Bicycle helmet laws have recently been cropping up across America at both the state and local levels. There is no comprehensive federal legislation covering bicycle helmets at this time. Approximately half of the states have some sort of law on the books that requires a child to wear a helmet, and there are also several cities and municipalities that have adopted similar measures. It is important to know the details about the particular municipality in order to know what laws are in place for bicyclists.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports approximately 700 fatalities among bicycle riders in an average year. An average of about 50,000 suffer injury, and these numbers appear to be on the rise. Bicycle helmets have been shown to be about 88 percent effective in preventing severe cranial trauma in the specific types of accidents that would have resulted in such an injury.
Helmet laws vary widely across America. For example, while Kentucky law doesn't require bicycle riders or passengers to wear helmets unless they're in Louisville, Florida requires that every bicycle rider under the age of 16 wear a helmet unless they are in a private driveway.
Every state and municipality with a bicycle helmet law holds different penalties and punishments to those who violate it. Some states extend their laws to include in-line skates and scooters while other states say that no helmets are needed if the rider is in a cul-de-sac or other dead-end street. There are even cases where the state and local law disagree.
The states that currently have bicycle helmet laws are:
When selecting a bike helmet for you or your child, you'll need to find one that not only fits well but provides decent protection in case of an accident. You'll want to search for a CPSC sticker somewhere on the helmet. This shows that the helmet meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. You'll also want to select a helmet with a smooth outer shell and no snag points or sharp edges. Brighter helmets will be easier for motorists to see. Be wary of selecting helmets with too many vents as these can increase pressure on a few points in an impact.
Accidents involving bicyclists are dangerous even with a helmet on. It's important to keep as safe as possible by preventing further injury with a helmet. Failure to wear a helmet, or provide one for a child, in a place with helmet laws could result in fines or other penalties. In the event of a collision with a vehicle, a helmet could be the difference between traumatic injuries and minor ones. If injuries occur as a result of a driver's negligence or the failure of a helmet to function properly during an accident, an injured victim may be able to seek compensation from the driver at fault or the manufacturer of the helmet with the help of an attorney.
Injuries cost money, including time away from work, medical bills and other complications. You should have an attorney help you with your claim. Not sure if you have a good injury case? Speak to a local personal injury attorney about the merits of your case. This one step can help you protect your rights and take the proper next steps.
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