What to Do After a Car Accident in Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem step-by-step accident guide: WSPD reporting at 725 N Cherry St, Wake Forest Baptist trauma center, Forsyth County courts, and NC contributory negligence.
The Bottom Line
If you have just been in a car accident in Winston-Salem, here is what you need to do right now. Call 911 if anyone is injured, or call WSPD at (336) 773-7700 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. WSPD will respond for crashes within Winston-Salem city limits. NC Highway Patrol typically responds to crashes on I-40 and US-52.
- No injuries, property damage only: Call the WSPD non-emergency line at (336) 773-7700.
- Outside city limits: If you are in Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, or unincorporated Forsyth 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 WSPD or Highway Patrol:
- Photograph all vehicles -- damage, license plates, positions on the road
- Photograph the scene -- traffic signals, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and the grade of the road (particularly important on Winston-Salem's hilly streets and US-52)
- 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)
Winston-Salem Hospitals
For serious or life-threatening injuries, you will almost certainly be taken to:
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center -- Medical Center Boulevard. The region's only Level I Trauma Center and an academic medical center affiliated with Wake Forest University School of Medicine. This is where EMS takes major trauma cases from across northwestern NC.
For significant but non-life-threatening injuries:
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center -- 3333 Silas Creek Parkway. Level III Trauma Center serving the south and west sides of the city.
For less critical injuries or if you need to see a doctor the day after:
- Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center -- serving the Clemmons and Lewisville corridor
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center -- for the northwestern outskirts
- Urgent care centers throughout Winston-Salem (faster than the ER for non-emergency injuries)
Step 3: File and Obtain Your WSPD Report (First Week)
NC law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or $1,000+ in property damage. In Winston-Salem, this means a WSPD crash report.
Getting Your Report
- In person: WSPD headquarters at 725 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- By phone: (336) 773-7700
- Cost: Approximately $6
- Timeline: Available 7-10 business days after the crash
If a Different Agency Responded
If your crash happened on I-40 or US-52, the NC State Highway Patrol may have filed the report. Request it through the NC DMV Crash Report system. If you crashed in Kernersville, Clemmons, or Lewisville, contact that town's police department.
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 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 Forsyth County Court Process
If your claim does not settle through insurance, it will be handled at the Forsyth County Hall of Justice at 200 N. Main Street, part of NC's 21st 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 Winston-Salem car accident claims settle before trial, but knowing the court structure helps you understand timelines.