If you have been injured in a car accident in Wilmington, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can affect your health, your finances, and your legal options. Accidents in this area happen for a variety of reasons, and the insurance system is not always straightforward. North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule makes it especially important to act carefully and get advice from someone who knows the local legal landscape. The Law Office of Bradley Coxe is available for consultation.
Start by checking yourself and others for injuries. If it is safe, move your vehicle out of the road to avoid further risk, especially on busy corridors like Market Street or College Road. Call 911 so law enforcement can respond. Depending on where the crash occurs, the responding agency could be the Wilmington Police Department, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
When the officer arrives, answer questions truthfully, but avoid making assumptions about fault. Stick to the facts. The crash report they complete may later be reviewed by insurance adjusters or used as evidence if you pursue a legal claim.
Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, and document the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, weather conditions, and anything else that could help show what happened. If you feel disoriented or start to experience pain, let emergency personnel know.
Even if you believe your injuries are minor, go to a doctor or urgent care clinic as soon as possible. Many injuries, such as concussions, whiplash, or soft tissue trauma, may not be obvious right away. Delaying treatment can harm your recovery and give the insurance company a reason to dispute your claim later.
Police reports are usually available within several business days after the crash. If the Wilmington Police Department responded, you can request the report online or by visiting the Records Division at police headquarters on Bess Street. If the crash was handled by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office or the Highway Patrol, you may need to contact their respective offices or go through the North Carolina DMV.
There is often a small fee, and you may need to provide the case number or the date and location of the crash. Your lawyer can help you locate and obtain the correct report and confirm that it includes the information necessary to support your claim.
Wilmington’s roadways are a mix of congested city streets, high-speed bypasses, and beach access routes. That combination increases the risk of crashes, especially during peak tourism seasons. Drivers unfamiliar with the area may miss signs, take sudden turns, or rely too heavily on GPS directions while navigating intersections like South College Road and Oleander Drive.
High-traffic areas such as Military Cutoff Road and Independence Boulevard also see frequent collisions due to congestion, aggressive lane changes, and distracted driving. Coastal storms, sudden downpours, and standing water increase the risk of hydroplaning and reduce visibility. In neighborhoods near UNCW, pedestrian activity adds another layer of risk. One would be remiss in ignoring the impact of drinking and driving while folks are on vacation.
Local experience helps when it comes to investigating how these crashes happen and identifying the real cause.
In North Carolina, even a small degree of fault on your part can bar you from recovering damages. This rule, called contributory negligence, is one of the strictest in the country. If the other driver or their insurer claims you were even slightly responsible, they may try to deny your claim outright.
Because of this, it is important to be cautious when dealing with the insurance company. Do not admit fault, speculate about how the accident happened, or agree to give a recorded statement without legal advice. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that may lead you to say something that unintentionally and inaccurately weakens your case.
A lawyer can help you understand your rights, communicate with the insurance company, and gather the documentation needed to support your claim. That includes your medical records, proof of lost wages, repair estimates, and evidence of pain and suffering.
It is a good idea to speak with a lawyer first. While you may feel obligated to respond to the other driver’s insurance adjuster, doing so without legal guidance can be risky. The adjuster may ask questions that sound routine but are designed to elicit statements that reduce the value of your claim.
Let your lawyer manage that communication. They will ensure that your account of the crash is accurately presented and that you are not misled or pressured into accepting an early settlement that does not reflect the full cost of your injuries.
Even collisions at relatively low speeds can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common include:
These injuries may require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, or changes to your work and daily activities. Keeping detailed records of all treatment and symptoms helps support your legal claim.
If you have medical bills, missed work, long-term pain, or the insurance company is disputing your claim, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer. Even if you are unsure whether you will file a lawsuit, getting early legal advice can help protect your options and prevent mistakes that could hurt your case later.
A lawyer who handles car accident cases in Wilmington will know what to expect from local insurance adjusters, how to obtain traffic camera footage (if available), and how to deal with reports from local law enforcement agencies.
Yes. Passengers have the right to bring a claim for injuries caused by another person’s negligence. That includes the driver of the other car and/or the driver of the vehicle you were riding in. Passengers are rarely found to have contributed to the accident and are usually in a good position to recover damages for their injuries.
Your lawyer will help identify which insurance policies apply and how to pursue compensation, especially if multiple parties are involved or liability is disputed.
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own policy if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage is required in North Carolina and is designed to help people injured by drivers who cannot pay for the damage they cause.
Your lawyer can help you file the claim, prove your damages, and deal with your insurer if they try to minimize what they owe.
Wilmington sees a high number of tourists, and a fair number of crashes involve rental cars or drivers from other states. These cases can be complicated because they may involve rental contracts, out-of-state insurance companies, or unfamiliar procedures. Your lawyer can help sort through the issues, determine which insurer is responsible, and help make sure deadlines are met.
After a car accident in Wilmington, you may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. The medical bills start piling up. The phone calls from the insurance company begin. You may be missing work, unable to drive, and in pain every day. In a state like North Carolina, where contributory negligence can block your claim entirely, it is important to proceed with caution.
A local lawyer can help you protect your rights, avoid insurance traps, and advocate for the compensation you deserve. That includes helping you gather evidence, communicate with adjusters, file court paperwork if necessary, and pursue a settlement or verdict that reflects the full impact of what you have been through.
You do not have to do this alone. Getting legal advice early can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.