After a North Carolina crash: your duties at the scene
North Carolina drivers must stop after any crash, stay until police finish, and share their name, address, license number and plate. Crashes with injuries or $1,000 in damage must be reported to police. Leaving can be a felony.
DZ DMVZone editorial · November 12, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer
After any North Carolina crash, stop immediately and stay until an officer finishes or lets you leave. Give your name, address, driver's license number and plate number to the other people involved, and help anyone hurt. Call police right away if anyone is injured or killed, or damage is $1,000 or more. If no one is hurt and the cars can move, get them out of the travel lane.
Report to police
Injury or $1,000+ damage
Share
Name, address, license, plate
Minor crash
Move out of the lane
Insurance minimum
50/100/50
North Carolina is unusual in one way: it is one of the few states where being even slightly at fault can stop you from collecting damages from the other driver. That makes careful notes and photos at the scene especially important.
At the scene
StopStop at the scene of any crash, even a small one.
Clear the lane if you canIf no one is hurt and the cars can be driven safely, move them to the shoulder or a safe spot nearby.
Help and callGive reasonable help to anyone injured, including calling 911. Call police for any injury, death or damage of $1,000 or more.
StayRemain until an officer finishes or allows you to leave. You may leave only to get help or escape real danger.
Exchange informationName, address, driver's license number and license plate number.
DocumentPhotos of the cars, the road, signals and any injuries. Get witness names and numbers.
If you hit a parked car
If you cannot find the owner, either tell the nearest police officer or leave a note with your name, address, license number and plate number in a place where it will be seen. You must also report the collision within 48 hours.
Penalties for leaving
Crash
Charge
License revocation
Property damage only
Class 1 misdemeanor
None set by statute
Injury
Class H felony
1 year, or 2
Serious injury
Class F felony
4 years
Death
Class F felony, aggravated range
Permanent
Good to know
Since July 1, 2025, North Carolina's minimum liability coverage is $50,000 per person, $100,000 per crash and $50,000 for property damage. Check your policy, since older limits may not be enough.
Check yourself3 questions
When must a North Carolina crash be reported to police?
Answer: B. These are reportable crashes, and the driver must notify police right away.
No one is hurt and both cars run fine. What should you do?
Answer: B. NC law says to move drivable cars out of the travel lane.
What are NC's minimum liability limits?
Answer: C. Since July 1, 2025, the minimums are 50/100/50.
After you leave the scene
How do I get a crash report?
Reports by the State Highway Patrol and local police can be requested from NCDMV or from the agency that responded.
What is contributory negligence?
It is the North Carolina rule that a driver who is even partly at fault may not be able to recover damages from the other driver. Talk to your insurer or a lawyer.
Does an at-fault crash raise my insurance?
Yes. Under the state plan, an at-fault crash can add 1 to 3 insurance points depending on damage and injuries.
Sources
Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.
Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official North Carolina DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.
