As the weather warms, many motorcycle riders find it is the perfect season for a ride. Whether it’s a short trip or a multi-day trek to your favorite rally, being sure to wear your helmet can be the best thing you do to keep safe.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Harm
When hopping on the “ole scoot” for a summer drive, it is important to remember that there are risks associated with motorcycle riding. For instance, when heading out it is important to keep the following in mind:
Most motorcycle accidents happen on short trips – Most motorcycle accidents happen close to home during short trips that are less than five miles long.
Even low-speed accidents can be fatal – In most instances, motorcycle riders are not travelling at excessive speeds when they are injured. In fact, most accidents happen at less than thirty miles per hour. Nevertheless, a motorcycle rider can sustain serious injuries at these speeds, especially if they are not wearing the proper protective gear.
A helmet drastically reduces your risk of harm – Wearing a helmet is the best single thing you can do to reduce your risk of harm while riding on a motorcycle. Those riders who travel without a helmet are three times more likely to die from head injuries during a crash than those riders who are helmeted.
Wearing a Helmet is the Law in Georgia
Under Georgia law, motorcycle riders are required to wear a helmet and other necessary protective gear. Aside from the risk of injury, a failure to wear a helmet while traveling through the state may result in a ticket and a hefty fine.
The Benefits of Wearing a Helmet
Avoid Injury – The most important benefit to wearing a helmet is that it protects your head during a crash. Such protection may save your life or otherwise prevent serious head trauma, including brain damage. A simple fact of the road is that most objects are larger and more dangerous than a motorcycle. In nearly every accident between a motorcycle and a car it is the motorcycle rider that sustains the most injuries. Wearing a helmet makes the risk of damage to the head or face almost negligible.
Protection From Debris – A proper helmet offers great protection against wind and dust. A visor will stop wind and dust from getting into your eyes and obstructing your vision. A helmet also offers protection against small rocks, bugs, or other debris that can cause a motorcycle rider to momentarily lose focus on the road.
Keep Your Vision Free – As any rider knows, once you get above twenty miles per hour the wind starts to whip around a bit. If you have long hair, a helmet can keep your hair from getting in your eyes. Keeping your vision clear is one of the best ways that a helmet helps prevent accidents and keeps riders safe.
Help When You Have Been Injured in an Accident
As every rider knows, even the most prudent motorcycle rider with the most effective safety gear is not fully protected from the reckless driving of others. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident it is essential that you contact a skilled Atlanta motorcycle attorney right away. The personal injury lawyers at Goldstein and Hayes, P.C., have extensive experience helping motorcycle riders recover damages associated with the accidents they have suffered. We can answer your questions, assess your case, and help you hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.