If you are a motorcyclist in California, you may not be happy about the helmet laws that are in place.  In California, when you ride on a motorcycle, you are required to wear a helmet.  This requirement applies if you are the driver or the passenger.

Some people do not like having to follow this helmet law.  They feel that a helmet takes away from the overall experience of riding.  However, a helmet is an important safety device that could mean the difference between life and death in a Southern California motorcycle accident.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, “wearing a helmet is the single most important factor in surviving a motorcycle crash.”  The Brain Injury Association lists numerous facts about helmets in its report, “Help Motorcyclists Live Better Longer: Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury.”  This report cites the following information:
  • Brain injury is the number one cause of death in motorcycle accidents.
  • Someone not wearing a helmet is 40 percent more likely to suffer a deadly brain injury and 15 percent more likely to sustain a nonfatal brain injury than a helmeted motorcyclist.
  • Helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing death.
  • Motorcycle helmets are believed to save about 1,500 lives annually.

The good news is that more motorcyclists are wearing helmets.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmet use went up to 67 percent in 2009, which is higher than 2008 that had a 63 percent usage.

Helmets protect faces, too.

According to a new study of motorcycle accidents, helmets reduce the chances of suffering a serious face injury. The study looked at records of approximately 46,000 motorcyclists sent to U.S. hospital between 2002 and 2005. Of those, approximately:

  • 1,400 bikers suffered face bruises.
  • 2,300 had eye injuries.
  • 1,700 had nose injuries.
  • 800 had a busted jaw.
  • 77 percent were wearing helmets

Conclusion

The study concluded that those wearing a motorcycle helmet were 60 percent less likely to suffer a serious face injury in a motorcycle accident.


“I think it certainly supports the idea that there should be mandatory helmet laws,” said Dr. Joseph Crompton of UCLA.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego or other area in California, you should contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers at (800) 989-6385.  Our Los Angeles accident attorneys have successfully resolved over 12,000 injury cases and can help you.

A Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney from our office will be able to sit down with you and explain your legal rights.  Contact us today for more information.
Peter Steinberg
Connect with me
Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982