In Western North Carolina, it’s common for a crash scene to change quickly:
- Traffic reroutes immediately along major routes (and around events), which can move vehicles and erase skid marks or debris.
- Tourism and short-stay parking mean witnesses may leave town before you can follow up.
- Mountain weather can alter visibility and road conditions within hours.
Because of that, UM claims often hinge on what’s preserved early—before the insurer later claims it “can’t verify” what happened.
What to do today:
- Photograph the scene if you can do so safely (road conditions, vehicle positions, signage).
- Save dashcam footage and request any nearby security video promptly.
- Write down witness names and what they saw while it’s fresh.


