fault accidents resulting in damages less than either $1,800 in medical expenses or $2,300 in total property damage. This single point increases your insurance rates by 30%.

8. Does North Carolina Offer Auto Insurance Discounts?

Always ask about insurance discounts when looking for a new policy. Keeping a clean record is the most efficient way to save money on your insurance, but there are often discounts available as well. According to the North Carolina DMV, that might include discounts for:

  • Excellent driving
  • Being a good student
  • Owning multiple cars
  • Owning a home
  • Installing an auto-theft alarm

9. What Should I Do After an Accident?

After an accident, you should call the police so a police report can be created. You should also collect the following information related to the other driver:

  • Basic Information: Name, address, and phone number
  • License Information: Driver’s license and license plate number
  • Insurance Information: Name of the insurance company and policy number

Additionally, if you feel you are injured, even slightly, always seek medical treatment after an accident. Official documentation of your injuries can be very useful in insurance claims.

Before speaking to an insurance adjustor, you should contact a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Things You Should Never Do After an Auto Accident.

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Contact Myers Law Firm If You’ve Been in an Accident

Winning an insurance claim in North Carolina can be a very complicated process. Due to Contributory Negligence Laws, if you are found to be just 1% responsible for the accident, the insurance company is not required to provide compensation. Working with a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer from the start can help you prove the other driver’s negligence and receive fair compensation for any injuries and damages you’ve suffered.

Contact Myers Law Firm for assistance navigating North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws and determining the strength of your potential claim. Please complete this brief online form or call (704) 376-3000 today to schedule your free consultation.

References

A consumer guide to automobile insurance. (2018, March). North Carolina Department of Insurance. Retrieved from http://www.ncdoi.com/_Publications/ Consumer%20Guide%20to%20Automobile%20Insurance_CAU1.pdf

North Carolina car insurance. (2013, October). Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina/car-insurance.php

What is the penalty for driving in North Carolina without insurance? (2017, November). Car Insurance Comparison. Retrieved from https://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/what-is-the-penalty-for-driving-without-car-insurance-in-north-carolina/ 

 

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

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We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

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Three Reasons to Go to the Doctor After Car Accident

It might be tempting to skip going to the doctor after you’ve been in a car accident. Maybe you think you can tough it out, or you’re hoping the pain will get better on its own. Before you skip going to the doctor, take a few minutes and read this article. There are plenty of good reasons why you should always receive medical attention after you’ve been involved in a car accident.

Here are three reasons to go to the doctor after experiencing a car accident.

1. You Need to Take Care of Yourself and Look Out for Your Long-Term Health

First and foremost, you need to take care of yourself. Even if you think you can tough it out or don’t believe you are injured very badly, it’s still best to seek medical attention. Latent injuries like concussions, whiplash, or internal wounds are not always immediately apparent, and they can become more dangerous (and more expensive) the longer you wait to seek treatment.

RELATED BLOG ARTICLE: Do I Have to Pay My Own Medical Bills After a Car Crash?

Traumatic car accidents can also cause mental and emotional damage that can be just as damaging as physical injuries. Emotional stress is very real and, like physical injuries, can be dangerous when left untreated. It’s not unusual for victims to experience stress, anxiety, insomnia, or even PTSD after a terrible accident. It’s normal to have a fear of driving or even riding in a car for some time. A medical professional can recommend appropriate treatment for your emotional anguish and help you begin to live your life again after a wreck.

2. Visiting a Doctor Right Away Can Help You Avoid Bogus Arguments From the Insurance Company

Medical bills can pile up after a car crash, and going to the doctor if you are injured ensures detailed documentation of your injuries. Insurance companies will review this paper trail when assessing your claim and deciding how much money you’re owed.

The insurance company wants to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible after an accident. They’ll do whatever they can to claim that you were not injured. When you try to tough it out and wait to go to the doctor but then demand compensation for your injuries later, the insurance company will claim that you aren’t owed anything because your injuries weren’t severe enough to merit going to the hospital right away.

While this bullying tactic isn’t fair to victims who’ve been injured in an accident that was not their fault, it happens every day — which is why, in addition to seeking prompt medical treatment, reaching out to an experienced car accident lawyer is in your best interest. An attorney can deal with the insurance company and help you navigate the complex insurance claims system in North Carolina.

