The month of May is motorcycle safety awareness month. With an average of 70,000 motorcycle injuries occurring every year nationwide, one can never be too cognizant of safety procedures and precautions. Many motorcycle injuries and fatalities can be prevented with a few simple safety measures. Throughout the month, we will be posting a series of motorcycle safety blogs that will examine some easy ways to protect yourself from serious injury in the event of an accident.
Safety Step One: wear a helmet.
Although motorcyclists over the age of eighteen are not legally required to wear a helmet in the state of Utah, every biker should wear protective headgear every time he/she rides. Here are three reasons why you should wear a helmet every time your ride.
Helmets save lives:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets saves over 1,100 motorcyclists’ lives in 2003. An additional 600 lives could have been saved had the victims been wearing helmets. It goes without saying that motorcyclists are at increased risk for serious injuries or fatalities in the event of a traffic accident. However, the NHTSA has found that helmets reduce the risk of fatality by 29%. The simple precaution of wearing a helmet could easily save your life.
Helmets prevent brain injuries:
Furthermore, helmets are greatly effective in reducing the risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBI is a serious condition that can have life-long consequences. Victims of severe TBI may suffer from amnesia, subdural hematomas, hemorrhaging, or seizures. Milder cases of TBI can result in dizziness, blurred vision, memory loss, depression, and personality changes. Such symptoms can take a dramatic physical and emotional toll on your personal life. Proper use of a motorcycle helmet greatly reduces the risk of TBI. According to studies conducted by the NHTSA, helmets are 67% effective in preventing severe brain injuries.
Helmets save you money:
A good motorcycle helmet could cost you a couple hundred dollars. While that is certainly not pocket change, it pales in comparison to the medical costs of head injuries. The average cost for an accident victim with head wounds is $43,000, while the average medical cost for motorcycle victims without head wounds is only $15,000. On average, a motorcycle accident victim who purchased and used a helmet saved nearly $30,000. The risk of fatality and head injuries aside, a helmet is simply a good economic investment.
Check back on our blog for more motorcycle safety tips in the coming weeks. For more information on Utah motorcycle accident statistics, insurance information, and safety articles, visit the Christensen Law Firm’s motorcycle website at www.utahmotorcylelawyers.com