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What Do I Look for When Purchasing a Motorcycle Helmet?

This is an important question because in Florida it is required to wear an approved protective helmet when riding a motorcycle, unless the biker is over 21 and carries $10,000 of medical payments insurance.

Here is what the Statute says: “A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218…” The exception to this law is if a biker is over 21 and carries $10,000 of medical payments insurance.

It is important to purchase a motorcycle helmet that meets with Standard 218 criteria not only because it is the law but also because, Standard 218, “establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users resulting from head impacts”.

Helmets that do not meet the minimal Department of Transportation (DOT) certification standards may not be sold as “motorcycle helmets.”

In other words, motorcycle helmets must have a DOT sticker on them, which means that before they could be sold as a helmet for motorcycles, a model had to have been submitted for testing to see if it met the DOT standards.

Also, when choosing a helmet make sure that it not only has the DOT sticker on it, but that it is the proper size for your head, here is a link to a motorcycle helmet size chart.

Reminder: Proper fitting motorcycle helmets protect your head and your rider’s head, they are important to wear every time you get on your bike, even if just for a short spin, because no matter how good a driver you are, other drivers can make a “bonehead” move and your life can change forever.

For more information:

  • If you are going to ride free, protect yourself with adequate insurance coverage.

We at Meldon Law strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.

We are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial attorneys, negotiators, litigators, paralegals, and staff that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.

Based on Jeffrey Meldon’s, founder of Meldon Law, over 40 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies, he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case. You can request your free, no obligation copy right now, or contact our office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.

Contact Meldon Law at 800-373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck, or motorcycle accident. We are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you – we are here to help you.

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