FAQs About Car Accidents in Brunswick County, NC

Take a breath and check for injuries. If you are able, move your vehicle out of the roadway to avoid further danger. This is especially important on higher-speed routes like Highway 17 or the rural roads that wind through Bolivia, Ash, and Supply, where traffic moves quickly and visibility may be poor.

Call 911. Depending on where the wreck occurred, law enforcement may respond from the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, a local town department, or the North Carolina Highway Patrol. When the officer arrives, give a clear and truthful explanation of what happened. Avoid guessing or accepting blame. The officer’s crash report may later be used by the insurance company or in court.

Exchange insurance and identification information with the other driver. Take photos of the damage to each vehicle, the layout of the intersection or road, skid marks, road signs, and any weather or lighting conditions that might have contributed to the crash. If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their name and phone number.

Even if you feel okay, get medical care. Some injuries take time to develop, and delaying treatment can give the insurance company a reason to question the seriousness of your injuries. Let a medical provider document your condition and follow up with your primary care physician if you experience pain, dizziness, stiffness, or limited movement in the days that follow.

Before you speak with any insurance adjuster, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer who handles cases in Brunswick County and understands how contributory negligence works under North Carolina law.

North Carolina is one of the few states that still uses pure contributory negligence. This means if the insurance company can show that you were even one percent at fault, they may try to deny your claim in full. That puts a heavy burden on the injured person to show that the other driver was entirely responsible.

To determine fault, your lawyer will look at the crash report, photographs of the scene, statements from witnesses, and any available video footage. They may also hire an accident reconstruction expert if the facts are disputed or if the vehicles have been heavily damaged.

Brunswick County roads vary from multi-lane highways to rural stretches without clear lines or lighting. Roads outside of Leland, Southport, and Calabash may have curves, faded markings, or poorly timed traffic signals. These conditions matter when evaluating how and why a crash occurred.

A lawyer familiar with the road network in Brunswick County can help identify whether the road design or environmental factors played a role in the crash and make sure those details are included in your claim.

Injuries from Brunswick County crashes can be significant, especially when high speeds or heavy vehicles (like 18-wheelers) are involved. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Whiplash and neck strain
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Fractured ribs, arms, legs, or hips
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Lacerations from broken glass or metal
• Knee and shoulder injuries caused by bracing at impact

Some injuries are obvious at the scene. Others develop over time. Even if your injuries seem manageable at first, the long-term effects can be serious. Chronic pain, limited mobility, and psychological trauma are also common after wrecks involving rollover crashes, head-on collisions, or side-impact accidents.

Prompt diagnosis, consistent treatment, and medical documentation are key. Not only can they help with your recovery, but they may also be necessary to prove your damages during negotiations or in court.

A local lawyer can handle the legal and procedural issues so you can focus on healing. That includes identifying who was at fault, gathering the necessary evidence, requesting crash reports, preserving witness statements, and managing communications with the insurance companies.

In contributory negligence states like North Carolina, details matter. The insurance adjuster may try to argue that you were speeding slightly, failed to signal, or were not paying attention. Your lawyer can seek to counter inaccurate claims and present evidence that supports your version of events. We advocate for your best interests.

Your lawyer can also help quantify your damages. That includes medical bills, projected costs for future care, lost income, and pain and suffering. If the case does not settle, your lawyer may decide to file suit in Brunswick County Superior Court and take the case to trial if needed.

Having someone on your side who knows the court system and how insurers tend to operate in this region is a good idea. Your lawyer can also help protect you from signing anything that might waive your rights, release unnecessary, private medical records, or settle the case for less than it is worth.

There is no set value for a car accident case. The amount you may be able to recover depends on a range of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, how long you were out of work, and whether you have any lasting injuries or damages.

Compensable damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future treatment needs
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Damage to your vehicle or other property

If the other driver was especially careless, such as driving under the influence (drunk driving), fleeing the scene, or texting behind the wheel, you may also be eligible to pursue punitive damages in some circumstances. These are designed to punish reckless behavior and deter others from acting similarly in the future.

A local lawyer can also assess the facts of your case and help you understand what a fair settlement might look like. They will also be able to tell you how similar cases have been handled in Brunswick County.

If the driver who hit you does not have insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own policy if it includes uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is required in North Carolina and applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance or flees the scene and cannot be identified.

Your lawyer can review your policy and help file the uninsured motorist claim, assuming that’s appropriate. These claims tend to be adversarial, and your own insurance company may dispute fault or the extent of your injuries. Having a lawyer on your side helps ensure that your claim is presented correctly and that your policy is applied fairly.

Multi-vehicle collisions are common on Highway 17, especially near Leland and Shallotte, where traffic congestion is heavy and passing is limited. In these situations, multiple drivers may share responsibility for the crash. Determining fault deserves a careful analysis of vehicle positions, statements from witnesses, and the timing of each driver’s actions.

Even if several parties were involved, the key under North Carolina law is to prove that you were not at fault. Your lawyer will evaluate each driver’s behavior and determine whether one or more of them can be held accountable. In some cases, a chain-reaction crash may start with one driver’s negligence, even if several cars are damaged in the process.

Tourist traffic increases the risk of accidents throughout Brunswick County, particularly near Oak Island, Sunset Beach, and Southport. If the at-fault driver is from out of state or driving a rental vehicle, you would bring a claim under North Carolina law. Your lawyer will determine which insurance company to contact and how to serve legal documents if a lawsuit is necessary.

Out-of-state drivers may carry different types of insurance coverage, and rental car companies may try to limit their liability. A lawyer can help navigate these challenges and make sure your claim is handled properly.

Car accidents in Brunswick County can happen anywhere, from busy highways to quiet rural roads. What they have in common is that they can disrupt your life in a matter of seconds. You may be left with medical bills, pain, missed work, and no clear path forward.

You do not have to handle the situation alone. A local lawyer can help you understand your rights, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Whether you were hit by a distracted driver on Highway 17 or rear-ended in a parking lot in Shallotte, the law may give you the opportunity to recover.

The sooner you speak with someone, the sooner you can take back control of your case and your recovery.