Many states require all motorcyclists to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. While Pennsylvania also requires riders to wear helmets, the law is only applicable to certain riders, including those under the age of 21 years old. Although it may not be legally required for all riders to wear helmets, taking this step is one of the best ways that motorcyclists can protect themselves from injury. Unfortunately, even those who are careful and always wear helmets when riding can be injured in an accident. Motorcycle accidents tend to result in especially serious injuries that can be prohibitively expensive to treat. If you or a loved one were recently involved in a motorcycle crash, it is critical to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Mandatory Helmet Usage
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania only requires certain individuals to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. For instance, all motorcyclists under the age of 20 years old are required to wear a helmet. However, even when motorcyclists are over the age of 20 years old, they must still wear a helmet unless they have:
- Accumulated at least two years of motorcycling experience; or
- Finished a motorcycle safety course that was approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Helmet Quality
Under state law, motorcyclists who are required to wear helmets must also comply with certain standards regarding helmet quality. For instance, all helmets must meet the qualifications put in place by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), which is indicated by a DOT sticker on the helmet. All helmets must also be labeled with specific information, including:
- The name of the manufacturer;
- The precise model designation;
- The size; and
- The month and year that the helmet was produced.
Although it is not required, many motorcyclists choose to buy products that have gone through additional safety testing, which is offered by the Snell Foundation.
Injury Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets reduce the risk of death by as much as 37 percent and the risk of head injury by 69 percent. Other studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also provide evidence that wearing helmets is crucial to reducing both facial injuries and traumatic brain injury. While wearing a helmet does not guarantee that a motorcyclist will not be injured in a crash, it can go a long way towards preventing serious injury.
Contact a Dedicated Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Today
Motorcycle accidents tend to result in very serious injuries, making it especially important for victims to obtain the advice of an attorney who can help represent their interests. Even when a rider was not wearing a helmet prior to the crash, he or she may still be able to collect compensation. As such, if you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident, please call van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim at (215) 486-0123 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Resources:
dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL%20Fact%20Sheets/fs-MH.pdf
cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/mc/