Motorcycle accident fatalities are 37 times as much as car crash death and often, the only thing standing between a motorcyclist and sure death is a helmet. Thus, motorcycle helmet laws were enacted in California as well as other states.
Under the California Motorcycle Handbook, all operators and passengers are required to wear an approved safety helmet when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized scooter.
Wearing a helmet increases the chances of a rider or his passenger surviving in the event of a crash by as much as 37 percent. Most motorcycle accidents result to head and neck injuries so motorcycle helmets serve to cushion and protect riders' heads from the impact of a crash.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcyclists with no helmets are three times more likely than helmeted riders to suffer traumatic brain injuries. A simple safety gear such as a helmet can spare the motorcyclist and his family, the pain and financial burden of dealing with grievous injuries such as bleeding brain and the like.
But many motorcyclists remain stubborn about not wearing a helmet despite the law. Many claim that impedes the rider’s peripheral vision. Riders have also claimed that it reduces their ability to hear their surroundings which decreases their awareness. A study by J.P Goldstein even alleged that helmets cause neck injuries.
Authorities however, have refuted these claims. Subsequent studies have showed that full-coverage helmets had only minor restrictions in horizontal peripheral vision. The rider’s hearing is also not restricted from hearing car horns and that any sound loud enough to be heard above the motorcycle’s engine can be heard even with a helmet on. Here are also some important facts to consider in wearing a motorcycle helmet:
- Vision is not compromised when wearing a helmet -- an approved helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary.
- Collisions actually happen most on short trips less than five miles long and just a few minutes after starting out.
- Most collisions occur when riders are riding slower than 30 mph.
- The use of a helmet can cut both the number and the severity of head injuries at low speed collisions by half.
However, simply wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is not safe enough if the helmet is substandard. When shopping for a head gear, take note of the following:
- It must meet Department of Transportation (DOT) and state safety standards – it is indicated by a DOT lettering on the back of the helmet. The DOT lettering should not be a stick-on label.
- It must fits the motorcyclist’s snugly all the way around.
- It should not have defects such as cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.
Helmets are often the motorcyclists’ lifesaver when it comes to accidents so if you were injured in a crash because your helmet broke or failed to provide adequate protection, you may file a product liability complaint against the manufacturer of the helmet.
