Motorcycle Crashes and Helmets: Statistics Prove that Helmets Save Lives

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued statistics indicating that in 2006 helmets dramatically saved lives in motorcycle crashes. The NHTSA estimates that had all motorcyclists involved in collisions worn helmets in 2006, 752 more people would have survived their injuries. As it was, in 2006 it is estimated that motorcycle helmets saved 1,658 lives. Over 4,800 motorcycle riders died in 2006.
Obviously, in those states that require helmet use, the number of riders wearing helmets are greatly in excess of those in states where there is no requirement that the rider wear a helmet. According to the NHTSA, only 20 states and the District of Columbia had laws on the books requiring all motorcyclist to wear helmets. In another 27 states, only people between specific ages (usually between 17 to 20 years of age) were required to wear helmets. Three states had no helmet use laws at all.
Given the statistics which indicate that helmets save lives and prevent serious injuries, it is clear that motorcycle riders should wear their helmets at all times. As we have indicated before, our practice mirrors these national statistics. In every serious injury case we have had involving motorcycle riders, we are confronted either with a death claim, an amputation claim or a serious head injury claim. These collisions are always serious for the rider. Thus, the greater protection for the rider the better the likely outcome. The NHTSA statistics bear out the experience of our serious injury and wrongful death attorneys.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) works very closely with state and federal authorities in promoting rider safety. The experience of this Foundation also mirrors that of our practice and the statistics maintained by the NHTSA. Those motorcycle operators that wear protective gear, especially helmets, ride sober and operate their motorcycles within speed limits have less serious injury cases than do other riders. We would encourage all riders to take a look at the website of the MSF (see http://www.msf-usa.org) for further safety tips.