3. Medical Treatment Establishes Critical Evidence for a Lawsuit

You might not want to think about anything other than recovering from your injuries after a car accident, but when you’ve sustained traumatic injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve fair compensation. Medical records document your physical condition. The longer you wait to get examined, the more challenging it will be to prove the extent of your injuries and demand compensation for your suffering.

Medical records allow your attorney to support you in the event you decide to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses and suffering. These records provide evidence to support your claims. X-rays, doctor’s notes, and patient files are all proof that you’ve suffered as much as you say you have. Without these records, it would be incredibly challenging for you to prove your case, no matter how devastating your injuries. If you can’t prove these damages, in the eyes of the court, they don’t exist. Going to see a medical professional for physical and emotional wounds is the best way to make sure you have everything you need to fight for justice and fair compensation.

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Myers Law Firm: Helping North Carolina Car Wreck Victims Seek Justice and Prioritize Health

If you’ve suffered injuries as a result of another driver’s negligence in North Carolina, you’re entitled to financial compensation under the law. The attorneys at Myers Law Firm are experienced, compassionate, and ready to fight for justice on your behalf.

Please contact us today by calling (888) 376-2889 or completing our easy and convenient online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

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We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

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Medical Payments Coverage

After a serious car crash, as the medical bills start piling up, you might wonder who will pay them. The answer could be the medical payments coverage on your insurance policy.

For many North Carolina accident victims, medical payments (Med Pay) coverage offers much-needed compensation while they recover from their injuries. However, to get value out of Med Pay coverage, it’s important to understand how this coverage works and what types of losses it covers.

What Is Med Pay Insurance?

Med Pay is an optional form of motor vehicle insurance coverage in North Carolina. After a car crash, Med Pay should cover your reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to your policy limit.

Unlike most other types of motor vehicle coverage, you do not have to prove fault or liability to receive compensation from Med Pay. Even if you caused the crash, you might have a valid Med Pay claim.

It’s also important to understand what Med Pay won’t cover. Unlike some forms of insurance, Med Pay doesn’t compensate you for your lost wages or income. It also won’t address your pain, suffering, or emotional distress.

RELATED: Here’s How the Insurance Company Will Fight Your Personal Injury Claim

Your Med Pay policy covers more than just you (the policyholder). It also typically protects:

  • Your spouse
  • Family members that live in your household
  • People who are passengers in the covered motor vehicle

In fact, your Med Pay policy covers you and family members who live with you even when you’re riding in someone else’s vehicle, walking on the street, or riding your bike. If your household has multiple Med Pay policies, you can also “stack” them and receive compensation from more than one policy if you have significant medical bills.

Unfortunately, most people purchase very limited Med Pay policies, and they end up with $2,000 or less in coverage. If you’ve ever been to the hospital for an injury, you know that $2,000 won’t pay for much in the way of medical treatment. Because the premiums on most Med Pay policies are relatively inexpensive, we encourage everyone to purchase as much coverage as they can reasonably afford.

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How Do I File a Med Pay Claim?

People who suffer injuries in a crash often don’t even realize they have Med Pay coverage, and unfortunately, their insurance company typically won’t remind them. To determine whether you have Med Pay, you can review your auto insurance declaration page, which list the types of coverage included in your policies. If you’ve been injured in or around Charlotte and you need help obtaining or interpreting your declaration page, contact Myers Law Firm for assistance.

If you have Med Pay coverage, you should contact your insurance company immediately after a wreck. You’ll have to provide them with information about the circumstances of the crash, your injuries, and the medical treatment you received.

Sometimes, insurance companies deny Med Pay claims. For example, they might argue that your treatment was unreasonable or unnecessary, especially if the treatment involved a relatively new drug or technology. If your insurance company tells you they won’t pay your Med Pay claim, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for help.

How Is Med Pay Different Than PIP Coverage?

You might have heard of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP is another form of no-fault insurance that covers your medical bills and lost wages after a car crash.

PIP policies are not available in North Carolina. However, if you are an out-of-state driver or recently moved to North Carolina, you might have a PIP policy. If you’ve been injured in a crash in or around Charlotte, you can contact Myers Law Firm for more information about filing a claim with an out-of-state insurance policy.

Won’t My Health Insurance Pay My Medical Bills?

Sometimes people decide not to purchase a Med Pay policy because they believe they have good health insurance coverage through their employer or another program. However, it’s important to remember that even the best health insurance plan will typically leave you with out-of-pocket expenses.

