Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Ohio

Riding a motorcycle is a fun and freeing experience where you can feel the open wind on your back while you’re cruising down the road. Before you get on your motorcycle, it’s important to know the laws and regulations that you need to follow. That way, you can stay as safe as possible and make sure that you’re following the rules of the road.

If you get into a collision with an object or another vehicle, and you weren’t following the law, then this could be detrimental for you in many ways. One of the main ways this can harm you is if you neglect to follow the helmet laws. These are in place to keep you as safe as possible when you get into an accident.

When you were following Ohio motorcycle laws and still got into a crash, you could use the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Cincinnati from Bey & Associates. We’ll fight to get you justice for what you’ve suffered.

Ohio Motorcycle Laws

Riding a motorcycle can be incredibly dangerous. Unlike regular vehicles, you are completely exposed to the elements when you ride on a motorbike, and this leaves you more vulnerable to injuries and other damages if you end up in a wreck. Not only can you be injured from the initial impact, but you can also suffer from injuries if you fall off your bike and hit the road or another object. This is why it’s important to be mindful of your equipment and the laws surrounding helmet use on a motorcycle.

In Ohio, the law states that any motorcycle operator or rider under 18 years old, or if their license designates novice, must wear a safety helmet while riding. All riders must wear protective eyewear while on a motorcycle as well. The only time riders don’t have to follow these provisions is if the motorcycle has an enclosed cab that protects its riders.

In our state, a novice rider is someone who has their license but has had it for less than a year. As a rule, if the operator is required to wear a helmet, then any other passengers on the bike must wear a helmet as well.

In case you’re still considering getting onto a motorcycle in Cincinnati without putting on a helmet, let’s take a look at the dangers of not wearing one, and what kinds of injuries it could protect you from if you get into a collision while riding your motorbike.

Dangers of Not Wearing a Helmet

You might think that you’re experienced enough to not need a helmet while riding your motorcycle. Even though you might be covered by the law and do not have to legally wear a helmet, it still is important for you to protect yourself and all other riders by wearing one while on your motorbike. Helmets can be the difference between severe injury and staying safe.

According to an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries for motorcyclists and 41 percent effective for their passengers. Even though there will always be situations where a helmet can’t save you, they are effective in preventing serious injuries in accidents where a motorcyclist could hit their head.

Head injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can happen to a motorcyclist. Brain injuries might seem like they are usually mild and heal, like concussions, that’s not always the case. If your head is hurt badly enough, it can affect the rest of your life. If the head injury you incur is bad enough, it could leave you incapacitated.

A helmet can also protect from neck and spinal injuries. Even though it seems as though a helmet only protects a rider’s head, it can also be effective in preventing other injuries. Broken necks and spinal injuries can also be a severe injury that you can incur in a motorcycle accident. When you wear a helmet, you can prevent these injuries and keep yourself from suffering worse injuries than necessary in an accident.

Bey & Associates Is Here to Represent You in Your Claim

When you wore your helmet and followed the rules, and you still get injured from someone else causing a collision with you, then you could use the help of a Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyer to get you justice for your damages. At Bey & Associates, we’re here to represent you and help you recover compensation for the injuries and costs you’ve suffered in Ohio.

With one of our attorneys on your side, you can rest assured that we will fully investigate what happened to you so that we can determine who was at fault for the crash. We’ll determine how much you’re owed and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. Reach out to our firm today so we can discuss your legal options.