Do helmets prevent concussions? Yes and no. While a helmet can lessen the severity of injury, it cannot actually stop a concussion from occurring. While it cannot stop an injury, helmets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment for motorcyclists. Before riding a motorcycle, you need to understand the risk of injury, accident prevention strategies, and how to properly use safety gear.
It is crucial to understand the implications of helmet use on your injury claim. A Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate your accident claims and assert your legal rights. These attorneys can help you understand how issues like causation, risk reduction, and comparative fault may affect your claim.
What Helmets Actually Prevent
Helmets do not stop a concussion or other traumatic brain injury from occurring. This is because a helmet cannot prevent the brain from bouncing inside the skull. However, when a helmet takes the impact of a collision, there is a deceleration of force which can reduce the severity of injury.
Helmets are more than just concussion headgear. Helmets prevent many other types of injury, and have been shown to reduce the risk of death by close to 40%. Full face helmets offer the greatest protection, shielding the rider’s face, eyes, and mouth.
A proper helmet can lessen the risk of trauma, including:
- Brain injury
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Facial injury
- Neck injury
- Road rash
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Death
Riders will want to wear helmets with Department of Transportation (DOT) certification. These helmets have gone through appropriate helmet testing and have appropriate helmet safety features. Energy absorption and dispersion are essential to lessening impact and spreading force across a greater area, reducing the chances of injury.
Why Helmets Are Important
A Brain injury from a motorcycle accident is serious. Motorcyclists should take action to prevent injury. Wearing the proper safety gear may help reduce injury severity, including the right helmet.
Helmets don’t just offer injury prevention. Wearing protective gear may be critical to your insurance and injury claims in the event of an accident. Showing that you took steps to minimize risks and protect yourself can help reduce your accident liability and ensure you recover fair accident compensation.
Myths and Misconceptions About Helmets
There are several myths and misconceptions about helmets and how to wear helmets. Approaching helmet wearing knowledgeably is essential to protecting yourself.
Some common myths include:
- Helmets cause neck and spinal injuries.
- Helmets reduce the field of vision.
- Helmets are hot and uncomfortable.
- Helmets do not offer protection in serious crashes.
- Securing the helmet strap is not necessary.
A well-fitted helmet with a DOT approved helmet design can prove these myths and misconceptions about helmet-wearing wrong. Understanding helmet safety standards and helmet effectiveness may help motorcyclists lessen the chance of injury in the event of a crash.
Legal and Insurance Implications of Wearing a Helmet
Motorcyclists should understand state-specific regulations regarding safety equipment.Pennsylvania law requires anyone under 21 years of age to wear a helmet. Older riders are not required to wear a helmet if they have completed a PennDOT approved safety course or have two years of riding experience. Legal compliance with helmet laws is essential.
However, even if you are not required under law to wear a helmet, wearing or failing to wear a helmet may have implications on your motorcycle accident claim. Pennsylvania is a contributory negligence state. This means that if your actions contributed to your injuries, your financial compensation may be decreased by your percentage of fault.
Moreover, a defendant may use the assumption of risk doctrine to avoid legal consequences for their negligence. With this legal defense a defendant can avoid liability for injury claims if they can show the plaintiff knew of the risk and accepted that risk. Depending on the circumstances, this defense may be raised in the event a rider was not wearing a helmet and suffered a head injury.
Insurance adjusters may also figure lack or presence of protective gear into their damages calculation. A motorcycle accident attorney can provide critical support in these cases. A lawyer may explain the legal implications and create a strategy for pursuing compensation for your personal injury claims.
Contact a Lawyer for Brain Injury
Being involved in a motorcycle collision is a terrifying experience. Head injuries can have immediate and long-lasting implications. Skilled legal representation may be essential to secure fair compensation.
If you’ve suffered a brain injury or other motorcycle crash trauma, a personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can help. Contact us now to schedule a consultation. The first call is always free.