For example, your health insurance plan might have a high deductible, which means you’ll have to meet your deductible before your policy starts covering any medical expenses. Many health insurance policies today have deductibles of $10,000 or more. And even after you satisfy your deductible, you might have co-pays or other out-of-pocket expenses.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Things You Should Never Do After an Auto Accident

When you have Med Pay insurance, it will reimburse you for some or all of these out-of-pocket costs depending on the size of your policy. The peace of mind and financial safety net you get from Med Pay is well worth the relatively small increase in premiums, which is why we recommend all North Carolina drivers purchase as much Med Pay coverage as they can reasonably afford.

Myers Law: Helping Clients Recover After Car Accidents in Charlotte and Throughout Mecklenburg County

When you work with a personal injury lawyer at Myers Law Firm, we’ll carefully review your insurance policies and identify every potential claim that you might have, including Med Pay, uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM), and other types of coverage. We’re here to advocate for you and protect your rights, and if we’re able to take your case, we’ll fight aggressively to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligent behavior in Charlotte or anywhere else in Mecklenburg County, contact us to get a free case assessment from one of our attorneys. To schedule your free initial consultation, just fill out our online form or call 704-376-3000.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

Single Divider

We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

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Important Resources

We’ve written before about steps you should take after a car wreck as well as several common mistakes that you should avoid after a crash. Now, we’ve condensed that information into a handy checklist that you can print out or bookmark in case the worst happens and you find yourself in a car accident 

But this checklist isn’t just helpful for crash victims. It’s also an important resource for their loved ones. If someone you care about has been seriously hurt in a crash, they may be too injured to handle these steps on their own. By filling out as much of the information on this checklist as you can gather, you can protect them and help their legal case if they choose to pursue one. 

The Car Accident Checklist

One way to use this checklist is to print it out and keep it in your car. That way, you’ll have it handy when you need it.  

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST 

However, we’ve also posted the entire checklist below. If you’d rather not print it out or don’t have access to a printer, you can just bookmark this page and return to it when you need it. 

Car Accident Checklist 

If an item doesn’t apply to you because you weren’t involved in the crash and you’re helping the victim, it’s okay to skip it, but try to make sure your loved one follows up if possible. 

Make Sure That You and Your Passengers Are OK 

Check on the people in the other cars that were involved as well. If possible, put out flares or warning signs from your car’s emergency kit to make sure other vehicles can see you. 

Contact the Police  

Call 911 right away and report the accident so emergency personnel can respond. 

Take Pictures of the Scene  

Use your personal camera or smartphone to take pictures of the following: 

  • Damage to your vehicle 
  • Damage to the other vehicle(s) 
  • Conditions at the scene (weather, ice, landmarks, etc.) 
  • Objects at the scene (crash debris, fallen branches, skid marks, etc.) 
  • Anything else that looks important to you 

Get Information About the Driver Who Crashed Into You 

Write down the following information as soon as possible after the crash. 

Other driver’s information 

  • Name: __________________________________ 
  • Phone number: _____________________  
  • Address: ____________________________________________________ 
  • Insurance policy number: ___________________________ 
  • Insurance policy expiration date: __________ 
About the other driver’s vehicle 
  • License plate number: ____________________________ 
  • Make: _____________________________ 
  • Model: _____________________________ 
  • Damage to the vehicle: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Get Information About Other Drivers or Passengers Involved in the Crash 

If other passengers or multiple drivers were involved in the crash, you’ll want to take down information about them too. 

Driver/Passenger 1 
  • Name: __________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
  • Vehicle make: ______________________ 
  • Vehicle model: ______________________ 
  • License plate number: ________________ 
Driver/Passenger 2 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
  • Vehicle make: ______________________ 
  • Vehicle model: ______________________ 
  • License plate number: ________________ 
Driver/Passenger 3 
  • Name: __________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
  • Vehicle make: ______________________ 
  • Vehicle model: ______________________ 
  • License plate number: ________________ 
Driver/Passenger 4 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
  • Vehicle make: ______________________ 
  • Vehicle model: ______________________ 
  • License plate number: ________________ 

Get Information About Any Witnesses 

If anyone else saw what happened, you should take down information about them as soon as possible as well. 

