subject: Motorcycle Helmets 101 [print this page] While motorcycles are fun and fuel efficient, they can also be quite dangerousespecially if you don't take the proper precautions. Motorcycle accident statistics report that motorcycle crashes can be deadly, or leave you with a serious medical condition that you could spend your life trying to pay back. As an injury attorney, I have realized one of the best ways to protect you while riding on a motorcycle is to wear a good helmet. Also, in many states, such as Missouri, you are required to wear a helmet.
States with these laws usually require anyone who is driving or riding on a motorcycle to wear a helmet when riding the public roads. You might end up riding into another state that doesn't require helmet, such as Illinois, but still, it's always safer to wear a helmet even if it isn't required.
The worst and most fatal motorcycle accidents involve head and neck injuries. Regardless of the speed you are going, motorcycle accident statistics show that people wearing helmets are 3 times more likely to survive an accident. It's simple: If you want to live, you should probably wear a helmet.
Let's pray that doesn't happen. You are going to buy a helmet; you will have a lot of different choices between helmetsin all shapes, colors, and prices. How do you know which one you should buy?
First, there are three major types of helmets out there: full coverage, open face, and half.
A full coverage helmet covers the entire head and face of the motorcycle rider. In addition, it covers the base of the skull in the back and protects the chin in front. This type of helmet, according to motorcycle accident statistics, is the safest to wear. Although full coverage helmets may be a little more expensive than other types, it's a good investment: 35% of crashes impact the rider's chin!
An open face helmet is also known as a three quarters helmet. It covers the head and back of skull but doesn't have a protective bar around the chin. It doesn't have any protection over the face, as its name implies.
A half helmet, also called a "shorty," only covers the top of the head and has the least amount of protection. While there are Department of Transportation approved half helmets, these aren't going to be as safe as a full coverage or open face helmet.
When you are looking for a new motorcycle helmet, make sure that it has a DOT (Department of Transportation) sticker that indicates it is certified according to government standards. For the safest helmets get one that has been certified by the Snell Memorial Foundation--they have a lot higher safety standards than the DOT.
I'm sure it comes as no surprise that injuries are typically more serious when it comes to motorcycle accidents. What may come as a surprise is the amount of help the insurance company is NOT prepared to give. In the (hopefully unlikely) event that you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, it might be in your best interest to call a motorcycle crash lawyer to get as much help as possible when it comes to fighting the insurance company. Always be careful and put a helmet on! Be safe out thereI don't want you to be another motorcycle accident statistic!
