Blog

Motorcycle Accidents

• Know your Rights as an Amputee after a Pedestrian Accident in Kansas and Missouri

View All

Motorcycle Helmets: Important Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”)

In January 2008, NHTSA published "Traffic Safety Facts" and encouraged every state to adopt and enforce universal helmet laws. It argued that, "Motorcycle helmets provide the best protection from head injury for motorcyclists involved in traffic crashes. The passage of helmet use laws governing all motorcycle operators and passengers is the most effective method of increasing helmet use."

To support its position, NHTSA provided a list of key facts illustrating the significant dangers associated with riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet:

• In 2006, 4,810 motorcyclists died and approximately 88,000 were injured in highway crashes in the United States.
• Per mile traveled in 2006, a motorcyclist is approximately 37 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car.
• Head injury is a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
• An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
• NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a crash fatality by 37 percent.
• A Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) study found that motorcycle helmets are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries and that unhelmeted motorcyclists involved in crashes were three times more likely to suffer brain injuries than those wearing helmets.
• NHTSA estimates that from 1984 through 2006 helmets saved the lives of 19,230 motorcyclists. If all motorcycle operators and passengers had worn helmets during that period, NHTSA estimates that 12,320 additional lives would have been saved.
• A study conducted at the University of Southern California, which analyzed 3,600 traffic crash reports covering motorcycle crashes, concluded that wearing helmets was the single most important factor in surviving motorcycle crashes.
• A 1994 study by the National Public Services Research Institute concluded that wearing a motorcycle helmet does not restrict a rider's ability to hear auditory signals or see a vehicle in an adjacent lane.
• All motorcycle helmets sold in the United States are required to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, which establishes the minimum level of protection a helmet must afford each helmet user.
• Helmet use laws governing all motorcycle riders (universal helmet laws) significantly increase helmet use and are easily enforced because of riders' high visibility.
• Repeal of State universal helmet use laws has resulted in fewer riders wearing helmets according to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, from 2000 to 2006,

For additional information, read our article, "WARNING: Motorcycle Helmets Not Required in Kansas. Why You Might Want To Consider Wearing One Anyway!"

As the statistics make clear, the failure to wear a motorcycle helmet has devastating effects for those involved in motor vehicle collisions.

If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident, call our office right away and learn what you must do to protect your rights. We have been protecting injury victims against insurance companies since 1995, and we put you FIRST. Let our expertise get you the compensation you deserve. Don't gamble with your case: Call Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys.

Just Ask

Free Consumer Guides

KC Biker Bible

click to enlarge

Testimonials

• I’m highly satisfied, I would call Victor again. I needed his help, and he has been a great attorney. I’m very comfortable recommending victor to other clients. Now that I’m happy with how much he’s helped me, I’m definitely recommending him to anyone that needed his help.
• Heather was very nice and polite and very informative. Heather was very responsive when I asked her questions and very informative. Yes, she was very aggressive with the insurance company. She was very aggressive trying to get a higher amount. Yes she was very nice. She is very informative and knows what she is doing.
• It was great to work with Heather, she kept me informed about everything, the dos and the don’ts and what everything was and kept me on track. she was very professional she told you what was going on, she kept you a breast of everything that was going on, she was an excellent lawyer. Ms Heather and the whole staff at the Accident Injury firm, I would recommend them to anybody across the world, that they are excellent, honest attorneys.

View All

Latest News

• Posted on 5/21/2012Kansas Man has Leg Amputated after Being Struck by Motorcycle while Crossing Street in Hutchinson
• Posted on 4/25/2012U.S. Soldier Killed in Single Vehicle Motorcycle Accident

View All

FAQs

Motorcycle Accidents

• Do I have Kansas City motorcycle accident injury claim if I was partially at fault for causing the accident?

View All