Witness 1 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
Witness 2 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
Witness 3 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 
Witness 4 
  • Name: ____________________________ 
  • Address: __________________________
    __________________________ 

Write Down Information About the Crash 

  • Date: ______________________ 
  • Time: ______________________ 
  • Weather conditions: ______________
    ________________________________ 
  • Name of the police department that responded: ______________________ 
  • What happened, in your own words? (Feel free to use a separate sheet if you need more space.) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Get Medical Attention 

After getting emergency treatment, make sure to attend any follow-up appointments that your doctor schedules. Tell your doctor about all your symptoms, including physical, psychological, and emotional issues after the crash. And be sure to mention any new symptoms that show up. 

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney for Help 

A lawyer can protect your rights and give you advice about your legal options. The sooner you contact an attorney for help, the better. They should be able to launch an investigation of the crash right away and make sure all the evidence gets preserved. 

Tell Your Auto Insurance Company About the Crash 

Call your insurance agent and tell them about the wreck or, if your insurance company offers the option, file a report online. Your lawyer can help you with this step if you’ve hired one.  

DO NOT Sign a Release or Give a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster 

The insurance adjuster representing the other driver’s insurance company is not your friend, and you don’t have to talk to them. In fact, they will use anything you say against you. If they contact you and ask to talk, just say “no” and let your lawyer know about it. 

Call the Police Department and Request a Copy of the Police Report 

The police report is a very important piece of evidence for your case. Call the police department that responded to your accident and ask for a copy of the report as soon as you can. Just remember that the report may take a few days for them to prepare. Your attorney can also help you with this step if you’ve hired one. 

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Contact Myers Law Firm if You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident in North Carolina 

At Myers Law Firm, we understand that a serious car crash can be confusing, stressful, and scary. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. When you choose us to represent you, we’ll act as your advocate and use our legal experience and resources to fight relentlessly for you until your case reaches a resolution. 

Call our offices today at 888-376-2889 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation with us. We’ll use this time to get to know you, learn about your case, and inform you about your legal options so you can go forward with confidence. 

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

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We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

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Spotaneous Getaway or Extended Vacation

As the weather warms, a spontaneous getaway or extended vacation to the mountains of North Carolina can offer a wonderful way to relieve some stress for residents in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. While our state offers beautiful views and limitless natural experiences on famous roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway, clear weather and road conditions can become unpredictable in high elevations and remote areas, and car accidents in these areas can prove especially dangerous.

To help you stay safe during your travels through North Carolina’s diverse terrain, we’ve put together nine helpful tips that can reduce your risk for a crash while driving through mountainous or hilly areas.

9 Tips to Prepare You for a Scenic Drive

Before your upcoming travels, consider the following tips:

  1. Give your car a tune-up.
    Before a trip through mountainous terrain, especially after the cold months of winter, your car may need extra attention. Ensure the vehicle’s brake and transmission fluids are filled. Check that the brakes, heating and cooling, windshield wipers, battery performance, and exhaust systems are working properly. Also make sure the tires are inflated and a spare is on standby. Your car should be in optimal condition, as unexpected events, terrain, and weather may put a more demanding load on your vehicle.
  2. Fill up.
    Many people don’t realize that climbing steep grades requires more fuel than the typical drive. Couple that with the fact that gas stations and cell phone service could be sparse in mountainous areas and you have a recipe for a breakdown. Many mountain roads have minimal shoulders and little visibility ahead, so running out of gas could place you at serious risk of being hit by another driver. Avoid this scenario by filling your car up completely before a scenic mountain drive.
  3. Be ready for emergencies.
    Sudden inclement weather or a damaging car accident could leave you stranded for several hours in rural mountain areas. Before you depart, tell a friend or family member where you’re heading and when you plan to arrive just in case, and ensure you pack extra food, water, clothing, first aid, and tools to fix any minor troubles in case roadside assistance isn’t available.
  4. Use brakes cautiously.
    Continuous braking down steep grades can quickly overwork your brakes. When using brakes on declines, use the tap method (quick, light taps on the brake pedal) to keep them cool. Pay attention to speed signs, and anticipate steep, hairpin turns by braking before you take the plunge. By braking before turns, you shift the forces to the back of the car instead of the front, which offers greater control and the ability to more easily coast through snaking roads.RELATED: Distraction Seems To Be Causing The Rise In U.S. Traffic Deaths
  5. Downshift before extreme downgrades.
    For even better performance on steep topography, downshift into a lower gear. This will limit stress on your vehicle’s engine and brakes and help you control your speed. Make sure that you do this before you begin going downhill, as switching gears during a steep grade can be dangerous.
  6. Watch your temperature gauge.
    While you’re ascending, keep an eye on the engine temperature gauge and try to keep it in the safe zone. If you see it rising above the acceptable level, turn off the air conditioner and go lighter on the accelerator — or pull over where it’s safe and take in the view while your engine cools down for a bit.
  7. Stay alert and on your side of the road.
    Although it’s tempting to look at the breathtaking scenery while driving, stay focused on keeping an even distance between the yellow lines. Even the briefest moment of distraction can cause drifting, which could encroach onto oncoming traffic’s space and cause a crash.Use roadside pullouts for scenery stops, and whenever traffic behind you exceeds two or three vehicles, allow them to pass at the next legal pullout. Remember that uphill traffic has the right of way, and watch for hairpin turns, steep cliffs, and other unexpected shifts in terrain.
  8. Use your headlights.
    Dusk, dawn, rain, snow, fog, and night driving require headlights. When in doubt, use your headlamps to make yourself as visible as possible to oncoming traffic and cars in front of and behind you. Don’t forget to check that your car’s headlights are in good working order and free of debris or obstructions before you get on the road.
  9. Map out your trip beforehand — literally.
    Relying on your smartphone’s GPS app or your Garmin-type device may get you wherever you need to go without a hitch in urban areas, but these apps and devices tend to struggle in remote areas where small side roads may not be mapped completely or accurately. To avoid a wrong turn, plot out your trip on an old-fashioned paper map before you depart; even if your smartphone handles the job just fine, you’ll feel better knowing you have a backup on hand.

