Uninsured Motorist Accidents in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro uninsured motorist guide: Guilford County uninsured driver rates, Gate City Blvd and E Market St corridors, UM/UIM coverage, and NC contributory negligence.
The Bottom Line
Guilford County has a significant population of uninsured and underinsured drivers, concentrated on corridors like Gate City Boulevard, East Market Street, and the southern Greensboro area. If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Greensboro, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is your primary path to compensation. NC law requires insurers to offer this coverage, and filing a UM/UIM claim does not raise your premiums. However, your own insurance company will still investigate the claim and may use contributory negligence against you.
The Uninsured Driver Problem in Greensboro
Greensboro's uninsured driver problem is driven by two factors: local economic conditions and the city's position as a through-traffic crossroads.
For statewide information on uninsured motorist issues, see our guide on UM/UIM coverage in NC. You can also learn about NC insurance minimums and how to file a UM/UIM claim.
Locally, Guilford County's economically diverse population means a higher-than-average percentage of drivers cannot afford insurance or choose to drive without it. The corridors where uninsured driving is most concentrated -- Gate City Boulevard (US-29), East Market Street, and parts of High Point Road -- are also some of the city's busiest roads.
Through-traffic compounds the problem. The shared I-40/I-85 corridor brings drivers from across multiple states through Greensboro daily. Some of these through-drivers carry minimum coverage from their home states, which may be lower than NC minimums. Others carry no insurance at all. When a through-driver causes a crash in Greensboro and has no insurance, your UM coverage becomes essential.
Where Uninsured Driver Crashes Concentrate in Greensboro
Gate City Boulevard (US-29)
Gate City Boulevard runs through Greensboro's southern core, passing through neighborhoods with some of the highest uninsured driving rates in Guilford County. The corridor mixes high-speed through-traffic with local driving, creating crash conditions that disproportionately involve uninsured motorists. The intersections near the UNCG campus -- Spring Garden Street, Tate Street, Holden Road -- see frequent crashes involving uninsured drivers.
East Market Street Corridor
East Market Street runs east from downtown Greensboro through the A&T State University area and continuing toward McLeansville. This corridor serves diverse communities and carries heavy traffic through commercial and residential zones. Uninsured driver rates along this stretch are above the county average.
I-40/I-85 Corridor
While uninsured driving is less concentrated on the interstates than on surface streets, the I-40/I-85 corridor's through-traffic brings out-of-state drivers who may carry minimal or no insurance. When a crash involves a through-driver from another state with no insurance, collecting from them personally is often impractical -- they have no local assets and may be difficult to locate for service of process.
High Point Road Corridor
High Point Road (NC-68) connects Greensboro to neighboring High Point and carries heavy commuter and commercial traffic. This corridor sees a mix of Greensboro and High Point drivers, with uninsured rates reflecting both cities' demographics.
How UM/UIM Coverage Works in Greensboro
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
UM coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all or when the at-fault driver cannot be identified (hit and run). Your UM policy pays for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages you would normally recover from the at-fault driver
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
UIM coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your damages. The at-fault driver's policy pays first, up to its limits. Your UIM coverage then covers the remaining gap, up to your UIM policy limits.
Example: A driver with $50,000 in coverage rear-ends you on Wendover Avenue. Your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering total $130,000. The at-fault driver's policy pays $50,000. Your UIM coverage can pay up to an additional $80,000 (assuming your UIM limits are at least $130,000).
NC's UM/UIM Requirements
NC law requires every auto insurer to offer UM/UIM coverage on every policy. You have it unless you specifically rejected it in writing. As of 2025:
- Minimum UM/UIM limits: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- UM/UIM cannot exceed your liability limits -- if you carry 100/300/100 liability, your UM/UIM can be up to 100/300
- Filing a UM/UIM claim does not add SDIP points and should not raise your premiums
Filing a UM/UIM Claim in Greensboro
Step 1: File a Police Report
Report the accident to Greensboro PD at (336) 373-2222 or, for interstate crashes, NC Highway Patrol. Get the report from 100 Police Plaza, Greensboro, NC 27401. The report documents the other driver's insurance status (or lack thereof).
Step 2: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your own insurer promptly to open a UM or UIM claim. Provide the police report number and the other driver's information. Most policies require "reasonable" notification.
Step 3: Document Your Damages
Your insurer will investigate just like the other driver's insurer would:
- Medical records and bills
- Lost wage documentation from your employer
- Photos of injuries and vehicle damage
- The crash report from Greensboro PD
Step 4: Negotiate with Your Own Insurer
This is where UM/UIM claims become tricky. You are making a claim against your own insurance company, which creates an unusual dynamic. Your insurer must act in good faith, but they still want to minimize what they pay. They may:
- Argue contributory negligence against you
- Dispute the severity of your injuries
- Challenge whether specific treatments were necessary
- Offer less than your claim is worth
Guilford County Courts and Uninsured Motorist Claims
If your UM/UIM claim cannot be resolved through negotiation, it may proceed to the Guilford County Courthouse at 201 S. Eugene Street, part of NC's 18th Judicial District:
- Small claims (up to $10,000): Magistrate court
- District Court ($10,001-$25,000): Judge, no jury
- Superior Court (above $25,000): Jury trial available
UM/UIM disputes that go to trial are handled differently from standard car accident lawsuits because you are litigating against your own insurance company rather than the at-fault driver. An attorney experienced with Guilford County UM/UIM litigation can navigate this process effectively.