How Effective Are Motorcycle Helmets? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

With the warmer weather finally on its way to Virginia, motorcycle enthusiasts will be taking to the state’s roads. Along with the fun driving experience motorcycles provide, they also present dangerous risks to riders. Unlike other types of vehicles, there is nothing that surrounds and protects riders on a motorcycle in the event of a crash. This is why anyone who drives or rides a motorcycle must take the precautions recommended by safety experts to help minimize the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.

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One of the most critical pieces of safety equipment for a motorcycle rider is a helmet. Although the majority of states have some type of motorcycle helmet law in place, there are still some riders who do not like to wear them. They may not like the way the helmet feels or looks, or they may not believe that wearing a helmet is even effective at protecting them in the event of a crash. However, the data collected by the federal government proves that wearing a motorcycle helmet can save a rider’s life.

National Statistics

According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in one year, motorcycle helmets prevented the deaths of 1,172 riders. In that same year, the NHTSA estimates that another 740 riders who died in motorcycle crashes would have survived the crash if they had been wearing helmets. On average, there are approximately 5,000 people killed each year in motorcycle accidents.

Although motorcycle helmets cannot prevent all fatalities, it is an easy safety habit to implement to reduce your risk of becoming a fatal statistic. The NHTSA estimates that wearing a helmet reduces a motorcycle driver’s risk of being killed in a crash by 37 percent and 41 percent for a motorcycle passenger. To put that in perspective, for every 100 motorcycle drivers not wearing helmets that were killed, 37 of them would have lived if they had only worn a helmet.

Tragically, almost 40 percent of motorcycle riders do not wear helmets.

Contact a Skilled Virginia Injury Attorney Today

Some of the most frequent injuries that clients of a Virginia motorcycle accident attorney suffer include brain injuries, broken bones, paralysis, and spinal trauma. Our accident attorneys understand that the injuries motorcycle accident victims sustain often leave them with permanent disabilities that not only create physical limitations but also result in significant financial losses.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident this year, it is critical not to delay contacting the legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp because Virginia injury laws have strict rules regarding how long you have to file your personal injury claim. If the statute of limitations expires, you will be unable to collect financial damages for any medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, or any other losses you or your family may be entitled to.