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Helmet Use Might Save Your Life

In light of the recent motorcyclists fatalities in Gainesville and Ocala, as an accident attorney, I would like to remind bikers that wearing a helmet decreases the severity of injuries, likelihood of death, and cost of medical care in crashes involving a motorcycle.

The first motorcycle helmet law in the world was passed in 1961 in Australia. In the United States, the Highway Safety Act was amended in 1976 to remove sanctions against the states that do not have the motorcycle helmet laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American College of Emergency Physicians, an association which supports quality of emergency care, estimate that the states with the motorcycle helmet laws have lower number of traffic fatalities, since the helmets reduce the likelihood of death by 37 percent.

Because a motorcycle is not enclosed like a car, it leaves its rider more vulnerable to severe injuries and even death from the impact with another vehicle or from being thrown out of the motorcycle. Also, due to its small size, a motorcycle is less visible to the other drivers on the road, thus, once again, it leaves its rider more vulnerable to being hit. Helmets decrease the severity of injuries that the motorcyclists, being more prone to crash injuries, may suffer. They cushion and protect the motorcyclist's head from the impact of a crash, reducing the likelihood of a serious head injury or death.

In Florida, those under 21 must wear helmets when riding a motorcycle. Those 21 years old and older may ride without a helmet but only if they have at least $10,000 of medical insurance coverage. The NHTSA found that for two years after 2000, when the Florida helmet law was changed to exempt motorcyclists 21 and over from wearing the helmets, the motorcyclist fatalities per 10,000 motorcycle registrations increased by 21 percent. According to the NHTSA, this change in law has also increased the hospital admissions of riders with head, brain and skull injuries by 82 percent. The average cost of treating such injuries is $40,000, and the medical insurance requirement of $10,000 covers only one fourth of the cost for the motorcyclists who choose to ride without a helmet.

Regardless of whether you have the medical insurance coverage or not, wear a helmet! Do not disregard the possibility that you might be involved in a traffic accident. Wearing a helmet might not only reduce your injuries, but might also save your life. And that cannot be disregarded.

For more information:
What Do I look for in purchasing a motorcycle helmet

If you are going to ride free; protect yourself with adequate insurance 

Hot tips for motorcycle riders; ride safe this summer

A motorists guide to motorcycles - share the road