Motorcycle helmet laws have a long and confusing history. States started passing these laws in the 1960s after research showed their effectiveness. The U.S. Congress even got involved, briefly mandating that states pass laws requiring helmet use. But helmet mandates have provoked strong protests from libertarians despite evidence showing that helmets reduce injuries and deaths.
If you get injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, NV, the at-fault driver may assert that you failed to comply with helmet laws in Nevada. De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers can address this defense and fight to get just compensation for your injuries.
Schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at (702) 222-9999 to learn more.
How De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Las Vegas, NV
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers has been helping accident victims in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 1989 in their pursuit of fair personal injury compensation. Our Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyers have 100 years of combined experience fighting on behalf of the firm’s injured clients.
After suffering an injury, our attorneys can provide:
- Legal advice and counsel so you understand your rights and options
- A dedicated legal team fighting insurers for a fair settlement of your claim
- Experienced and award-winning litigators to take your case to court if it does not settle
A motorcycle crash can result in catastrophic injuries to your head, neck, and limbs. Contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the compensation we can help you pursue for your injuries.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Work?
Most states require helmets due to the safety benefits of wearing them. Motorcycle helmets reduce head injuries by up to 69%. To put this in context, a study published by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine showed that 38% of unhelmeted riders suffered head injuries. This number dropped to 24% for helmeted riders.
Equally importantly, helmets save lives. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of death in a crash by 37% for operators and 41% for passengers. The CDC further estimated that helmet use saved nearly 1,900 lives in 2017 alone.
Most states, including Nevada, recognize these facts. Only three states, Iowa, Illinois, and New Hampshire, have no motorcycle helmet laws. The remaining 47 require at least some operators and passengers to wear helmets while riding.
States started passing universal helmet laws in 1965. The number of states passing these laws accelerated through the late 1960s due to a federal law that withheld some of their highway funding until they required universal helmet use. The trend reversed in the 1970s, as states rolled back their laws when the mandate expired.
Nevada, however, has remained consistent in requiring motorcycle helmets. Its law was passed in 1971 and has survived for over 50 years with only minor amendments.
Las Vegas Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Only 18 states have universal helmet laws that require all riders to wear helmets at all times. Nevada is one of them. Under Nevada’s law, all operators and passengers must wear a helmet regardless of their age.
To comply with Nevada’s law, motorcycle riders must wear helmets approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Approved helmets include a marking on the back of the helmet, identifying it as compliant. Novelty helmets without this marking do not meet the law’s requirements.
Exceptions To Nevada’s Helmet Law
Nevada’s law has two exceptions. The first exception allows operators and passengers to ride in locally authorized parades without helmets. This exception only applies during the parade. Once the parade ends, the riders must wear their helmets.
The second exception only applies to three-wheeled motorcycles with enclosed cabs. While riding inside the enclosed cab of the tricycle, riders and passengers do not need to wear a helmet.
The Risks of Riding Without a Motorcycle Helmet
You face several risks when you ride without a helmet. First and foremost, you can suffer a serious head injury if you crash. The hard shell of your helmet protects your head from lacerations and abrasions. The cushioning inside the helmet absorbs and dissipates impacts.
When you ride without a helmet, you can suffer cuts and scrapes to your face and scalp as you slide across the pavement after a crash. But more importantly, the impact of your head on the ground can injure your brain. As a result, you may suffer from permanent brain damage that produces physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
If you fail to wear a helmet, an insurer or jury can blame you, at least partially, for any head injuries you suffer. Under Nevada’s comparative negligence law, your damages get reduced by your share of the blame.
For instance, suppose that a jury found you 35% responsible for your head injuries because you were riding without a helmet. In this case, you are only eligible to recover 65% of the losses you suffered due to those injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Motorcycle Crash Lawyer in Las Vegas
Motorcycle crashes can cause serious injuries even when you wear a helmet. Contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the compensation you can pursue for them under Nevada law. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys are here to listen and help.