A guide to help accident victims protect their rights to compensation after serious head-on crashes in North Carolina
Head-on crashes are among the most dangerous and deadly accidents on North Carolina roads. Those who survive are often left with devastating injuries, mounting medical bills, and a long recovery. And because North Carolina has some of the strictest rules around car accident fault in the country, even a small mistake could prevent you from recovering any compensation.
In this article, we’ll explain why head-on collisions are so dangerous, how fault is determined under North Carolina law, and what you can do to protect your rights—whether you were injured driving for work, running everyday errands, or traveling with your family.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or wrongful death in a head-on collision caused by negligence in North Carolina, reach out to the knowledgeable Charlotte car accident attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group for a free consultation.
Our team has more than 85 years of combined experience helping car accident victims in Charlotte and throughout North and South Carolina get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Is a head-on collision the worst type of crash?
Head-on collisions are some of the deadliest accidents on the road, but they’re not the worst. According to the National Safety Council, head-on crashes are the second most deadly type of crash in the U.S., just behind angle crashes such as T-bone accidents.
In 2023 alone, more than 5,800 people were killed in head-on collisions, making up nearly 30% of all crash fatalities that year.
The reason these car accidents are so dangerous comes down to physics: when two vehicles collide front to front, the force of impact is doubled, often leading to fatalities or catastrophic injuries like paralysis and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Did you know?
According to a study by Teletrac Navman, Interstate-85, which runs from Montgomery, Alabama, to Petersburg, Virginia, and passes through Charlotte, is the 10th deadliest highway in the U.S., averaging about 0.613 deaths per mile between 2016 and 2019.
Who’s typically at fault in a head-on collision?
In most cases, the driver who drifts over the center line, veers into oncoming traffic, or drives the wrong way down a one-way road is the one held responsible for a head-on crash.
These situations often stem from speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving, but sometimes they happen because a well-intentioned driver is simply unfamiliar with the area, misses a road sign, or gets confused by complex intersections.
That said, fault isn’t always clear-cut. Investigators may look at other factors like poor signage, unsafe road conditions, or whether another driver’s actions forced someone into the wrong lane.
For example, if a driver swerves to avoid a sudden hazard—like road debris, a pothole, an animal, or another car that cut them off—they may not be considered fully at fault for the collision.
Other situations where fault may be disputed include:
- Hazardous road conditions. Faded lane markings or missing warning signs could shift liability to a city or state agency.
- Mechanical failures. If a tire blowout or brake failure causes a driver to cross into oncoming traffic, responsibility may fall on a manufacturer or repair shop.
- Accidents with commercial trucks. If a tractor-trailer was illegally stopped or not properly marked on the shoulder, fault could rest with the trucking company.
Do cops determine fault in an accident?
No. Police officers document the facts of a crash, issue citations if laws were broken, and write an official accident report—but they don’t have the final say on fault.
Insurance companies usually make the initial determination, but if you believe their decision is unfair, an attorney can help you challenge it in court.
Tragic head-on crash in Charlotte ends with 6 fatalities
On July 26, 2025, a devastating crash on I-485 in Charlotte killed 6 people and prompted a federal investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
According to WCNC Charlotte, the wreck happened near Walkers Ferry Road when a 16-year-old driver, Logan Paul Sauer, crossed into another lane and struck a Chrysler van carrying a family on their way to Carowinds. Both vehicles then hit a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder.
Sauer and 5 members of the van’s family—including children ages 1, 3, and 8—were killed. A 16-year-old girl was the only survivor and is recovering in the hospital. Emergency crews worked for more than 5 hours in extreme heat to free the victims.
The NTSB and North Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating factors such as driver distraction, vehicle safety, and whether the tractor-trailer was properly parked.
Is North Carolina a no-fault car accident state?
No—North Carolina is not a no-fault state. It follows the pure contributory negligence system, one of the strictest in the nation. Under this rule, if you’re found even 1% at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
That’s why what you say in the minutes and days immediately following the crash matters. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that may seem harmless but can later be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Below are some examples of common insurance adjuster questions and how you should respond to protect your rights:
Adjuster asks: “Did you try to stop or swerve?”
- ❌ “I tried to, but by the time I noticed the car, it was too late.”
- ✅ “I reacted as best I could in the moment. I’ll let the investigation speak for itself.”
Adjuster asks: “Had you been drinking or taking any medication the day of the crash?”
- ❌ “I had one drink with dinner, but that was a few hours earlier, and I felt fine.”
- ✅ “I was safe to drive. I’m not answering further questions without my attorney.”
Adjuster asks: “Were you tired, distracted, or on your phone before the collision?”
- ❌ “I responded to one quick text, but that was before the accident happened.”
- ✅ “No, I was focused on driving safely.”
Adjuster asks: “Did you have any pre-existing injuries or health conditions before the accident?”
- ❌ “Well, I’ve had some back pain before, but it’s much worse now.”
- ✅ “I wasn’t having these problems until after the crash.”
Adjuster asks: “Do you really think the other driver is 100% at fault?”
- ❌ “I was maybe going a little fast, but they were driving the wrong way down a one-way street, so it’s still their fault.”
- ✅ “From my perspective, the other driver caused the crash. I’ll rely on the investigation for confirmation.”
The takeaway: Adjusters aren’t just gathering information—they’re looking for reasons to shift blame onto you because even small admissions can cost you your entire claim under NC’s contributory negligence law.
If you’ve been in a head-on collision and suffered serious injuries or your liability is being disputed, it’s always best to seek help from an experienced Charlotte car crash lawyer as early on in the process as possible. They can handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company to ensure your right to compensation is protected.
Injured in a head-on accident in Charlotte? We can help!
At Wilder Pantazis Law Group, we know how insurance companies operate—their goal is to minimize payouts by shifting blame, questioning injuries, or pressuring victims into quick, unfair settlements.
Our skilled Charlotte car accident lawyers counter these tactics by thoroughly investigating the crash to prove liability, working with medical experts to show the extent of your injuries, and calculating all potential long-term costs, including reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the toll on your quality of life.
With more than 8 decades of combined experience, we’ve taken on major insurers countless times, exposing their strategies and forcing them to pay what our clients are truly owed.
Learn more about how we can help with your head-on collision claim by scheduling a free consultation with Wilder Pantazis Law Group today.
References
Most Dangerous Roads in America. (n.d.). Teletrac Navman. https://www.teletracnavman.com/fleet-management-software/telematics/resources/most-dangerous-roads-in-america-infographic
National Safety Council. (n.d.). Type of Crash. Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/type-of-crash/