After such a long, drawn-out winter, it’s time for warmer temperatures. This means that motorcyclists in Missouri will be removing their bikes from storage and preparing them for the road. Unfortunately, this also means that more accidents involving motorcycles are likely, often resulting in serious head injuries or even death for those who do not wear helmets.
It is relatively clear that motorcyclists who do not wear a helmet when riding are more likely to suffer serious injury or even death. However, when there are not strict laws put into place for motorcyclists to wear helmets, there will likely be more motorcycle deaths and motorcyclists who do not wear helmets. Some states do not even have helmet laws.
A recent study shows that motorcycle fatalities have increased while vehicle deaths have decreased. Research connected to this study shows that less restrictive or no laws regarding helmets, the death rate increases for motorcyclists. In Florida, there was a 20 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities when the state’s law changed regarding helmets.
Even in Missouri, a state which does have a helmet law, almost all of the motorcycle accidents in 2013 resulted in some type of injury or ended fatally. Wearing a helmet can offer protection from serious brain injuries and can often save one’s life when involved in an accident. Regardless, other motorists have a duty to exercise reasonable care with all types of vehicles on the road, whether cars or motorcycles. In the event that another person’s negligence causes a motorcycle accident and serious head injuries to an innocent victim, that injured individual may be able to seek legal recourse by filing a personal injury claim.
Source: kfvs12.com, “Study links motorcycle deaths to less restrictive helmet laws“, Mollie Lair, April 10, 2014
