What this kind of dispute usually means

When there are no injury claims, the case often comes down to one question: who caused the crash that damaged the vehicle? If the other driver’s insurance company is refusing to pay, that usually means it believes the available evidence does not clearly show its insured was at fault, or it is arguing that your own actions contributed to the collision.

In a Durham car accident claim, that can happen even when the police report appears favorable. Adjusters often review driver statements, photos, vehicle damage, scene details, witness accounts, and timing issues before deciding whether to accept liability. They are not required to accept the police officer’s conclusion automatically.

If the dispute is only about property damage, the claim is still important. Repair costs, total-loss value, towing, storage, rental issues, and other out-of-pocket losses can depend on whether liability is accepted.

Why the police report may help but may not end the argument

A crash report is a useful starting point, especially if it notes that the other driver ran a red light or identifies the other driver as contributing to the wreck. North Carolina law also makes law-enforcement crash reports public records in many situations under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1, which generally covers reporting and investigation of reportable crashes.

But a police report is not always the final word. Officers often arrive after the impact, rely on what drivers or witnesses say, and may not have every angle, photo, or timing detail. In some cases, a supplemental report may exist or later witness information may matter. That is why insurers often look beyond the report when liability is disputed.

If you have already been communicating with the police department, it may be worth confirming that you have the complete report, any supplement, and the correct identifying information for the other driver and insurer.

What evidence can make a property-damage claim stronger

If the other insurer is disputing fault, focus on evidence that does not depend only on your word against the other driver’s word. In a red-light crash, the most helpful proof often includes:

• Scene photographs and vehicle photos: damage patterns, debris, lane position, skid marks, and traffic-signal location can help explain how the collision happened.
• Witness information: neutral witnesses can be very important when liability is disputed.
• Video: dashcam footage, nearby business cameras, residential cameras, or traffic-area surveillance may exist for only a short time.
• Repair estimates and total-loss documents: these show the amount of property damage, and the damage pattern may also support your version of events.
• Recorded or written communications: save claim letters, emails, text messages, adjuster notes, and any denial or reservation language.
• Your own timeline: write down the date, time, direction of travel, lane, signal color, speed, weather, and what happened immediately before impact.

Time matters. Memories fade, vehicles get repaired, and video can be erased. A prompt liability investigation is often critical in disputed-fault claims.

How North Carolina fault rules affect a vehicle-damage claim

North Carolina follows the contributory negligence rule. In plain English, if the defense proves that your own negligence helped cause the crash, that can seriously damage or even defeat the claim. The burden of proving contributory negligence generally falls on the party raising it under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-139.

That means your evidence should do two things at once: show what the other driver did wrong and show why your own driving was reasonable under the circumstances. In a red-light collision, that may include your lane position, signal phase, speed, visibility, and whether there was any realistic chance to avoid the impact.

This is one reason a simple statement like “the police report says the other driver was at fault” may not be enough to move the claim forward if the insurer believes there is still room to argue about your conduct.

Practical steps you can take if the insurer is refusing to move forward

1. Ask for the denial or dispute in writing. If the carrier says liability is disputed, ask what facts it is relying on.
2. Organize your proof. Put the crash report, photos, witness names, repair estimate, tow bill, storage bill, and all insurer communications in one file.
3. Submit a clear liability summary. A short written statement with attachments is often more useful than repeated phone calls.
4. Check for additional evidence. Look quickly for nearby cameras or witnesses before that evidence disappears.
5. Review your own auto coverage. Without interpreting your policy, collision coverage may sometimes help with repairs while liability remains disputed, subject to your policy terms and deductible.
6. Watch the deadline. Ongoing claim discussions do not automatically extend the time to file suit.

For many North Carolina property-damage claims, the lawsuit deadline is generally three years under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. That statute commonly applies to injury to personal property and many motor-vehicle-related civil claims. Even if the insurer keeps talking, that does not necessarily protect your rights if the deadline passes.

What not to do while liability is being disputed

• Do not assume the police report alone will resolve the claim.
• Do not repair or dispose of the vehicle damage evidence without keeping thorough photos and records.
• Do not ignore written communications from the insurer.
• Do not miss the civil filing deadline because negotiations seem ongoing.
• Do not sign a release without understanding exactly what claims it covers. In North Carolina, settlement of a property-damage claim does not automatically release unrelated injury claims unless the written agreement says so, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.2.

How This Applies to Your Situation

Based on the facts provided, the key issue is not whether there were injuries, but whether you can prove the other driver caused the crash that damaged the vehicle. If you were driving through a green light and the other driver allegedly ran a red light, the strongest next step is usually to back up that account with evidence beyond the police report alone.

That may include confirming whether there are independent witnesses, checking for nearby video, preserving all photos of the vehicles and intersection, and asking the insurer to explain exactly why it disputes liability despite the report. If the carrier is relying only on its insured’s conflicting statement, a focused evidence package may help clarify the dispute. If the carrier still refuses to accept liability, the question may become whether filing suit for the property damage makes sense before the deadline expires.

If you want more detail on supporting proof, this related article on what evidence to gather after a car accident for a property-damage claim may help. If the insurer has already taken a firm position, you may also find it useful to read what happens if the insurance company says the accident was your fault.