1. Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, witness interviews, police report analysis, medical record review, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims for customized motorcycles, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage claims
Background: Greensboro personal injury firm located at 317 S. Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout North Carolina with attorneys including Brian Walker who handles personal injury and civil litigation matters. The firm emphasizes understanding contributory negligence issues unique to North Carolina motorcycle cases and advocates for fair property damage settlements that account for custom and after-market motorcycle parts.
Location: 317 S. Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401
Contact: (336) 379-0539 | [email protected] | https://www.garrettandwalker.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. 24/7 live phone answering. Contingency fee basis.
2. Edwards Kirby, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, wrongful death, medical malpractice, birth injuries, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injury motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, amputation injuries, burn injuries, disfigurement cases, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, liability determination, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, future medical cost projections
Background: North Carolina personal injury firm founded in 1993 with a Raleigh office at 3201 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100. The firm reports recovering over $500 million for clients and has achieved record-setting verdicts and settlements in North Carolina. Attorneys include John Edwards, David F. Kirby, Winston S. Kirby, Mary Kathryn Kurth, Andrew Avram, and Michael E. Sindoni, M.D. The firm serves Greensboro and Guilford County motorcycle accident victims.
Location: 3201 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612 (serves Greensboro area)
Contact: (919) 780-5400 | https://www.edwardskirby.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained).
3. Ward Black Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, workers’ compensation, wrongful death, product liability, mesothelioma and asbestos cases
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, internal organ injuries, amputation cases, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident scene investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, future earning capacity claims, pain and suffering claims, long-term care cost recovery
Background: Greensboro personal injury firm located at 208 West Wendover Ave. The firm reports client settlements exceeding $150 million. The firm has attorneys including Janet Ward Black (founder), Gerard Davidson, Audrey Snyder, Gabriel Snyder, and Emily J. Beeson. Ward Black Law handles motorcycle accident cases throughout North Carolina and emphasizes the unique challenges motorcycle riders face, including insurance company biases against motorcyclists.
Location: 208 West Wendover Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401
Contact: (800) 531-9191 or (336) 333-2244 | Text: (336) 439-8054 | [email protected] | https://www.wardblacklaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Available 24/7. Spanish language services available. Contingency fee basis.
4. Hodgman, Rowlett & Jahnes, P.A.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, product defect motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Greensboro personal injury firm located at 100 South Elm Street, Suite 514. The firm handles personal injury and workers’ compensation matters and pursues compensation for motorcycle accident victims caused by others’ negligence. The attorneys employ investigators, accident reconstruction specialists, and other experts to analyze evidence and establish liability.
Location: 100 South Elm Street, Suite 514, P.O. Box 3245, Greensboro, NC 27401
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.hodgmanlaw.com
Consultation: Contact firm for consultation information.
5. Lewis & Keller Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driver accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, road rash injuries, limb fractures
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, liability determination, contributory negligence defense, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims
Background: Greensboro personal injury firm with founding partner Mike Lewis recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and distinguished as a North Carolina Super Lawyer in personal injury. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases and understands North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule and universal helmet law requirements.
Location: Greensboro, NC (Guilford County)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.lewisandkeller.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Contingency fee basis.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in North Carolina
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. Claims must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in North Carolina must also be filed within three years under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State: North Carolina is a fault-based (tort) insurance state. The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for paying damages to injured parties.
Contributory Negligence Rule: North Carolina follows the strict contributory negligence doctrine. Under this rule, if an injured motorcyclist is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering any compensation. North Carolina is one of only a few states that still follows this strict rule rather than comparative negligence.
Helmet Law Non-Contributory Status: Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140.4(b), violation of the helmet law “shall not be considered negligence per se or contributory negligence per se in any civil action.” This means failure to wear a helmet cannot be used alone to establish contributory negligence.
Universal Helmet Law: North Carolina has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle and moped operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Helmets must be properly secured with a retention strap. Violation is an infraction with a penalty of $25.50 plus court costs, but no driver’s license points or insurance surcharge is assessed.
Eye Protection Requirements: North Carolina requires eye protection for motorcycle operators. Face shields or safety goggles must be worn.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting is not explicitly addressed in North Carolina statute but is generally considered illegal based on N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-146, which requires motor vehicles to travel in a single lane. Motorcyclists may ride two abreast in a single lane with consent.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: North Carolina requires a motorcycle endorsement on a driver’s license to operate a motorcycle. Moped operators do not need a license or endorsement but must be at least 16 years old.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: North Carolina requires minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25).
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Street-legal motorcycles in North Carolina must have a visible license plate, headlight bright enough to shine approximately 200 feet ahead, red or amber taillight visible from 500 feet, brake light visible from 100 feet, at least one rearview mirror, and headlamps must be illuminated at all times while operating on highways.
Passenger Restrictions: Motorcycles cannot carry more passengers than designed to accommodate. North Carolina does not impose a minimum age for motorcycle passengers.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: North Carolina requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Motorcycle riders are advised to carry substantial UM/UIM coverage given the severity of motorcycle accident injuries.
Damage Caps: North Carolina does not have caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $250,000.
Dram Shop Liability: North Carolina has limited dram shop liability under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18B-121, which allows claims against alcohol vendors who serve alcohol to intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, you have three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the courts. It is advisable to consult with an attorney soon after an accident to preserve evidence and meet all filing requirements.
How does North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
North Carolina follows strict contributory negligence, meaning if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. This makes North Carolina one of only a handful of states with this harsh rule. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to attribute some fault to motorcyclists through allegations of speeding, improper lane changes, or other traffic violations. An attorney experienced in motorcycle accident cases can help establish that the other party was solely at fault and counter any allegations of contributory negligence.
Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during my motorcycle accident?
Yes. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140.4(b), failure to wear a helmet “shall not be considered negligence per se or contributory negligence per se in any civil action.” This means not wearing a helmet alone cannot be used to establish that you were negligent or to bar your claim. However, insurance companies may still try to argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had worn a helmet to reduce your compensation. An attorney can help counter these arguments and protect your rights to full compensation.
Is lane splitting legal in North Carolina, and how does it affect accident claims?
Lane splitting is not explicitly addressed in North Carolina statute, but it is generally considered illegal based on N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-146, which requires vehicles to travel within a single lane. If you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, the other party and their insurance company may use this to argue you were contributorily negligent. Given North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule, this could potentially bar your recovery entirely. An attorney can evaluate the specific circumstances of your accident to determine whether lane splitting will affect your claim.
What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Greensboro?
If another party was at fault for your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage to your motorcycle (including custom and after-market parts), long-term care costs if you suffered permanent injuries, and loss of quality of life. In wrongful death cases, family members may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. North Carolina does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, so the amount recoverable depends on the extent of your injuries and losses.