The Effectiveness of Florida’s Partial Helmet Law

Motorcycle accidents have a much higher chance of producing catastrophic results than most other types of vehicle collisions. They frequently cause riders to endure critical and lifelong injuries and are often responsible for the loss of lives. As stated in a report issued by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, for each vehicle mile traveled in the United States, a motorcycle-related fatality occurs 28 times more frequently than a passenger vehicle-related fatality.

Due to this elevated risk, it isn’t at all surprising that motorcycle riders are required by law to wear a helmet. Helmets not only substantially increase your odds of surviving a motorcycle crash, but they also reduce your chances of sustaining a catastrophic accident-related injury. 

Florida’s Partial Helmet Law

In the state of Florida, any motorcycle rider who is over 21 years of age and carries a minimum of $10,000 of coverage in medical insurance is not legally obligated to don a helmet when they ride. Although several states have a similar partial helmet law, Florida and Michigan are the only two states that demand a rider have medical coverage. 

Riders who are 20-years-old and younger, however, are required to wear a helmet whenever they ride no matter what type of insurance they have at the time. 

It is important for all riders to keep in mind that just because Florida gives you the option of wearing or not wearing a helmet when you ride doesn’t mean that riding without one is a smart idea. Decades of scientific research and basic common sense have both proven that one of the best ways to stay safe on a motorcycle is to always wear a helmet.  

Risk Statistics

A publication released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that:

• Wearing your helmet reduces your chances of dying during a motorcycle accident by 37% 
• Wearing your helmet reduces your chances of sustaining an injury to your head during a motorcycle accident by 69%
• Proper use of motorcycle helmets saved approximately 1,860 lives in a recent year on record

In spite of these large numbers, however, just 71% of motorcycle riders across the country actually wore one in 2018. A lot of riders feel as though wearing a helmet decreases the enjoyment that they get from taking their bike out on the open road. Unfortunately, this way of thinking often results in a tragic chain of events.

Are Motorcycle Helmets Really Effective?

Various research studies conducted over decades confirm that helmets routinely save numerous lives and lessen the chances of suffering from serious or fatal injuries. Studies have shown that wearing a motorcycle helmet effectively prevents 9% of all accident-related injuries. They are also 26% effective in deterring injuries critical enough to require medical transportation, a visit to the emergency room, extended hospitalizations, time in the intensive care unit, and ongoing physical therapy.

If you or a member of your family has sustained injuries during a Tampa motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s careless or reckless behavior, then Florida’s personal injury laws entitle you to full and fair financial compensation for your damages. 

Reach out to our personal injury law offices in Tampa today by calling (813) 463-0123 and scheduling an appointment for your free, no-obligation personal injury consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.