Coastal North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers
Serving Wilmington, Jacksonville, Leland, Hampstead, and surrounding coastal communities across southeastern North Carolina.
Coastal North Carolina presents a unique and often hazardous driving environment shaped by tourism, coastal geography, and rapid population growth. Unlike inland regions, traffic is frequently concentrated along a limited number of corridors that provide access to barrier islands, beaches, and coastal towns. Major roadways such as U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 74/76, NC-132, and NC-24 carry a mix of local commuters, military traffic, and seasonal visitors, creating conditions where congestion, unfamiliar drivers, and frequent stops increase the likelihood of collisions. In 2024, New Hanover County reported 12,315 crashes, Brunswick County reported 8,742 crashes, and Onslow County reported 7,981 crashes, demonstrating the significant volume of accident activity across the coastal region. Biazzo Injury Law is proud to represent accident victims throughout Coastal North Carolina and help them pursue the compensation they deserve.
Regional Accident Profile
Largest Counties in Region
New Hanover County
New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington, reported 12,315 total crashes in 2024, including thousands of injury-related collisions. The county’s crash volume is driven by a combination of tourism, port activity, and dense urban traffic patterns.
New Hanover County recorded 32 fatal crashes in 2024, with many occurring on high-traffic corridors and major intersections where congestion and traffic flow changes increase collision severity.
Brunswick County
Brunswick County reported 8,742 total crashes in 2024, driven by rapid population growth and heavy tourism traffic along coastal routes. Many crashes occur on roads leading to beach communities where traffic volume fluctuates significantly.
Brunswick County recorded 55 fatal crashes in 2024, a notably high number relative to population, reflecting the severity of crashes on rural and coastal highways.
What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in the Region?
U.S. Route 17 (US-17)
U.S. Route 17 is one of the most important and dangerous corridors in coastal North Carolina. It runs parallel to the coast and serves as a primary route connecting multiple coastal communities. The roadway carries a mix of local commuters, long-distance travelers, and tourism traffic, often resulting in congestion, frequent lane changes, and inconsistent traffic flow. In many areas, US-17 includes intersections, commercial access points, and varying speed zones, which increase the likelihood of rear-end collisions and intersection crashes. During peak tourism seasons, traffic volume increases significantly, further elevating accident risk.
U.S. Route 74/76 (US-74/76)
U.S. Route 74/76 serves as a major gateway into Wilmington and surrounding coastal areas. This corridor carries heavy inbound and outbound traffic, particularly during weekends and vacation seasons. Congestion along this route often leads to stop-and-go traffic conditions, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle accidents. The roadway also includes bridge crossings and transitions between highway and urban driving, which contribute to sudden speed changes and increased crash potential.
NC-132 (College Road)
NC-132, commonly known as College Road in Wilmington, is one of the busiest urban corridors in the region. It serves as a primary commercial and commuter route with frequent intersections, traffic signals, and turning movements. High traffic volume combined with constant stop-and-go conditions increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions and side-impact crashes. Because it runs through a densely developed area, NC-132 also experiences higher pedestrian activity, further increasing overall accident risk.
Explore the cities we serve across Coastal North Carolina:
