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Last Modified on Nov 13, 2026
Hit-and-run accidents can result in devastating losses, and it is vital for every driver to know what to do after a hit-and-run in North Carolina. You may not remember much about the driver who hit you or their vehicle, but any information you can provide to first responders increases the chances they are identified and located. You should hire a dedicated hit-and-run lawyer to help you pursue accountability and compensation for the damages you suffered.
What To Do After a Hit-And-Run in North Carolina
The first steps you take after any vehicle accident in North Carolina are crucial, especially after a hit-and-run. If you remember any details about the vehicle that hit you, record what you can and provide it to the police right away. The sooner the local police have a description of the at-fault driver’s vehicle, the more likely they are to find them. Hopefully, the police will locate them and arrest them, but the state’s criminal case does not seek compensation for your damages.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that in 2024, there were 113,602 people injured and 1,732 people killed in vehicle crashes statewide. Recent data show that between 2018 and 2022, more than four million people across the US were involved in hit-and-run accidents, and more than 12,000 of these accidents resulted in fatal injuries.
Hit-and-run is a crime in North Carolina that can lead to serious penalties, but you will need to hire a hit-and-run lawyer to help you recover compensation for the damages you suffered. If the police are able to locate the hit-and-run driver, your North Carolina hit-and-run attorney can help you pursue compensation for the damages they caused. They can also explain how the state’s criminal case against the hit-and-run driver could influence your recovery.
Claiming Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Accident in North Carolina
North Carolina follows a fault rule for resolving vehicle accident cases, meaning whoever was at fault for causing an accident is liable for the resulting damages. This means that before you can claim any compensation for the damages you suffered in a hit-and-run accident, you need to establish fault for the accident.
This may seem obvious to you after a hit-and-run, but it is also important to keep in mind that North Carolina enforces a strict contributory negligence law. If you are found to share fault for the accident in any way, even slightly, this will bar you from claiming compensation for your damages from the hit-and-run driver, even though they may have been clearly more responsible for causing the accident.
Your attorney may be able to leverage the hit-and-run driver’s conviction as evidence of liability for your damages. If the at-fault driver has auto insurance, then your attorney can assist you with filing your claim against their insurance policy. Insurance companies typically attempt to settle injury claims for as little as they can, but you have a better chance of receiving a fair settlement offer when you have a trusted Gastonia personal injury lawyer representing you.
The at-fault driver is likely to face serious penalties for breaking North Carolina law, especially if the accident they caused resulted in any serious injuries or deaths. However, the victim of such an accident will need to build a civil claim to recover their losses. The Roberts Law Firm, P.A. can provide the compassionate and results-driven legal counsel you need for this case, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how we can help with your recovery.
FAQs
Q: What Are the Penalties for Hit-and-Run in North Carolina?
A: In North Carolina, the penalties for hit-and-run vary depending on several factors. A hit-and-run that only resulted in property damage is typically charged as a misdemeanor, while a hit-and-run that caused injuries or death is likely to be charged as a felony. Penalties could include heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and jail time, and the at-fault driver also faces civil liability for the damages they caused to others.
Q: How Long Will Police Investigate a Hit-and-Run in North Carolina?
A: The amount of time the police will spend investigating a hit-and-run in North Carolina varies based on multiple factors. There is no specific time period that the police will invest in these cases, but the amount of information you can provide to the police immediately following the accident is a major factor in determining how long it takes the police to identify and locate the at-fault driver.
Q: What Damages Can I Recover From a Hit-and-Run Case in North Carolina?
A: The damages you can recover from a hit-and-run case in North Carolina include any economic and non-economic losses you suffered from the accident. The state will handle prosecuting the hit-and-run driver for their criminal act, and your North Carolina hit-and-run attorney can potentially help you recover compensation for vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Hit-and-Run Case?
A: The time it will take to resolve a hit-and-run case depends on how long it takes the police to identify and locate the at-fault driver and whether you can recover your losses through an auto insurance claim. Hire a hit-and-run lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so they can start building your case immediately, and they can determine your most viable path to recovering compensation for your damages.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Hit-and-Run Lawyer in North Carolina?
A: You should hire a hit-and-run lawyer in North Carolina to have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. Do not assume that if the police locate and arrest the hit-and-run driver, that this will compensate your damages; the state’s criminal case seeks to punish the hit-and-run driver for breaking the law, not to compensate you for your losses. An experienced local attorney will know how you can recover compensation from the hit-and-run driver.
The team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A. knows the challenges you are likely to face in the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, and we are confident we can assist with your recovery. The first steps you take after this type of crash are crucial, and when it comes to what to do after a hit-and-run in North Carolina, one of the most important steps you should take is to contact our team to schedule a free consultation with an experienced hit-and-run lawyer.
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