For help planning a scenic drive that can take you through some of North Carolina’s most beautiful landscapes, visit the State’s official “Scenic Byways and Drives” page at VisitNC.com: https://www.visitnc.com/scenic-byways-drives.

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What If You’ve Gotten Into a Crash?

Even the most prepared drivers can end up in a life-threatening situation, especially when another person’s negligence enters the equation. If you’re in a crash, you should assess everyone’s condition and contact the police right away. We’ve written about the most important steps after a car accident before, and these steps can help you just as well in mountainous areas. However, after taking care of the essentials, you may need to take a few additional steps if you crash in the mountains or other remote areas.

For example, although it may take a long time for them to arrive, contact roadside assistance to either tow or analyze your car’s condition; driving a damaged vehicle on steep terrain can be extremely dangerous. If you’ve crashed in an area without cellular service and you’re confident in the integrity of your vehicle, you can drive cautiously to the nearest designated roadside pullout and seek assistance. If inclement weather is a factor, stay sheltered in your car as long as it’s in a safe location. If your car is unsafe, dress for the weather in your emergency gear, walk toward the nearest pullout, and seek immediate assistance.

Crashes on mountain roads tend to be even more dangerous than most auto accidents due to the limited visibility ahead, and one crash can lead to another if someone is driving too fast to see the stopped cars from the original accident. Exercise extreme caution after a collision, and if you must get out of your vehicle, avoid standing in the road at all costs.

Myers Law Firm: Helping Car Accident Victims

Whether your crash was caused by another driver or a road hazard, it’s critical to call an attorney in the case of an auto accident while traveling. Poor road conditions, improper signage, and any number of other factors could have caused or complicated your car wreck, but only an experienced personal injury attorney has the training and expertise to investigate your case, assess fault, and determine the best course of action. If someone else is at fault for your damaged vehicle or injuries, you deserve justice and compensation for your losses, and the team at Myers Law Firm is here to help.

At Myers Law Firm, we provide aggressive and efficient advocacy for auto accident victims in Mecklenburg County. We offer free initial consultations for all personal injury cases so we can discuss your unique situation and provide you with candid advice about your best course of action. Please complete our online form or call 888-376-2889 to meet our team and discuss your legal options at no risk to you.

References

Definitions, Article 1, Chapter 50, N.C. General Statutes. § 50-16.1A. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_50/GS_50-16.1A.pdf

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

Contact Myers Law Firm

We are committed to continuing to serve our clients’ legal needs

Single Divider

We are able to meet with clients and hold consultations with prospective clients via telephone or video conference. If you need to contact us, please do not hesitate; we are happy to speak with you about your situation, your needs, and how we can help.

Schedule Your Consultation Now!

Type of Case (Select One)(Required)
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Aftermath of a Car Accident

In the aftermath of a car accident, your mind will likely be whirling. But these highly intense moments right after a crash are also some of the most critical when it comes to the legal case arising from your accident and injuries, so you should be aware of some important and helpful steps that can help you later on.

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