Motorcycle Laws in North Carolina

Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Focus on Injured Riders

Like other states, North Carolina has laws meant specifically for motorcycles, intended to keep motorcyclists safe and help prevent accidents with other vehicles.

To drive a motorcycle in North Carolina, a person must have a proper license, and anyone over the age of 18 must pass a knowledge test about motorcycles, along with a road test. A motorcyclist under 18 cannot drive a motorcycle with a passenger.

While lane splitting – when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving vehicles – is not specifically prohibited in North Carolina, it is illegal for a motorcycle to pass a vehicle on the right, except in very limited circumstances. North Carolina law specifically allows motorcycles to share a lane and drive two abreast, although most experienced riders understand the dangers of riding two abreast. Contact us today.

Helmet Laws

A total of 14,283 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in the U.S. during 2008–2010, and 42 percent of those individuals were not wearing a helmet. In the 20 states with a universal helmet law, 12 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were not wearing a helmet, compared with 64 percent in the 27 states with partial helmet laws, and 79 percent in the three states with no helmet law at all.

In North Carolina, all motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, with chinstraps fastened. To make sure your helmet is approved, you should check with the North Carolina Commissioner of Motor Vehicles before riding a motorcycle in the state.

However, even with all of these safety measures in place, accidents do happen. Typically, motorcyclists are struck by passenger vehicles with drivers who were not vigilant enough to notice a motorcycle sharing the road. If you were a victim of a motorcycle accident, you need an experience personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today

Carl Nagle is a fellow motorcycle rider and he understands all of the relevant motorcycle safety laws. If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Mr. Nagle in Charlotte or in any of our other six North Carolina offices. Speak with a lawyer now by calling (800) 411-1583.