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Riding a motorcycle is thrilling but involves more risk to riders than car occupants experience, as personal injury attorneys will tell you. Helmet laws and rules for safety on the road may affect whether you’re eligible for compensation if you suffer an accident with injuries while riding a motorcycle. Here’s what you should know about Georgia’s motorcycle helmet laws and their impact on injury claims.

What is Georgia’s Motorcycle Helmet Law?

Under the Code of Georgia Section 40-6-315(a), a person operating or riding a motorcycle must wear protective headgear that complies with standards established by the Commissioner of Public Safety. A helmet that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 is acceptable.

attorney-Warner-Robins-GATo be compliant, a helmet must have about a 1-inch thick firm polystyrene foam inner liner, with or without a comfort liner. If there’s a permanent, manufacturer-installed “DOT” symbol on the helmet back, that means it complies with the standard. 

Compensation for Personal Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Generally, if someone else caused your motorcycle accident and you were injured, the person causing the accident would be liable for  compensation. If an injured motorcycle rider was not wearing a helmet and suffered a head or neck injury, they still might be eligible to receive money damages under Georgia’s contributory negligence law. The rider may recover damages if a judge or jury find the rider was less than 50% at fault for the injury.

If other parts of the rider’s body were injured, but not the head and neck, skilled attorneys would argue that the lack of a helmet does not matter. Having an experienced personal injury attorney can make the difference in whether you receive all the compensation available under the law. 

 

If you or a loved one suffers injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can count on the personal injury and car accident attorneys at The Walker Firm to fight for you. Offering sound advice and skilled advocacy, these experienced attorneys represent clients throughout Houston County, GA, in catastrophic accident suits, wrongful death cases, and criminal law charges. Call (478) 923-4152 or visit their website to arrange a free initial consultation.

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