Motorcycle helmets are a rider’s best protection against fatal head injuries during a motorcycle accident in Phoenix. In fact, a study made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006 reveals that helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing fatal head injuries to motorcyclists. Another research study conducted by Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) estimates helmets are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
Just days ago, an off duty police officer was involved in a Phoenix motorcycle accident, leaving him critically injured. Investigators say that he was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred at 51st Avenue on Monday morning.
As reported by AZ Family (12/20/2010), while heading to an off duty job, the officer’s motorcycle crashed after skidding and rear ending a box truck while changing lanes. The 35-year-old member of the Phoenix Police was immediately transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital and remains in a critical condition.
In the United States, twenty states and the District of Columbia have existing motorcycle helmet laws requiring all riders to wear a helmet; Arizona is not one of them. Here it is a rider’s choice whether to wear a helmet or not. However, while there may not be a written law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, if a rider is in an accident and his or her injuries could have been prevented had he or she worn a helmet, the at-fault driver could avoid penalty! You can learn about this seeming paradox in our new book, The Arizona Motorcycle Accident Guide, available now. Please call (602) 267-1280 if you would like a free copy.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a motorcycle accident, a free consultation is available with one of our Phoenix motorcycle crash lawyers at (602) 267-1280. As top Phoenix accident attorneys, we are committed to fighting for rightful compensation for all accident victims in Arizona.
