North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Legally Reviewed by, Elizabeth VonCannon: Feb 25, 2026

The aftermath of a motorcycle accident is a challenging time. You’re probably dealing with ongoing pain, worrying about the cost of treatment while you’re unable to work, and unsure about how to pursue compensation from the person who hit you. What you may not know is that motorcycle cases are particularly challenging, and insurance companies often play hardball with accident victims to avoid paying out these costly claims.

For these reasons, it’s crucial that you speak with a knowledgeable and experienced North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer. The team at Stewart Law Offices is dedicated to assisting injured riders in seeking compensation for their injuries throughout North Carolina. 

Our attorney, Elizabeth VonCannon, a licensed member of the North Carolina State Bar with more than 6 years of experience advocating for injured motorcyclists and other accident victims. We believe in treating every client with the individual attention and respect they deserve, which is why you’ll communicate directly with your attorney throughout your case.

We handle each matter with careful precision and genuine compassion, ensuring you never feel like just another case number. Our goal is to make you feel supported and confident as we navigate the legal process together, fighting tirelessly to secure the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Contact our law office today for a free consultation about your case, and let us put our 30 years of combined experience to work on your behalf.

How Our NC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Build Your Personal Injury Case

Our motorcycle injury attorneys have a track record of successfully recovering compensation for injured motorcycle riders through negotiated settlements and trial verdicts.* In two recent cases, we secured $1.6 million and $1.5 million for injured riders.* We know that this money cannot undo the pain and difficulty of a serious accident, but we know that it goes a long way to addressing its consequences.

When we take on your injury case, you can rest assured knowing that it is in good hands and focus on recovering from your injuries. We can investigate the accident to identify the at-fault parties and collect the evidence to hold them financially liable. We can calculate the value of your case and file your auto insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. Our attorneys negotiate with the insurance company to seek a fair settlement that covers all of your losses. If the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, our lawyers are prepared to take your case to trial to seek the maximum compensation.

Specifically, our NC motorcycle accident attorneys will:

• Explain your full range of legal rights and options during a free initial consultation
• Conduct an independent investigation of the accident, separate from any insurance company inquiry
• Identify and preserve critical evidence before it is lost or destroyed
• Handle all communications with insurance adjusters and opposing parties on your behalf
• Bring in expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
• Negotiate aggressively for a full and fair settlement
• Take your case to trial if a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached

We’ve been protecting the rights of the injured for over 30 years, and we know how to handle insurance companies. We are aware of the tactics some insurers use to deny or devalue claims. One moment can change your life. Let us fight to get the money you need to move forward.

Liability in North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents

While many express a bias against motorcyclists, motorcycle accident statistics show that these crashes are often caused by the negligence of motorists, not the bikers.

Common scenarios that lead to motorcycle accidents across North Carolina include:

• Left-turn accidents, where a driver cuts across the path of an oncoming or passing motorcycle
• Head-on collisions caused by a driver drifting into the opposite lane
• Lane-change accidents, where a driver sideswipes a rider while switching lanes without checking mirrors
• Distracted driving, including cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions
• Drowsy driving, which slows reaction time and reduces awareness
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Tailgating, especially dangerous because motorcycles can stop much more quickly than cars
• Dooring incidents, where an open car door strikes a passing rider
• Road hazards, including open car doors, sudden stops, corner turns, and hitting fixed objects

To recover compensation for your motorcycle accident case, you must prove that someone else is liable for the motorcycle accident.

This may require evidence, such as:

• Accident scene photographs showing skid marks on the road, damaged vehicles, and visible injuries
• Traffic, surveillance, dashboard, and helmet camera footage showing the accident occurring
• Eyewitness statements that corroborate your version of events or provide additional information about the crash
• Expert witness testimony, such as from accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
• Medical records detailing the severity and extent of your injuries, as well as the necessary treatments for them

North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. If you are in any way at fault for the accident that injured you, the courts may prevent you from recovering compensation. This is yet another reason it is so vital to work with a skilled attorney who can work to demonstrate that the other party was entirely at fault for the collision.

At Stewart Law Offices, Christian Gerencir, a licensed member of the North Carolina State Bar with more than 8 years of experience navigating the complexities of contributory negligence cases, understands the strategies needed to protect your right to compensation and build a compelling case that holds the negligent party fully accountable.

Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents in North Carolina

Hit-and-run crashes are unfortunately common for motorcyclists. This may happen because the other vehicle sustains minimal damage in the collision, and the at-fault driver panics and flees. In other cases, the driver may have forced you off the road without even realizing the full impact of their actions.

These situations are complex; there may be no witnesses, and the evidence can be hard to piece together. If you were injured in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in Charlotte, Gastonia, or elsewhere in NC, our attorneys can help you explore all available avenues of compensation, including uninsured motorist coverage.

How North Carolina Motorcycle Laws Can Affect Your Case

Several laws could affect your motorcycle wreck case in NC. First, North Carolina’s motorcycle helmet law requires all riders to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, regardless of age. If you don’t wear a helmet and suffer a head injury in the crash, the at-fault party’s attorneys will likely claim that you contributed to your injuries and are therefore ineligible for compensation.

North Carolina law also entitles motorcyclists to the full width of their lane, meaning another driver could be at fault for the accident if they attempted to pass you within your lane. On the other hand, lane splitting – the act of riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic – is a gray area. While the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit it, if you were lane splitting when the accident occurred, the other party’s lawyers may claim that you contributed to the accident.

North Carolina also requires all motorcyclists to be properly licensed, to carry functioning equipment including working brake lights, horn, mirrors, and an exhaust system, and to display a readable registration plate at all times. Failure to comply with any of these statutes can be used by an insurance company as grounds to claim contributory negligence and deny your claim.

Common Injuries in North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents

Riders have little between themselves and the road when an accident happens. The injuries that result from motorcycle crashes are frequently severe and often life-altering. Common injuries our North Carolina clients have suffered include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
• Broken and fractured bones
• Road rash 
• Torn ligaments and tendons
• Severe lacerations and facial injuries
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Arm injuries, including nerve damage, sometimes called “biker’s arm,” are caused by instinctively bracing for impact
• Leg injuries, including breaks, sprains, and amputations

Beyond physical harm, it is also very common for motorcyclists to experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety in the months and years following a serious crash. These emotional injuries are real, compensable losses, and our attorneys will fight to ensure they are factored into the full value of your claim.

Compensation Available After A Motorcycle Wreck

If someone else’s negligence caused the motorcycle wreck, they may owe you compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, medical devices, and medical treatments
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity caused by the impact of your injuries on your ability to work long-term
• Physical pain and suffering caused by your injuries
• Emotional distress, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was caused by the accident
• Property damage, such as costs to repair or replace your damaged bike

If your loved one lost their life in a motorcycle collision, you can seek the following compensation through a wrongful death claim:

• Your loved one’s medical expenses
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering
• The loss of your loved one’s income
• The loss of your loved one’s household services
• The loss of your loved one’s compassion, support, and guidance
• Funeral and burial expenses

Top Related Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in NC

According to the North Carolina DMV, motorcycle riders account for ten percent of traffic fatalities despite only making up two percent of registered vehicles in the state. Additionally, in a recent year, there were over 2,800 motorcycle crashes resulting in injury and over 200 resulting in death.

Approximately two-thirds of all motorcycle wrecks involve another vehicle, and the most frequent collision type is a car making a negligent left turn in front of an oncoming rider, often resulting in a head-on or near head-on crash. Many of these motorcycle accidents have similar causes, including:

• Motorists failing to respect riders’ right to the road, including by tailgating, failing to yield, and attempting dangerous overtakes
• Defective vehicle components, including faulty motorcycle brakes
• Poor road maintenance, including large potholes, uneven lanes, faded road lines, missing traffic signs, and malfunctioning traffic signals
• Inexperienced drivers who lack awareness of how motorcycles operate and respond on the road
• Distracted and drowsy driving across NC roads

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

At Stewart Law Offices, we handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. We only get paid if and when we recover compensation for you, our fee comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict. There is no financial risk to reaching out for help.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this statute of limitations deadline will almost certainly result in your case being dismissed, no matter how strong your claim. Don’t delay; the sooner you contact an attorney, the more time we have to investigate, gather evidence, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Contact Our North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorneys to Start Your Claim

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina, contact Stewart Law Offices today for a free consultation with one of our experienced injury attorneys. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your calls and return your messages. We’ll send a qualified attorney, not a staff member, to personally visit you at home or in the hospital to discuss your case, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.** Don’t delay – reach out today.