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Novelty Helmets Offer Little Protection in a Motorcycle Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 29, 2013

Motorcycle accident attorneys in Florida are reminding readers to base their purchasing decisions on protective headgear on safety standards, instead of on a helmet’s look. A recent report revealed that around 800,000 novelty motorcycle helmets are sold in the U.S. each year. This headgear typically features stylish colors and designs but does not offer the levels of protection provided by headgear approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which sets safety standards for helmets. There have been several attempts in recent years to limit sales of novelty motorcycle helmets, but decisive action on the issue has been repeatedly delayed.

In 2007, the NHTSA hired an independent laboratory to evaluate seven different models of novelty helmets, and lab workers found that all were essentially worthless at protecting the skulls of riders in an accident.

“All analyses gave a 100-percent probability of brain injuries and skull fracture, indicating that the person wearing the helmet will sustain fatal head injuries,” the evaluation found. “Motorcycle riders who wear novelty helmets and believe that ‘something is better than nothing’ have a false sense of security regarding the protection afforded.”

Sales of novelty helmets are legal, as long as the headgear or packaging does not falsely claim that it meets federal safety standards. Only a dozen or so states do not require riders to wear helmets that meet NHTSA safety standards. Florida is one of the many states that have made it unlawful to sell helmets that do not meet NHTSA safety standards.

Numerous studies have shown that certified helmets save hundreds of lives every year and sharply reduce the number of devastating head injuries from motorcycle accidents. If you ride a motorcycle, please ensure that all your protective gear meets federal safety standards. Around 4,612 riders were killed in motorcycle accidents in the U.S. in 2011, and tens of thousands more sustained serious injuries. The right gear can make the difference between being fatally injured in an accident and surviving one.

If you or a close family member is injured in a motorcycle accident, choosing the right Orlando personal injury attorney can be just as important as choosing the right protective gear. If you would like to speak with an experienced attorney with a proven record of success helping injured riders, contact Mr. Cunningham today by calling 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587). Schedule your free consultation with him today to get an aggressive and experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer on your side!

James O. Cunningham

James O. CunninghamSince 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.

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