Motorcycle Accidents: How Helmets Reduce Head Injuries

Last month, a motorcycle rider was rushed to hospital after colliding head-on with another rider in an off-road riding area in Bend. Fortunately, the two motorcyclists were travelling only around 20 mph, but even so, they were unable to avoid impact.

One rider did not need medical treatment, and the other was airlifted to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both were extremely lucky – very often motorcycle accidents can be extremely costly in terms of physical, emotional, and financial damage.

A key things working in the riders’ favor was that they were both wearing helmets and had been riding dirt bikes for many years.

The Importance of Wearing a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle

A person who rides a motorcycle without the appropriate headgear takes a huge gamble with their life. Because a motorcycle is not an enclosed motor vehicle, you have an increased risk of being thrown in the event of a collision or other type of accident. There are not seatbelts nor surrounding metal to protect you in an accident.

It is important to understand that regardless of how save a rider you are, there are other drivers on the road – who may not be so careful – whose careless actions put motorcycle riders in danger when sharing the roads.

To prevent often devastating injuries, helmets should always be worn when riding motorcycles, as they have many benefits besides protecting your head in the event of a crash. For example, a motorcycle helmet can protect you from wind noise, weather, and flying objects from the road. The most important of these are often thought to be protection against flying objects and costs of insurance and medical treatment.

While operating a motorcycle, it is inevitable that you will one day encounter flying debris, whether it is from another vehicle, bugs in the air, or something else. A quality motorcycle helmet is equipped with a face shield to protect your eyes and other vulnerable parts of your face, and will be able to protect you from most flying debris. Without a helmet, rocks, gravel, broken glass, and refuse thrown from cars and trucks can easily be kicked up from your motorcycle or another car and find their way into your eyes or onto your face. This has the potential to causing injuries, or an accident.

Additionally, wearing a helmet is wise if you want to cut down the costs of insurance or medical bills in the event of an accident. Motorcycle riders who do not wear helmets will have higher health care costs in the event of an accident because their injuries are more likely to be more severe.

When You Have Been in a Motorcycle Accident

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, calling a personal injury attorney is a step in the right direction. Our attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss approach each case brought to us with professionalism, diligence and compassion. We can help you pursue your case, usually being able to settle it in your favor without the need of a trial, and always working towards obtaining the compensation for your injuries to which you are entitled.

For a free initial consultation, we welcome your call to our office at (541) 617-0555.

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