Short Answer

In North Carolina, it is common not to remember every detail after a crash, especially the exact location. You can still protect your personal injury claim by writing down what you do remember, gathering records that usually identify the location (like the law enforcement crash report), and acting quickly so evidence does not disappear. The key is to start the paper trail now and let your attorney help confirm the exact place through official records.

Understanding the Problem

If you were in a North Carolina motor vehicle crash and you want to pursue an injury claim, you may wonder: can you move forward if you cannot remember the exact spot where it happened, especially since the crash was in late summer? This question matters because the crash location often determines which law enforcement agency investigated, where records are kept, and how quickly an attorney can collect time-sensitive evidence.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law expects drivers to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when a crash is “reportable,” and the investigating officer must generally complete a written crash report within a short time and route it to the proper agency and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In practice, that crash report is one of the fastest ways to confirm the exact crash location (road name, intersection, mile marker, city/county) even if you cannot recall it yourself. Separately, most injury claims from car crashes must be filed within a limited time window, so waiting until your memory improves can put your case at risk.

Key Requirements

• Document what you remember now: Write down approximate area, direction of travel, nearby landmarks, and the time window (even if it is not exact). Small details can be enough to locate the correct report.
• Identify the investigating agency: In North Carolina, the “appropriate law enforcement agency” depends on whether the crash happened inside a city/town or outside it, which affects where the report is filed and how you request it.
• Request the official crash report: A law enforcement crash report is typically the clearest source for the crash location and basic facts used by insurers.
• Act before evidence goes stale: Video footage, witness memories, and scene conditions can change quickly, so delay can make it harder to prove what happened and where.
• Watch the lawsuit deadline: Many North Carolina personal injury claims are subject to a three-year statute of limitations, and missing it can end the case regardless of how strong it is.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reporting; investigation; written report) - Requires notice to the appropriate law enforcement agency for reportable crashes and sets out duties for investigation and preparation/forwarding of the written crash report.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Three-year limitations period for many civil actions) - Provides a three-year limitations period that commonly applies to personal injury and property damage claims arising from a vehicle crash.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166 (Duty to stop; exchange information; render aid) - Sets out duties at the scene, including stopping and providing identifying information and reasonable assistance when injuries are involved.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, you know the crash happened in North Carolina and you remember the general timeframe (late summer), but you do not have the specific location. That is exactly the kind of gap that the law enforcement crash report is designed to fill, because it typically records the roadway and jurisdiction where the officer investigated. The most important legal risk is not “imperfect memory,” but waiting too long to start gathering records and preserve evidence while the three-year filing deadline continues to run.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (or your attorney) requests records. Where: the law enforcement agency that investigated and/or the North Carolina DMV (crash report records). What: request for the investigating officer’s crash report (often called a DMV crash report). When: as soon as possible, even if you only know an approximate date range.
2. Next step: Use the report to confirm the exact location and jurisdiction, then request any additional records tied to that location (for example, 911 call logs, EMS records, or nearby business/security video if it still exists). Timeframes vary by agency and county, and some records are easier to obtain early.
3. Final step: Once the location is confirmed, your attorney can send preservation letters (when appropriate), identify witnesses, and prepare the claim with the correct venue and deadlines in mind.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Waiting for “perfect details”: People often delay because they feel embarrassed about not remembering. That delay can cost you evidence (video gets overwritten; witnesses disappear).
• Guessing the location to an insurer: If you are unsure, it is usually better to say you are confirming details and will provide the crash report, rather than locking yourself into an incorrect location.
• Not tracking the right agency: In North Carolina, whether the crash occurred inside a city/town or outside it can affect which agency responded and where the report is routed, so a wrong assumption can slow everything down.
• Deadline confusion: The three-year deadline is a lawsuit deadline, not an “insurance deadline.” You can lose your legal rights even if you have been “talking with insurance.”

Conclusion

If you do not remember the exact crash location, you can still move forward with a North Carolina personal injury claim by documenting what you remember and promptly obtaining the official law enforcement crash report, which typically identifies the location and jurisdiction. The most important practical step is to start collecting records now, because evidence can disappear quickly. Next step: request the crash report and begin your claim planning well before the three-year lawsuit deadline under North Carolina law.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a North Carolina car wreck and you cannot remember the exact crash location, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you confirm the key details, gather the right records, and keep you on track with important timelines. Call (704) 343-4717 today.

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.