Long Island, Manhattan Accident Attorney Blog

Helmets Prevent Head Injuries in New York Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists often complain about having to wear a helmet, as they believe it takes away from the experience of riding on the open road.  However, in New York, it is required that all motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets while the motorcycle is in operation.  New York is one of several states that has enacted motorcycle helmet laws, which have been created to protect motorcyclists from injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes.

Motorcycles carry unique risks when compared to other vehicles, such as cars, trucks and vans.  A motorcyclist has little protection if struck by a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds.  To compound the problem, if the motorcyclist is ejected from the motorcycle, serious injuries can occur.  Motorcycle helmets can help reduce the severity of injuries, especially to the head.  A helmet provides cushion if the motorcyclist were to hit a hard surface, such as pavement.  A study by the University of Southern California concluded that wearing a motorcycle helmet was the single most important factor in surviving a motorcycle accident.

It is a known fact that head injury is the most common cause of death in motorcycle crashes.  Wearing a motorcycle helmet though, can lower the risk of death in a motorcycle crash by 37 percent.  One study even suggested that motorcycle helmets are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries and that a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet during an accident is three times more likely to suffer brain injuries than a helmeted motorcyclist.

The article, “Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet in New York Can Save Your Life,” has more facts and statistics relating to the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets in preventing head injuries.

If you have been injured in a New York motorcycle accident, contact the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.