What to Do After a Car Accident in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh-specific step-by-step guide after a car accident: Raleigh PD reporting, WakeMed hospitals by corridor, Wake County courts, and NC contributory negligence tips.
The Bottom Line
If you have just been in a car accident in Raleigh, here is what you need to do right now. Call 911 if anyone is injured, or call Raleigh PD at (919) 996-3335 for non-injury crashes. Do not admit fault -- NC's contributory negligence rule means even 1% fault can bar your entire claim. Document everything with photos, get witness information, and seek medical treatment within 24-48 hours even if you feel fine.
Step 1: At the Scene (First 30 Minutes)
Call for Help
- Injuries present: Call 911. Raleigh PD will respond for crashes within city limits. NC Highway Patrol typically responds to interstate crashes on I-440, I-40, and I-540.
- No injuries, property damage only: Call the Raleigh PD non-emergency line at (919) 996-3335.
- Outside Raleigh city limits: If you are in Cary, Garner, Knightdale, Holly Springs, Apex, or unincorporated Wake County, a different agency may respond.
For a full guide to post-accident steps that apply statewide, see what to do at the scene of an accident.
Do Not Admit Fault
This is the most important thing to remember in North Carolina. NC follows pure contributory negligence -- if the insurance company can show you were even 1% at fault, your entire claim can be denied. At the scene:
- Do not say "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault"
- Do not speculate about what happened
- Provide basic information to the officer (name, license, insurance)
- Let the police report document the facts
Document Everything
While waiting for Raleigh PD or Highway Patrol:
- Photograph all vehicles -- damage, license plates, positions on the road
- Photograph the scene -- traffic signals, road conditions, skid marks, debris
- Get witness contact information -- names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash
- Note the time, weather, and road conditions
- Screenshot your dashcam footage if you have one running
Exchange Information
Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. Give them the same information from your side.
Step 2: Get Medical Treatment (First 24-48 Hours)
Raleigh Hospitals by Corridor
For serious or life-threatening injuries, you will almost certainly be taken to:
- WakeMed Raleigh Campus -- 3000 New Bern Avenue. Wake County's only Level I Trauma Center. This is where you go for major trauma, head injuries, spinal injuries, or multiple fractures.
For significant but non-life-threatening injuries:
- UNC REX Hospital -- 4420 Lake Boone Trail. A Level III Trauma Center serving west Raleigh and Cary. Part of the UNC Health system.
For less critical injuries or if you need to see a doctor the day after:
- Duke Raleigh Hospital -- 3400 Wake Forest Road. General emergency care for north-central Raleigh.
- Urgent care centers throughout Raleigh (faster than the ER for non-emergency injuries)
Step 3: File and Obtain Your Raleigh PD Report (First Week)
NC law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or $1,000+ in property damage. In Raleigh, this means a Raleigh PD crash report.
Getting Your Report
- In person: Raleigh PD headquarters at 6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
- By phone: (919) 996-3335
- Cost: Approximately $6.25
- Timeline: Available 7-10 business days after the crash
If a Different Agency Responded
If your crash happened on an interstate, the NC State Highway Patrol may have filed the report. Request it through the NC DMV Crash Report system. If you crashed in Cary, Garner, or Knightdale, contact that municipality's police department for the report.
Step 4: Deal with Insurance (First 1-2 Weeks)
Contact Your Own Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Most policies require "reasonable" notification -- waiting weeks can jeopardize your claim.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver's Insurance
The other driver's insurance adjuster may call you quickly, sometimes within hours. They will ask for a recorded statement. You are not legally required to give one to the other driver's insurer, and doing so before you understand the full extent of your injuries can hurt your claim.
Understand Your Coverage Options
- Third-party claim: Against the at-fault driver's insurance
- UM/UIM claim: Against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver lacks adequate insurance
- MedPay: Your own medical payments coverage pays your medical bills regardless of fault
For a complete guide to the insurance process, see filing an insurance claim step by step.
Step 5: Understand the Wake County Court Process
If your claim does not settle through insurance, it will be handled by the Wake County Justice Center at 316 Fayetteville Street, part of NC's 10th Judicial District:
- Small claims (up to $10,000): Heard by a magistrate
- District Court ($10,001-$25,000): Judge, no jury
- Superior Court (above $25,000): Jury trial available
Most Raleigh car accident claims settle before trial, but knowing the court structure helps you understand timelines and what to expect. Wake County is one of the busiest court systems in NC, so cases that go to trial may face longer wait times.