Motorcycle Helmets Are Essential
In the state of Florida, motorcycle drivers and riders under the age of 21 all have to wear helmets. After 21, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet so long as you have a personal injury protection insurance policy of at least $10,000. This is the standard amount of protection required for vehicle owners, so if you own an insured vehicle in Florida then you’ll have this policy.
The groups that argue against motorcycle helmets present a variety of arguments, such as the idea that motorcycle injuries are almost always serious whether a rider wears a helmet or not and the idea that motorcycle riders should have the freedom to choose whether or not to use safety equipment. However, regardless of your stance, there are several objective facts that show that wearing a helmet is a better idea than going without one.
Helmets Prevent Brain Injuries
Motorcycle riders can suffer injuries all across their bodies based on the angle of a collision, the speed they were moving, what they hit, and whether they fall under their bike or get thrown clear of it. None of these injuries are good news, but by far the worst possible injury is a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries can last for months or even years, they can take days to fully show their effects, and they can cause a variety of problems like chronic pain, limited mobility, speech impediments, and even personality changes.
Motorcycle riders can wear elbow and knee pads to protect their joints, but only motorcycle helmets are required wearing for young riders. This is because helmets protect the most important part of your body: your brain. Even if you suffer severe injuries after an accident you’ll have to deal with much less trauma and a much shorter recovery period if you can keep your head safe. That’s what a helmet is for, and even if they can’t prevent every injury they can at least reduce the severity of any head trauma.
Helmets Reduce Medical Bills
Because head trauma is so dangerous, the treatment and therapy you need to go through to fix it is very expensive. By wearing a helmet, you’ll cut down the severity of any head trauma you experience during an accident, and in many situations you’ll save your life. So while a quality motorcycle helmet can be expensive, you can think of it as an investment you’re paying to protect yourself from higher costs later on. It’s just like insurance in that way, except a helmet protects you during an accident and not just afterwards.
Good Helmets Don’t Block The Road
Some riders don’t wear motorcycle helmets because they think they block off the road and muffle sound, or else they feel uncomfortable after wearing them for several hours. However, a properly designed helmet that meets the Department of Transportation’s guidelines doesn’t interfere with vision or hearing even when the visor is down, and if a helmet properly fits your head it should feel comfortable even after a full day of driving. If your helmet doesn’t meet these standards, you should find one that does.
Whether you believe states should enforce motorcycle helmets or not, the fact is that they save lives and reduce injuries without interfering with a rider’s ability to see or hear the road. Unfortunately, they can’t prevent all injuries or protect your bike from damage, which is why it’s also important to carry insurance. If you need help with filing a claim or proving its value to an insurance provider, consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer who understands traffic accidents and how insurance companies work.
