Helmet Laws in Denver Motorcycle Accidents
Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to protect yourself, in anticipation of a potential accident. Furthermore, people are legally required to wear helmets. Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-1502 Sub-Section 4.5 states that a person shall not operate or as a passenger on a motorcycle or a low-powered scooter unless each person under 18 years of age is wearing an approved motorcycle helmet. If you want to know more about helmet laws in Denver motorcycle accidents, consult a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney that could answer your questions.
Helmet Requirements
Pursuant to the Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-1502 Sub-Section 4.5, a person shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or a low-powered scooter unless each person under the age of 18 is wearing an approved motorcycle helmet.
This means that in Denver, anyone over the age of 18 is not required by law to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. However, if an individual is under the age of 18 and they are either operating a motorcycle or are a passenger on a motorcycle, they must wear a helmet. Regardless of person’s age, motorcycle operators and passengers are required to wear some sort of protective eye gear.
How Motorcycle Engine Size Impacts Helmet Laws
Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-1502 Sub-Section 4.5 states that a person shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or a low-powered scooter unless each person under 18 years of age is wearing an approved motorcycle helmet. As long as a vehicle is under the cc requirement, they are not required to wear helmets. If they are above the cc requirement, then they are forced to wear helmets. Usually, a moped or any low-powered type scooter is going to be excluded from the helmet requirement.
Legal Implications of Not Wearing a Helmet
If a rider or passenger of a motorcycle is under the age of 18, they must wear a helmet. If they are not wearing a helmet, they may be ticketed by the police officer for the infraction which carries a fine and it may cause points against an individual’s license.
Not only does violating helmet laws make Denver motorcycle accidents more dangerous, it could also result in the motorcyclist being found comparatively negligent for the incident. This means that the motorcyclist could have avoided the incident, mitigated it or reduced their damages by just wearing a helmet. Therefore, the money the motorcyclist would have received will be reduced by the amount the motorcyclist is deemed to be at fault.
Ways Wearing a Helmet Can Protect Motorcyclists
Crashes are not rare events. One of every five motorcycle crashes reported result in some type of head or neck injury. Head injuries are just as severe as neck injuries and far more common. Research shows that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of neck and head injuries.
Riders not wearing helmets are three times more likely to die of a head injury than riders who are wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Even if it is not required by law, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of neck and serious head injuries, if not death, in the event of a Denver motorcycle accident.
Discuss Motorcycle Helmet Laws With a Denver Accident Attorney
The consequences of not following helmet laws in Denver motorcycle accidents can be severe. If an individual has been involved in a motorcycle accident, they should contact a skilled lawyer that could help.
