Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Massachusetts Motorcycle Helmet Law
It is hard to argue with statistics, which show that helmet usage among motorcyclists saves thousands of lives each year. In Massachusetts, motorcycle riders are required by law to wear helmets while operating their bikes.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages states to enact and enforce laws requiring all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. There are currently 20 states that require all riders to wear motorcycle helmets.
Preventing Traumatic Head Injury
Head injury is a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
When a motorcycle is involved in a collision, there is little protection for the motorcyclist and passenger. A helmet can provide the needed cushion to help prevent head injury when the head hits the pavement.
Safety Concerns Regarding Motorcycle Helmet Use
The NHTSA has put together a list of key facts that support the use of helmets among motorcycle riders and their passengers, which include the following:
- A motorcyclist who is not wearing a helmet is 40% more likely to sustain a fatal head injury, and 15% more likely to sustain a nonfatal injury than a rider who is wearing a helmet.
- It has been estimated that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a fatality in a motorcycle accident by 37%.
- A Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) study discovered that motorcycle helmets are 67% effective in preventing brain injuries and that motorcycle riders not wearing helmets during crashes were three times more likely to sustain brain injuries than helmeted riders.
- From 1984 through 2006, motorcycle helmets saved the lives of 19,230 motorcycle riders. If all motorcyclists and passengers had worn helmets during that time period, it is estimated that an additional 12,320 lives would have been saved.
- A study by the University of Southern California, which analyzed 3,600 traffic crash reports of motorcycle accidents, concluded that wearing a helmet during a motorcycle accident was the single most important factor in surviving the crash.
- The National Public Services Research Institute conducted a study that showed that wearing a motorcycle helmet does not restrict a rider's ability to hear auditory signals or see other vehicles in the next lane.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident Injury?
If you have been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
To find out the full extent of your legal rights and compensation, contact the experienced Boston motorcycle accident attorneys at Kiley Law Group.
Call 888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation.
