Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet Can Save Your Life

In many states across the U.S., motorcyclists must wear a helmet, and it makes perfect sense why when you consider the statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, between 1984 and 2006, motorcycle helmets saved almost 20,000 bikers’ lives who were involved in accidents. The NHTSA also provides that if all motorcyclists and their passengers had worn helmets during this time period, an additional 12,000 lives could have been saved.

In most cases, other drivers are often to blame for causing serious motorcycle crashes, especially in high density areas in the United States. Many times, drivers fail to notice motorcyclists in their vicinity and as a result, do not give them the space necessary for them to safely maneuver. While motorcyclists cannot always avoid accidents, they unequivocally can take control of their safety by wearing a motorcycle helmet.

It goes without saying that motorcycle helmets offer the most effective form of protection, in that they can prevent serious head and brain injuries from occurring as a result of an accident. Understandably, motorcyclists involved in accidents are at a greater disadvantage than other drivers given that they have little to no defense from another vehicle that can weigh several thousand pounds. At least a motorcycle helmet can cushion a motorcyclist’s head in the event that he or she strikes the pavement or other hard surface, such as a car, truck or guardrail.

The NHTSA has put together some important statistics demonstrating the effectiveness of wearing a motorcycle helmet. These are as follows:

• Head injuries are the most common form of death for motorcyclists involved in accidents.
• A biker who chooses not to wear a helmet is forty percent more likely to suffer from a life threatening head injury and fifteen percent more likely to undergo nonfatal injuries than a biker who wears a helmet during a crash.
• Motorcyclists that wear a helmet have a 35% lesser chance of being killed in an accident.
• Motorcycle helmets are more than 65% effective in preventing serious injuries to the head and brain.
• Bikers that do not wear helmets have a much greater risk of suffering from serious and life threatening brain injuries.
• In a major study analyzing 3,600 motorcycle accidents, helmets were the leading cause of why people survived.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, it is important to know that you have legal rights. For 30 years, the Atlanta personal injury law firm of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, has been successfully assisting motorcycle accident victims located throughout the state of Georgia and the Southeast. We serve all smaller cities in Georgia and the rural parts of the state as well. Regardless of where you are located, our attorneys are always available by phone, and we will even visit you if you cannot come to us. To schedule a free confidential case evaluation, you can call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.