Motorcycle helmets are not required for every rider in every state, but it is advisable to wear one even when not required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets reduce the risk of brain injury in a motorcycle accident by nearly 70 percent. Helmet use also reduces the risk of fatal injury by 37 percent for riders and 41 percent for passengers.
Brain injury is one of the most common consequences of motorcycle accidents. When not fatal, the lifetime costs of these injuries are staggering, with some estimates topping $3 million. Preventing brain injury is the primary purpose of motorcycle helmets and a compelling reason for riders of all ages to wear one. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and a great time to recommit to wearing appropriate safety gear.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident -- even if you were not wearing a helmet -- you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. In a state where helmet use is required, any damages you are awarded may be reduced by what would be considered your own negligence (not wearing a helmet) but each case is unique. The best way to determine if you are entitled to take legal action is through a with Kline & Specter, PC. All case reviews are free.
Our team of attorneys has secured significant compensation for victims of all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles. Some of our most notable cases include:
- $38.2 million for a child injured at a dangerous intersection
- $25 million for a school teacher injured by a tractor-trailer
- $5.25 million for a man injured in a truck accident
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, we are here to help you determine the best course forward. We handle cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York. For cases outside those states, our law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
State Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Nearly every state in the nation has a motorcycle helmet law. All riders, including passengers, must wear a helmet in 19 states. These are, abbreviated: AL, CA, DC, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TN, VT, VA, WA, and WV. In nine states, all riders under 20 must wear a helmet. These are AR, FL, KY, MI, PA, RI, SC, TX, and UT. All riders under the age of 25 in MO must wear a helmet.
Many states, 17 in total, require all riders under 17 to wear a helmet. These are AK, AZ, CO, CT, HI, ID, IN, KS, ME, MT, NM, ND, OH, OK, SD, WI, and WY. In DE, all riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
Only three states, IL, IA, and NH, do not have motorcycle helmet laws.