Report: Connecticut needs an all-rider motorcycle helmet law

In one of our previous posts, we discussed the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s recently-released 2015 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, which evaluates the traffic safety laws in each state. Specifically, the Advocates look for the enforcement of 15 optimal laws that the group believes are necessary to promote highway safety.

The state of Connecticut received a rating of “needs improvement because of gaps in Advocates’ recommended optimal laws,” and one of the laws that is missing is an all-rider motorcycle helmet law. In the report, the Advocates stated that 10 lives in Connecticut could have been saved in the year 2012 alone with 100 percent helmet use. 

The report went into detail on the importance of all-rider motorcycle helmet laws, stating that motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2012 while only representing 3 percent of all registered vehicles on U.S. roadways.

Additionally, the report indicated that in 2013 there were 11 times as many motorcycle fatalities involving un-helmeted motorcyclists in states without an all-rider helmet law compared to states with an all-rider helmet law.

States with an all-rider helmet law had 96 percent observed use of helmets, according to the report, while the use rate was just 55 percent in states without an all-rider helmet law. Finally, motorcycle helmets have been determined to be 69 percent effective at preventing brain injuries in motorcyclists.  

Ultimately, if you enjoy riding a motorcycle, it would be wise to wear a helmet, whether it is the law or not.

From a personal injury law perspective, not only do the victims of motorcycle accidents often end up with very serious injuries, they also often face a very difficult battle getting the financial compensation that they deserve because of the unfair bias the general public has against motorcyclists.

After a serious motorcycle accident has occurred, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer to fight for compensation on your behalf. All too often, injured motorcyclists end up walking away without the compensation that they are entitled to.