Among motorcycle riders, there are many different opinions about helmets. While some drivers see them as essential safety equipment, others feel they interfere with the carefree riding experience. Wherever you stand, it’s important to know how your helmet habits could affect your case should you get into an accident. If you want to learn more about motorcycle helmet laws before meeting with a personal injury attorney, consider the following guide.

If You Were in a Motorcycle Accident & Didn’t Wear a Helmet, Could You Still Obtain Compensation?

There are many states in the U.S. that require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. However, some states, such as Ohio, have less strict guidelines. According to Ohio Revised Code section 4511.53, any motorcyclist who is a minor—under the age of 18—must wear a helmet while riding. If there are any passengers on the bike while the minor is driving, they must also wear a helmet, regardless of their age. Also, if your license indicates that you are a novice, or have just recently obtained your motorcycle license, you and your passengers must also wear a helmet at all times. 

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Ohio and are a minor or novice who is not wearing a helmet, you might worry that disobeying this law could affect your ability to obtain compensation. However, while this might be the case in some states, your personal injury can still win you compensation if you weren’t wearing a helmet. According to state law, this motorcycle helmet rule cannot be used against you “in the trial of any civil action.”

What Factors Could Affect Your Case?

While your helmet habits might not affect your Ohio case, wearing one will significantly reduce the severity of your injuries. What could affect your case is the length you wait between the accident and filing a claim. If you don’t file within a few days or weeks of the event, it could be harder to obtain compensation. Also, if you don’t hire a personal injury attorney, the insurance company might be more inclined to offer less compensation, hoping you’ll accept it out of convenience without a lawyer to tell you it’s not an adequate sum.

If you would like to know what compensation you are entitled to after a motorcycle accident, turn to Morrow, Gordon & Byrd, Ltd. of Newark, OH. With over 80 years of experience in the industry, this firm is committed to providing reliable legal help for individuals, businesses, and a wide range of other clients. Whether you’re dealing with an accident injury, wrongful death, or another civil case, call them at (740) 345-9611 to request a consultation. You can also visit the website for more information on their skills.