Numerous studies show that helmets save motorcycle riders’ lives if they wear them. According to a report by the Center for Disease Control, helmets reduce the risk of death by as much as around 37% and serious injury by almost 70% when worn in a crash.
In Washington state, helmets are required for anyone operating a motorcycle on the public streets and off.
How Dangerous is Motorcycle Riding?
According to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcycle rider is 28 times more at risk of a fatality than a typical passenger vehicle driver. Another way to look at this is that in 2017, there were 40,000 people who died in auto accidents, and of those, 5,000 were motorcycle riders and passengers.
Helmet use and Liability
Some motorcycle riders injured in a crash assume that they are not able to receive compensation for their injuries in an accident if they were not wearing a helmet. However, Washington state law does not support that fear.
In Washington state, if you are not wearing a helmet and suffer a head injury, this alone can’t keep you from getting compensation for your injuries. If the other driver/rider is at fault, then you can get compensation for your economic losses stemming from the wreck even if you weren’t wearing a helmet.
However, Washington state is a comparative fault state which means that each party to the accident is assigned fault. If the court finds that the injured motorcycle rider or passenger is a certain percentage at fault for their injuries because they weren’t wearing a helmet, then any compensation award can be reduced by that amount.
Wearing a helmet is always the best idea. Not only can it save your life, but it can help protect your liability if you are in an accident. However, if you find yourself injured and you weren’t wearing a helmet, at Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., we will fight for you to get as much compensation as the law will allow.
Contact a Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S. is committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
