Short Answer

Yes. In North Carolina, you can often still pursue an injury or property-damage claim even if there is no police report and you did not collect all of the other driver’s information at the scene. The tradeoff is that you may need to prove fault and identify the at-fault driver (or use your own insurance, such as uninsured motorist coverage) using other evidence. Act quickly, because delays can make it harder to locate witnesses, preserve evidence, and meet insurance notice requirements.

Understanding the Problem

If you were in a North Carolina car accident on a major holiday and the crash happened near the end of your street, you may be wondering whether you can still make a claim when you did not get a police report or did not get the other driver’s name, insurance, or plate number. This question usually comes up when the scene was chaotic, you were shaken up, or the other driver left before information was exchanged.

Apply the Law

North Carolina does not require a police report as a condition to file a civil injury claim. What matters is whether you can prove (1) the other driver was at fault, (2) you were harmed, and (3) the crash caused your harm. Separately, North Carolina traffic laws require drivers in many crashes to stop, provide identifying information, and (for “reportable” crashes) notify law enforcement immediately. Also, if the other driver cannot be identified (a hit-and-run/unknown driver situation), your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, but it can come with strict reporting and notice steps.

Key Requirements

• Identify the responsible party: You generally need enough information to pursue the at-fault driver (or, if the driver is unknown, to pursue an uninsured motorist claim through your own policy).
• Prove fault without relying on a report: Without a police report, the claim often depends more heavily on photos, video, witness statements, vehicle damage patterns, and medical records.
• Show damages: You must document your injuries and/or property damage and connect them to the crash.
• Follow crash reporting duties when applicable: For a “reportable” crash, the driver must notify the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately by the quickest means of communication.
• Meet the civil filing deadline: Most North Carolina personal injury and property damage lawsuits must be filed within three years, though some claims have different deadlines.
• Watch uninsured motorist timing rules in hit-and-run/unknown driver cases: North Carolina law can require a prompt report to an officer (generally within 24 hours or as soon as practicable) and notice to your insurer.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reporting; investigation) - Requires drivers in a reportable crash to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately, and describes how crash reports are handled.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166 (Duty to stop; exchange information; render aid) - Requires drivers to stop and provide identifying information and assistance in crashes, with different rules depending on injury vs. property damage.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Three-year limitations period for many civil claims) - Sets a three-year deadline for many personal injury and property damage claims.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 (Uninsured motorist coverage; hit-and-run/unknown driver reporting) - Requires UM coverage in most auto policies and includes special reporting/notice rules when the at-fault driver cannot be identified.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because the crash happened in North Carolina near the end of your street on a major holiday, it is common for there to be limited witnesses and for law enforcement response to be delayed or unavailable. Even if no officer came to the scene and you did not get the other driver’s full information, you may still be able to pursue a claim if you can identify the other driver (or vehicle) later and prove fault and damages through other evidence. If the other driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage may become the main path, but timing and notice steps matter.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: The injured person (or their attorney) typically opens an insurance claim; a lawsuit is filed by the injured person as plaintiff. Where: Insurance claims are handled with the relevant insurance carriers; lawsuits are filed in the North Carolina state court system (typically in the county where the crash happened or where the defendant lives). What: If a crash report exists, request it; if not, gather alternative proof (photos, videos, witness contact info, medical records, repair estimates). When: Start as soon as possible; if you later need to sue, many cases must be filed within three years under North Carolina law.
2. Investigation step: Identify the other driver/vehicle using any partial details you have (plate fragment, vehicle description, nearby cameras, neighbors who saw the crash). If the crash was “reportable,” making a prompt report can also create a record that helps identify the other vehicle.
3. Resolution step: If the at-fault driver is identified and insured, the claim typically proceeds through that insurer. If the driver is unknown or uninsured, the claim may proceed through your uninsured motorist coverage, which can require specific notice and reporting steps before suit.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Unknown driver (hit-and-run/“phantom vehicle”) issues: If you cannot identify the other driver, your case may shift to uninsured motorist coverage, which can impose strict reporting and notice requirements. Missing those steps can create coverage disputes.
• Evidence fades fast: Without a police report, insurers often scrutinize liability more closely. Waiting can mean lost video footage, unreachable witnesses, and repaired vehicles that can no longer be inspected.
• Statements made too early: If you give a recorded statement before you understand your injuries or have gathered facts, it can be used to challenge fault or causation later.
• North Carolina contributory negligence risk: North Carolina follows a harsh fault rule in many negligence cases; if the insurer argues you contributed to the crash, it can threaten recovery. That makes careful fact development especially important when there is no police report.
• Confusing “no report” with “no case”: A police report can help, but it is not the only way to prove what happened. Photos, medical records, and neutral witnesses can be just as important.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, you can often still pursue a car-accident claim even without a police report or complete information from the other driver, as long as you can prove fault, damages, and causation through other evidence. The biggest pressure points are identifying the at-fault driver (or using uninsured motorist coverage if the driver is unknown) and meeting the three-year lawsuit deadline. Next step: gather and preserve evidence immediately and calendar the three-year filing deadline under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a North Carolina car accident where there is no police report or you did not get the other driver’s full information, an attorney can help you identify the right insurance path, preserve evidence, and track the deadlines that can affect your claim. Call undefined to discuss your options and timelines.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.