Is a Helmet Required on a Motorcycle in Indiana?
In Indiana, when driving a motorcycle, does a person have to wear a helmet? Helmet’s are important for rider safety and can help save lives and prevent major injuries from happening. It is important when riding a motorcycle to be as safe as possible.
Because motorcycles are smaller than passenger cars, they can be harder to see on the roads, and thus can be more susceptible to being hit by a passenger car. Therefore it is important to be vigilant on the roads when driving, and to be safe by wearing a helmet and protective eyewear at all times.
Indiana Law about Motorcycle Helmets
Under Indiana Code Section 9-19-7-1, a person under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. This law states that while riding or operating a motorcycle, persons under the age of 18 must wear a helmet and an approved eye shield.
This code section also applies to those who are operating a motorcycle with a permit. The code section does not apply to anyone else, therefore anyone over the age of 18 who has a license to operate a motorcycle does not need to wear a helmet.
The purpose behind this section of the Indiana Code is simply to save lives and prevent those who are new to operating a motorcycle and younger from being reckless while operating a motorcycle. This statute is important because it protects those who may be the most likely to be involved in an accident: new drivers.
Helmets are Important in Order to Prevent Serious Injury
Wearing a helmet and proper eye protection when on a motorcycle is important when dealing with accidents. In an accident, a helmet can prevent more serious injuries from occurring. This is especially important because when dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident, one of the first things they might ask is whether or not you were wearing a helmet.
If you are not wearing a helmet and have injured your head or neck, insurance companies are more likely to declare you as someone at fault, and not work with you to help pay medical bills or other costs associated with the accident.
Insurance companies generally are more likely to put some of the blame for an accident or injuries resulting from an accident on someone operating a motorcycle. This is because insurance companies paint motorcycles in a negative light. Even if you were wearing a helmet and protective eyewear, insurance companies will still try to paint you at fault because of the argument that motorcycles are less safe than a conventional vehicle.
What Should I do if I Have Been Involved in A Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help deal with the insurance companies and their prejudices against motorcyclists. At Hurst Limontes LLC, we have over 65 combined years of experience in personal injury accident cases throughout the Indianapolis area. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you file your claim and be adequately compensated for your incurred damages.
