Motorcycle Helmets Prevent Serious Neck And Spinal Injuries

On behalf of Lovett Law Firm posted in Spinal Cord Injuries on Wednesday, November 13, 2013.

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, no drivers are completely immune from brain and spinal cord injuries. Some motorists, however, have a much greater risk than others. Motorcyclists, in particular, face great risks on the roadway. Following all traffic regulations and driving defensively can go a long way toward avoiding accidents, but accidents will occur.

One of the simplest measures for reducing the negative effects of a motorcycle accident is wearing a safety helmet. Most bikers are well aware of the importance of wearing a safety helmet, but not all bikers choose to translate that knowledge into action. Seeing this, a certain number of states have passed mandatory helmet laws for some or all bikers.

States that have passed mandatory helmet laws for bikers have seen the benefits those laws bring. Similarly, repealing helmet laws tends to bring on an increase in injury and death among bikers. Here in Texas, bikers 20 years old and younger are required to wear helmets, though bikers above that age are strongly encouraged to do so.

For bikers who travel across state lines, it is important to be aware of the rules in each state one is passing through. Doing so can help one avoid a fine. The easier way, of course, would be to wear a motorcycle helmet regardless of which state one is in and what the requirements are.

An additional reason to wear a motorcycle helmet is that failing to wear one can, in some states, be used to reduce damages in personal injury cases. In a future post, we’ll speak more on this topic.

Source: Fox News, “State-by-state guide to motorcycle helmet laws,” Liza Barth, November 11, 2013.