A teenage driver lost her life and two children suffered critical injuries when two vehicles collided on Bell Farm Road near Farmwood Road in Statesville Tuesday morning. The crash closed the roadway for about four hours as investigators worked the scene.
What Happened in This Statesville Accident?
The collision occurred around 8 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, along Bell Farm Road near its intersection with Farmwood Road in Statesville. According to WBTV, 19-year-old Brianna Brown was driving when her vehicle left the roadway.
Troopers said Brown overcorrected when she tried to get back onto the street, causing her vehicle to swerve into the path of an oncoming BMW. The impact was severe. Brown was pronounced dead at the crash site. The BMW driver was transported to Atrium Baptist Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Two children who were passengers in the BMW suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem for treatment.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol closed Bell Farm Road for approximately four hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage. Investigators have stated they do not plan to file any charges in the case.
Who Can Be Held Liable When Drivers Lose Control in North Carolina?
When a driver loses control and crosses into oncoming traffic, determining legal liability depends on what caused the loss of control and whether anyone failed to exercise reasonable care. North Carolina law requires every driver to maintain proper control of their vehicle and stay in their lane of travel. When drivers fail to do this and cause crashes, they can be held responsible for resulting deaths and injuries.
However, North Carolina follows a contributory negligence rule, which means any fault by an injured party – even 1% – completely bars recovery. If investigators determine the oncoming driver could have done anything differently to avoid the collision, insurance companies will use that to deny the entire claim. This is exactly why families need experienced legal guidance immediately after these accidents.
Several factors can contribute to loss-of-control accidents on roads like Bell Farm Road. Road conditions matter – if the roadway had defects, poor maintenance, inadequate signage, or drainage problems that contributed to the crash, the responsible government entity might share liability. Weather conditions at the time can play a role. Vehicle defects like tire failures, steering problems, or brake malfunctions can cause drivers to lose control suddenly.
Driver-related factors include distraction, impairment, fatigue, medical emergencies, or simply misjudging road conditions. In cases involving teenage drivers, inexperience can be a factor – but that doesn’t automatically make the driver negligent or absolve other parties of responsibility.
When children are critically injured as passengers, their parents can pursue claims for medical expenses, future medical care, pain and suffering, and the emotional trauma of watching their children fight for recovery. When someone dies in a crash, North Carolina law allows the deceased person’s estate to file a wrongful death claim under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2 seeking compensation for medical expenses before death, funeral costs, lost future income, and the family’s loss of their loved one’s companionship and guidance.
Immediate Steps After Fatal or Serious Injury Accidents in Iredell County
If your family member was killed or critically injured in this Bell Farm Road accident or any serious crash in North Carolina, here’s what you need to do right now.
Get complete medical documentation for injured family members. Even if doctors have already provided care, make sure you obtain copies of all medical records, treatment plans, and prognoses. These records become critical evidence in injury claims.
Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before talking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters will contact you quickly – sometimes within hours of the accident. They’ll express sympathy and ask you to describe what happened. Everything you say can be used to reduce or deny your family’s claim later. North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule means they’re looking for any statement they can twist to suggest some fault on your part.
Preserve all evidence related to the crash. If you took any photos at the scene, save them. Keep copies of the police report, hospital records, and any correspondence from insurance companies. Get witness contact information if anyone saw what happened. Evidence disappears quickly after accidents – damaged vehicles get repaired, road conditions change, and memories fade.
Document everything about how this tragedy has affected your family. Keep records of medical expenses, funeral costs if applicable, time missed from work, and how the loss or injuries have impacted your family’s daily life. This documentation supports your claim for compensation.
North Carolina law gives you three years under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 to file most personal injury claims, but wrongful death claims have a two-year deadline under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53. Don’t wait. Critical evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and your legal rights can be lost if you miss these deadlines.
Contact an experienced auto accident attorney before making any decisions about insurance claims or settlements. We handle these cases on contingency fees, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
Where Are Fatal Accident Cases Filed in Iredell County?
Personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from accidents in Statesville are filed in Iredell County Superior Court, located at 226 Stockton Street in Statesville. Superior Court handles civil cases where the claimed damages exceed $25,000, which typically includes serious injury and fatal accident cases.
Cases must be filed in the county where the accident occurred or where the defendant resides. For the Bell Farm Road crash, Iredell County would be the proper venue since the accident occurred in Statesville.
The North Carolina court system website provides forms, filing requirements, and additional information about the court process, though families pursuing wrongful death or serious injury claims should work with experienced legal counsel rather than attempting to navigate these complex cases alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Accidents in Iredell County
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in North Carolina?
North Carolina gives you two years from the date of death to file wrongful death claims under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53. This deadline is shorter than the three-year limit for most injury claims, and missing it means losing your right to pursue compensation permanently. Evidence preservation and investigation take time, so contact an attorney immediately rather than waiting.
What if no criminal charges are filed – can we still pursue a civil claim?
Yes. The decision not to file criminal charges doesn’t prevent families from pursuing civil claims for wrongful death or injuries. Criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while civil cases use a lower standard of proof called preponderance of the evidence. Many successful civil cases involve accidents where no criminal charges were filed.
Can we recover compensation if our children were passengers in the other vehicle?
Absolutely. Children injured as passengers can pursue claims against any driver whose negligence caused the crash, regardless of which vehicle they were riding in. Parents can seek compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma their children endured.
How much does a Statesville accident attorney cost?
Most North Carolina accident attorneys, including our firm, work on contingency fees. You pay nothing upfront, and our fee comes from the recovery we obtain for you – if we don’t recover compensation, you don’t pay attorney fees. Initial consultations are free, so you can understand your legal options without any financial obligation.
What happens if the at-fault driver wasn’t insured or didn’t have enough insurance?
North Carolina requires minimum liability coverage, but many drivers carry only the minimum or drive uninsured. If the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, you may be able to recover through your own underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. We examine all available insurance policies to maximize recovery for families.
Get Help After Your Iredell County Accident
No family should have to deal with losing a loved one or watching their children fight for survival after a crash caused by someone else. You’re facing devastating emotional pain, mounting medical bills, funeral expenses, and an uncertain future.
If you lost a family member or your loved ones were injured in the Bell Farm Road accident or any serious crash anywhere in North Carolina, call us at 336-221-8900 in Graham. We offer free consultations and handle accident cases across the entire state on contingency fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your family. You know where I am. Contact us today.
About This Article: This content is based on reports from WBTV regarding a recent accident in Iredell County investigated by North Carolina State Highway Patrol. We provide this information as an educational resource about personal injury law in North Carolina. If you are directly connected to this accident and have questions or concerns about this article, please contact us at 336-221-8900
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about fatal car accidents in Statesville, North Carolina and should not be considered legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed North Carolina attorney.