North Carolina Helmet Laws

Understanding North Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Laws

As of Jan. 1, 2008, North Carolina helmet laws were changed to require any person operating or riding on a motorcycle or moped to wear a safety helmet that is in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Violations of the law call for penalties that include the payment of a fine and numerous court costs.

According to a helmet law notice posted on the North Carolina Department of Transportation website, legal motorcycle helmets are required to meet the following criteria:

• Thick inner liner: FMVSS 218-compliant motorcycle safety helmets will have a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that is about 1 inch thick. In some helmets, this may be covered by a comfort liner, but you can feel the thickness. Noncompliant helmets normally contain no liner or thin soft foam padding.
• DOT sticker: Compliant motorcycle safety helmets will have the symbol “DOT” permanently installed by the manufacturer on the back of the helmet. Some “novelty type” helmets are supplied with a separate “DOT” sticker or one can be purchased separately and placed on the helmet by the motorcyclist. This does not make this a compliant helmet.
• Manufacturer’s label: Each compliant motorcycle safety helmet will have a permanently attached label either sewn or glued in the interior of the helmet by the manufacturer that has the manufacturer’s name or identification, precise model, size, month and year of manufacture, type of shell and liner construction materials and an instruction label for cleaning and care of the helmet.
• Novelty-type helmets are not compliant with FMVSS 218.

Strong Representation For Injury Victims

While helmets help limit the severity of head and brain injuries, many other types of injuries can happen to victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious motorcycle accident, it is important that you contact a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. in Fayetteville, we will commit ourselves to securing the maximum level of compensation available for your case.

Seek The Advice Of A Respected Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Contact our office today to discuss your case with Mr. Byrd. We offer a free case review where you can get your initial questions answered and learn more about your legal options. You can reach us by phone at 910-323-2555 or send us an email to schedule a consultation. We handle all motorcycle injury cases on a contingency fee basis so you won’t pay any attorneys’ fees unless we secure compensation for you.