North Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Laws Explained

North Carolina is a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts. From the beautiful beachfront views of Highway 12 to cruising along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, the freedom of hitting the road on a motorcycle is exhilarating. Unfortunately, it can also come with severe risks. As is true with most things, with freedom comes responsibility, and it is important to remain compliant with North Carolina motorcycle helmet laws.

Wearing a motorcycle helmet in North Carolina not only ensures that you are compliant with state law but can also protect you should you become involved in a motorcycle accident. Due to the lack of protection, the motorcycle rider is more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury than those in other vehicles, which can have a significant impact on recovery and compensation, as seen in catastrophic injury settlement claims. This is one of the many reasons why wearing a helmet and other forms of safety gear can be so important.

Key Aspects of Motorcycle Helmet Laws in North Carolina

In North Carolina, motorcycles represent only around 2% of all registered vehicles in the state, but account for around 10% of all fatalities on the roadways. Every motorcycle rider in the state is required to wear a helmet that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and understanding how well helmets protect your head can help you make informed choices about your safety gear. If you want to ride your motorcycle compliant with helmet laws in North Carolina, it will need to include the following key aspects:

• Thick inner liner: Your helmet should be supportive and come with a rigid, energy-absorbing inner liner that is at least an inch thick. It must be made from polystyrene foam that can help absorb the force and impact of the crash. Helmets that are not compliant with this rule will not have the necessary protection or will only have a thin inner lining that offers limited protection.
• Manufacturer’s label: In all compliant helmets, there will be a label inside carrying critical information, such as the model number, date of manufacture, size, and any care or use instructions. This label can be used to identify the use and design of the helmet, along with ensuring the helmet meets all safety requirements.
• DOT sticker: The law states that all motorcycle helmets must have a qualifying DOT sticker on them. This sticker should be adhered to the helmet on the back and applied by the manufacturer of the helmet. It is important to check all novelty helmets for separate DOT stickers or removable stickers that don’t show any actual federal compliance.

Not only should helmets be worn in order to follow the laws of North Carolina, but they also can help ensure your safety. Head injuries are a common factor in many motorcycle fatalities, and helmets that are compliant with state rules and regulations can have the potential to make these injuries less severe. It is estimated that they saved over 25,000 lives in recent years.

Other Vital Pieces of Motorcycle Safety Gear

Along with a compliant motorcycle helmet, there are various other pieces of safety gear that could save your life should you become involved in a motorcycle accident. These can include the following:

• Safety goggles and/or face shields: When you are traveling at high speeds, you may encounter strong winds, which can dry out your eyes, or roadway debris and other hazards like bugs, which can decrease your ability to see. Wearing a face shield or a pair of goggles can significantly protect your eyes and your vision.
• High-visibility clothing: Many motorcycle accidents happen because other drivers do not see motorcyclists until it is too late. If you are wearing high-visibility clothing, however, it can increase your visibility and reduce potential accident risk.
• Gloves: Gloves can significantly increase your grip on the handlebars and brakes of your motorcycle. They can also protect your hands against possible road rash should you be thrown from your bike.
• Boots: Thick-soled boots can help prevent the bottoms of your feet from sustaining injuries and may even protect against a back injury, broken bones injury, or lacerations.
• Thick pants: When you ride with a pair of thick pants, it can help protect the skin of your legs from road rash should you become involved in an accident.

FAQs

Q: How Can I Ensure My Helmet Is Compliant in North Carolina?

A: There are several ways you can ensure your motorcycle helmet is compliant with all state and federal regulations that may apply. First, you need to check for the thick inner liner of foam inside the helmet, which should be at least an inch thick. You will also want to ensure a DOT sticker is on the back and the manufacturer’s label is attached inside the helmet.

Q: Are There Any Exemptions to Helmet Laws in NC?

A: No, in North Carolina, there are no exemptions to the helmet laws, no matter your age. These laws help ensure that all riders follow safety standards and limit their potential risk of suffering a traumatic head or brain injury or even death should they become involved in a motorcycle accident.

Q: What Are Some Additional Safety Guidelines to Follow to Avoid a Motorcycle Crash?

A: In addition to ensuring you are wearing a compliant motorcycle helmet and certain forms of safety gear, such as goggles, a face shield, or sturdy boots, there are other guidelines that can help you stay safe on the roadway. These can include always signaling when you are changing lanes or merging, never operating your motorcycle when distracted to avoid a distracted driving accident, and always following the speed limit to avoid a speeding ticket or traffic violation, since distracted driving remains a significant danger.

Q: How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A: If you find yourself injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, a personal injury attorney can help ensure you receive the compensation you are due from the party who is liable for the accident, and understanding the average motorcycle accident settlement in North Carolina can help set expectations for your claim. Your attorney can gather evidence, determine the cause of the accident and the party who is liable, and communicate and negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurance company.

Injured in a North Carolina Motorcycle Accident? We Are Here to Help

If you find that you are injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, the team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates is here to help. We know just how difficult these situations are and how vital compensation can be to help you pay for medical expenses and cover any lost wages. Contact our offices today to speak to one of our caring and dedicated lawyers. In your free consultation, we can better understand how to help you move forward and recover.