As the year’s peak motorcycling season descends on us, it is important for motorcyclists to evaluate all of their gear and make sure that everything is in prime condition to prevent personal injuries in an auto accident. Keeping the gear in good condition is an important safety measure.
The summer months are the busiest motorcycling days of the year, and Georgia roads are likely to see an increase in the number of motorcycles over the next few weeks. While motorists in cars and trucks enjoy plenty of protection in the form of seatbelts and airbag systems as well as crash avoidance tech, motorcyclists are not as lucky. They must depend on sturdy and well -fitting helmets, and high quality motorcycle gear to reduce their risk of injuries in an accident. While motorcycles on their own have become safer over the past few years with new technology, motorcyclists are ultimately responsible for reducing the severity and number of personal injuries they suffer in an auto accident through the kind of clothing and gear that they wear.
Wearing a helmet is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of suffering head injuries in the event of an auto accident. The state of Georgia recognizes the importance of helmets in preventing head injuries in an accident, and requires all motorcyclists, including passengers, to wear helmets. Georgia helmet laws are not restricted to passengers or motorcyclists below a certain age. No matter what your age or experience levels, you must wear a helmet when you are out riding in Georgia. Those laws, on their own, significantly reduce the number of motorcycle accident – related head injuries that occur in Georgia every year.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates specifications for the kind of motorcycle helmet that you can wear, and standard number 218 specifically outlines those requirements. Make sure that the motorcycle helmet you wear has the DOT label affixed on the helmet, confirming that the helmet does indeed meet FMCSA standards. The specifications relate to the weight of the helmet – must be 3 pounds or less – and a mandate that the helmet be manufactured using specific solid components.
However, it is also important to remember that components can break down over time. A helmet may become more fragile and less likely to prevent serious personal injuries as it gets older. Broadly, experts recommend that you change your motorcycle helmet after 5 years. Helmets do not come with expiration dates and so, it is important to ensure that you are not wearing a helmet that is old, outdated and structurally weak in order to reduce your risk of personal injuries in an auto accident involving a motorcycle.
The Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for damages that include medical costs, lost income and other forms of compensation. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.