Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Charlotte, NC, and How to Respond

There are a variety of laws in place to ensure that needless automobile collisions do not occur in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some of the most common offenses that lead to collisions include aggressive driving, reckless driving, and drinking and driving. There are specific laws in place concerning drinking and driving as a minor and also concerning what drivers are required to do after an accident. Today, we’ll take a deeper look into the driving offenses, laws, and requirements of drivers in Charlotte, North Carolina auto accidents, based on a variety of different circumstances that may be involved.

Aggressive and Reckless Drivers Can Cause Serious Damage on the Roads of Charlotte

Aggressive driving is any kind of driving that is willfully dangerous and intended to intimidate or harm others. Aggressive drivers may speed, brake check, shout and swear at other drivers, or engage in any number of hazardous behaviors out of rage. This is where the term, ‘road rage,’ comes from, and it is much more than simply getting angry at other drivers. Many people become angry at other drivers, but do not behave in ways that are likely to cause serious harm. If someone becomes enraged while driving and expresses this rage through aggressive or reckless driving, then that person can face serious fines, penalties, and even jail time for putting others on the road in danger.

Having said that, road rage and aggressive driving are not the only forms of reckless driving. A reckless driver could engage in hazardous driving behaviors without experiencing rage. They may be racing, speeding, or simply taking unnecessary risks on the road. While their reasons for reckless driving may not be road rage, they are still held to the same standards and consequences as those who endanger themselves and others out of a sense of rage.

The Perils of Drinking and Driving As an Adult or a Minor in North Carolina

Whenever a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, that driver puts themselves and everyone else on the road in danger. While intoxication could involve drugs or prescription medication side effects, drinking is the most commonly seen form of intoxicated driving. Further, the laws are different with adults and minors. If someone is under the age of 21, then they are not allowed to have any kind of alcohol, drugs, or any other controlled substance in their system. If the driver is over the age of 21, then they will only face consequences for intoxicated driving if they have a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) or greater or if they are obviously intoxicated and impaired by any substance.

The Importance of Responding Appropriately After a Charlotte Auto Accident

There are also laws that enforce the importance of responding appropriately after a Charlotte, North Carolina, motor vehicle collision occurs. Drivers are legally required to stop their vehicles, exchange contact and insurance information, and provide aid to anyone who needs it. Failure to do these things constitutes a hit-and-run collision, which is a criminal offense.

All wrecks that involve injury or death must be reported to the police. Collisions that involve significant property damage must also be reported. In cases where someone is injured, those who are capable of providing help are required to do so. You should not move anyone who is injured unless it is necessary in order to prevent further harm. This is because you could cause more damage or even death by moving a person who has any kind of spinal injury. However, if the vehicle is on fire, or if it is in the line of traffic, for example, you may have no choice but to move the person.

What to Do When an Auto Accident Involves an Unattended Vehicle or Other Property

Sometimes, people get into collisions with parked and unoccupied vehicles, or they crash into another form of property, like a fence or a mailbox. When this happens, you are legally required to attempt to identify the individual who owns the property. This could involve knocking on the door of the person who owns the home or vehicle to notify them of the incident and provide your contact and insurance details. There are some cases where this will not be possible. You might have collided with a parked vehicle in a parking lot or on a street where it is not possible to figure out who owns the vehicle. You might have hit a mailbox at a house where nobody is at home.

If this is the case, then you should leave a detailed note on the vehicle or property where it will be easily noticed (and will not be likely to blow away in the wind) by the property owner. This note should include a description of what happened, your contact information, your vehicle information, and your insurance information. Failure to do this could result in serious consequences because there is a decent chance that you will be caught. You may have left evidence at the scene or you may have been seen by someone else who will have a description of yourself and your vehicle. Besides the likelihood of being caught, it is simply the right thing to do to take responsibility for such an accident.

Legal Requirements for Coverage to Address Any NC Auto Accident Damages

One of the most important things to do after an automobile wreck in Charlotte, North Carolina, is to exchange contact and insurance information. This is where it helps to know what the legal requirements for auto insurance are, and to ensure that you have this information on your person when driving. The minimum legal requirements for coverage to address any Charlotte, North Carolina, auto accident damages include $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of multiple persons in an accident, and $25,000 liability coverage for property damage. Many people feel these minimum legal requirements are insufficient, and higher insurance coverage is available to be obtained.

If you’ve been involved in any kind of Charlotte, North Carolina, auto accident, contact Brown Moore & Associates to learn more about how we can help you establish liability and the value of damages. Call our office today to speak with a determined auto accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC.