Do Helmets Reduce the Risk of Brain Injury in Motorcycle Accidents?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident. When the rider is not wearing a helmet, a TBI is also one of the most common injuries.

Florida law does not require wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle for those over 21 years old if they carry medical payment insurance of at least $10,000. Our former universal helmet law was repealed in 2000.

But half of all deaths in motorcycle accidents are caused by injuries to the head. Even when the rider survives the crash, TBIs can leave a victim with severe, long-lasting damage and even permanent disability.

Motorcycles are obviously much more vulnerable in a crash than other vehicles. Car drivers are protected by the frame of the car around them as well as by airbags that minimize head injuries in many collisions. But a motorcycle has no protection for its riders and, in a crash, the head all too often collides with the road or another vehicle.

Can wearing a helmet reduce TBIs? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that helmets are 37% effective in preventing deaths in a motorcycle accident, and 67% effective in preventing brain injuries.

Not all helmets have the same effectiveness in an accident. Certainly, ornamental or novelty helmets that do not meet safety standards will not have the same success rate.

Many motorcycle helmets are designed to protect the skull from fracture in a crash. But only certain models are able to lessen the brain damage during an accident. The force and jarring movement in an accident causes your brain to spin inside the skull. These movements of the brain, also called rotational or angular acceleration, can result in TBI and mild TBI or concussion.

Choosing a well-made, protective helmet that meets all safety standards is as important as tuning your bike to keep it running in tiptop condition. The helmet's outer shell is rugged, but designed to compress under impact to disperse energy away from your head. The dense cushioning layer inside the shell absorbs impact and compresses to deflect energy away from your head.

Selecting which helmet to wear is a very personal decision; choosing to wear a helmet is smart. You can learn more about helmet choice and getting the right fit in this Motorcycle Safety Foundation brochure.

If you or a family member has been harmed by a truck accident, bus accident, car accident, slip and fall or any other type of personal injury, please contact the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. immediately. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.