Those individuals who ride motorcycles likely know that they can be dangerous. For this reason, most take appropriate safety precautions before going on a ride. This can include wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants, fingered gloves and a helmet. However, in Arizona, only those who are under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. With that being said, it is important that motorcyclists make themselves aware of the benefits of wearing a helmet.
Studies have consistently shown that wearing a helmet can help prevent serious head injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident. The outer shell of the helmet is meant to be tough, yet compressible upon impact. This allows the force from an impact to be dispersed to the underlying impact-absorbing liner. This layer acts as a shock absorber, preventing a rider’s head from moving too much even when the speed of a collision causes his or her head to want to continue in motion. These two critical pieces of the helmet are critical to riders’ protection.
Yet, a helmet is only effective if it meets certain safety standards and fits appropriately. For this reason, riders need to make sure they understand what makes a motorcycle helmet effective as well as how to purchase a helmet that fits them correctly.
Of course, even those who wear a motorcycle helmet are susceptible to being injured in a motorcycle accident. A negligent driver who turns into a motorcyclist, fails to yield to one or changes lanes into a rider can cause a serious crash that leaves the victim with debilitating, sometimes permanent, injuries.
These victims can have a hard road to recovery ahead of them, which can include extensive physical pain and suffering, financial losses in the form of medical expenses and lost wages, and emotional turmoil. Fortunately, these riders may be able to recover compensation for their injuries by successfully pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the individual who caused their harm.
