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An at-fault car accident can stay on your driving record for three to five years in North Carolina. Accidents may impact your insurance rates for the same amount of time in some cases.
If you did not cause the accident, it should not have an effect on your driving record. Additionally, if someone else caused the crash, you may qualify for compensation for any losses you sustained. You can learn more about your options in this situation from a North Carolina car accident lawyer.
How Long Will a Car Accident Stay on Your Record in NC?
Car accidents may stay on your driving record for up to five years in North Carolina. Insurance companies generally take the same amount of time before they will reduce an at-fault driver’s rates after a collision.
When Will a Car Accident End Up on Your Record?
You can end up with a car accident on your driving record if the police find you at fault for a collision in North Carolina. The crash should not end up on your record if someone else caused your accident.
The same general rules apply to your insurance. Your rates can increase if someone files a claim against you and your insurance company finds that you were at fault for the collision. The insurance company may also raise your rates after checking your driving record and finding evidence of an at-fault crash.
However, your insurance premiums should not increase if someone else hits you and holds 100% of the fault for the collision.
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Can You Keep a Car Accident Off Your Record?
An accident shouldn’t appear on your driving record or impact your insurance premiums if someone else caused the crash. So, to keep the accident off your record, you can work with an attorney who can gather evidence and work diligently to establish another party’s liability.
Attorneys get to work fast when it comes to investigating the causes of motor vehicle accidents. A lawyer may need to:
- Visit the scene of the collision
- Take statements from all eyewitnesses
- Get a copy of the official collision report
- Visit nearby businesses and get surveillance footage
It’s important to contact a lawyer quickly after a collision, so they can collect all available evidence to support your claim.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Laws and Proving Fault
You should know that North Carolina uses very harsh contributory negligence laws when handling car accident cases. This law means that you cannot seek compensation for any of your losses if you hold even 1% of the fault for an accident.
Therefore, if you contributed even 1% to a crash, your insurance will likely have to pay for your losses, and your rates will likely increase, even if the police do not find you at fault for the crash. These laws make it even more vital that you get help from a lawyer after a collision.
How Else Can a Lawyer Help After an Accident?
A North Carolina personal injury lawyer can provide comprehensive assistance throughout every stage of the legal process after an auto accident. You can rely on an attorney to:
- Explain what you should do after a motor vehicle accident
- Answer any legal questions you have
- Identify the party at fault for your accident
- Keep a record of all of your losses
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company
- Assist with a personal injury lawsuit when necessary
You do not have to try to navigate the legal process alone after an accident. Instead, you can rely on a lawyer to build your claim while you focus on your recovery. A lawyer can also explain how long a car accident stays on your record in North Carolina.
Possible Compensation After a Car Crash
An attorney can take steps to prove that someone else holds 100% responsibility for your accident in order to bring you compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you sustained in a crash. For example, you may receive compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and emotional distress
- Mental suffering
- Property repairs
It’s crucial that you get legal help establishing another party’s fault, as the at-fault driver could get out of covering your losses if they argue that you hold even 1% of the blame for the accident.
Talk to Us About Your Car Accident in North Carolina
So, how long does a car accident stay on your record in NC? Accidents can stay on your driving record for up to five years and may impact your insurance premiums for the same amount of time.
You can take steps to keep a crash off your record by hiring a car accident lawyer from our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, for help. We have recovered over $100 million for clients. Our team is prepared to focus on your legal needs, explain your situation, and work tirelessly to bring you fair compensation for all of your losses.
