Motorcycles are much less stable and less visible than cars. This means that riders are more prone to severe accidents and injuries when on-road collisions occur.
Because of this, motorcyclists are encouraged to take extra precautions on their bikes, including wearing the proper safety gear. This typically consists of a motorcycle helmet, gloves, goggles, and leather apparel.
Illinois is one of the very few states that does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. However, just because there is no helmet law does not mean that riders should disregard this important safety tool that could potentially save their lives.
Helmet Statistics
We gathered some motorcycle helmet statistics to show how effective these tools really are at preventing injuries:
Motorcycle helmets are about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 42 percent.
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,870 motorcyclists in 2017.
In 2017, 750 lives in all states could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
In 2017, there were 10 times as many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without helmet laws (1,777 unhelmeted fatalities) as in states with helmet laws (170 unhelmeted fatalities).
Motorcycle riders have various reasons for ditching helmets (they don’t like the look, they want to decide for themselves, etc.), however, it’s important to remember that nothing is more important than safety, especially when riding a motorcycle.
If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident, turn to our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys for help. These cases usually cause severe damages, for which you may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical bills
Property damage
Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact McNabola & Associates at (312) 888-8700 to schedule your free consultation!