4 Safety Benefits to Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet in California
Wearing a motorcycle helmet has many benefits for riders.
A motorcycle helmet is designed to protect riders from many different dangers. Some bike enthusiasts may believe wearing a motorcycle helmet is not important, but protection is vital since riders are left vulnerable to other elements.
For starters, Californians are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet. Vehicle code section 27803 states “a driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet…when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle”.
Regardless of law, there are multiple benefits to wearing a motorcycle helmet.
A motorcycle helmet can save you from death
Los Angeles County had the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in California. In fact, there’s a 142 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities between LA County and the second highest county on the list (San Bernardino County).
While there is no data as to whether or not the drivers in these fatalities were or were not wearing a motorcycle helmet, the fact that there is still such a high number of motorcycle fatalities is alarming.
According to the National Safety Council, motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing fatalities. While not 100 percent, it’s still unquestionable that motorcycle helmets save lives, and one may save yours, too.
A motorcycle helmet can save you from serious head injuries
Head injuries are one of the most common, and most serious, injuries one may suffer following a motorcycle accident.
There are different types of head injuries that may range from:
- Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures (breaks in the skull bone)
- Intracranial hematoma (blood clots around the brain)
Head injuries can have a lifelong impact on victims. For example, common long term effects of a concussion can include:
- Memory loss/Difficulty focusing
- Constant physical pain, including headaches
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep issues
A motorcycle helmet can protect other parts of your face from injuries
Having your face exposed can increase your risk of suffering some type of injury. Your eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, and chin all become vulnerable.
Not only does your face run the risk of further injury after a crash, but debris can fly into your face, resulting in an injury.
Potential face injuries can include:
- Cracked teeth
- Broken nose
- Cuts or lacerations
- Vision issues
- Losing part of your ear
A motorcycle helmet can protect you from other elements
Rain and wind are disadvantages to motorcycle riders. These uncontrollable elements can greatly impact a ride.
Rain can get in riders eyes, or wet the handles on their bike. Wind can blow dirt into a rider’s face.
Even the California sun can be a disadvantage, as a sky too bright might affect a driver’s ability to see.
Wearing a motorcycle helmet can help reduce the effects of these elements. A helmet might:
- Block rain from getting in a riders eyes
- Block dirt from a riders face
- Provide relief from a bright sun
There is a wide variety of potential causes for motorcycle accidents, including:
- Speeding
- Improper lane usage
- Drinking and riding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
It’s important to remember that a motorcycle accident may not be the fault of the driver. No matter how safe you feel without your helmet, or how much control you have over your bike, someone else can hit a motorcyclist – and you can’t control other drivers.
If you were hit by another vehicle you may suffer from serious injuries, especially if you weren’t wearing a helmet. Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to compensation.
A negligent driver might be found responsible for any injuries you suffer in a motorcycle accident. There are different ways to help prove negligence, such as:
- Photos or videos of an incident or injuries
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
No matter how much evidence you have, the ramifications of not wearing a motorcycle helmet seem endless. While you may not fully recover physically and mentally, the LA motorcycle injury attorneys at C&B Law Group want to help you recover compensation.
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping injury victims, and we want to help you too.
We will do everything within our legal power to help you recover potential damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain or suffering
We can help deal with shady insurance companies who might try getting you to settle for less than you deserve. In fact, they may even pass fault onto you!
The California motorcycle attorneys at C&B Law Group are available via phone, email, and text. We service clients across Southern California, in areas like:
- Los Angeles
- Bakersfield
- Long Beach
- Riverside and San Bernardino County
- Burbank
- Glendale
Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
