Injured in a Car Accident? We’re Here to Help.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina

Every crash has its own story, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has identified clear patterns in what causes most collisions across our state.
Their data — gathered from thousands of accident reports — helps us understand why so many serious injuries happen on our roads each year.Here are the leading causes of car accidents in North Carolina:

• Speeding and Failure to Slow Down. Driving too fast — or not slowing for weather, traffic, or curves — leads the list. In a single year, more than 66,000 crashes and over 100 deaths were tied to excessive speed.
• Distracted Driving. Phones, GPS devices, passengers — distractions of all kinds lead to devastating results. Over 50,000 accidents and 135 deaths were linked to driver distraction.
• Failure to Yield. Many wrecks happen when a driver pulls into an intersection or merges without checking carefully. These right-of-way mistakes caused nearly 39,000 crashes and close to 15,000 injuries.

Other common causes include:

• Driving Too Fast for Conditions. Even if you’re under the posted limit, rain, fog, or roadwork can make a normal speed unsafe.
• Aggressive or Reckless Driving. Tailgating, weaving, and road rage behaviors cause thousands of preventable crashes each year.
• Improper Lane Changes. Quick moves without signaling or checking blind spots often lead to sideswipe collisions.
• Overcorrection. Jerking the wheel to avoid an obstacle can cause drivers to lose control or cross into oncoming lanes.
• Driving Under the Influence. Alcohol-related crashes remain a leading cause of serious injury and death on North Carolina roads.
• Improper Turns. Turning from the wrong lane, ignoring posted signs, or cutting across traffic are all frequent causes of intersection accidents.

Almost all of these causes share a common theme — they’re preventable.
When another driver’s poor decision leads to your injury, our car accident lawyers can help hold them accountable and pursue fair compensation.

What to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina

Knowing what to do in the moments after a crash can make a huge difference in how your claim unfolds later.
Here are the steps every driver should take:

• Call 911. Report the accident and request medical help if anyone is hurt. A police report will be essential for your insurance and legal claim.
• Get Medical Attention. Even if you think you’re fine, let a professional check you out. Many serious injuries show up hours or days later.
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer. Don’t try to deal with insurance adjusters alone. A qualified car accident attorney can protect your rights, gather evidence, and ensure your claim is valued fairly.
• Notify Your Insurance Company — Carefully. Let them know an accident occurred, but avoid giving detailed statements until you’ve spoken with your lawyer.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, where it happened can also affect how your case is handled — from insurance negotiations to local court expectations.

Why North Carolina’s “Contributory Negligence” Rule Matters

North Carolina is one of the few states that still follows a pure contributory negligence rule.
That means if you’re found even 1% at fault for the crash, you could be denied compensation entirely.
Insurance companies know this — and they often use it to avoid paying fair settlements.

Our attorneys understand these tactics and know how to counter them. We work to prove that you weren’t at fault and that you deserve compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The sooner you have a lawyer involved, the better your chance of preventing an insurer from twisting your words or minimizing your claim.

Let Kellum Law Firm handle the legal stress so you can focus on recovery.
You can schedule a free consultation right now — or call one of our North Carolina offices to speak directly with a member of our team.