| During the year of 2003, motorcyclists were 32 times | | | | injury. A rider's failure to equip passengers, particularly |
| more likely than a passenger in a car to die in an auto | | | | passengers who are under 21, with helmets may be |
| accident, according to The National Highway Traffic | | | | considered negligent. Helmets must always meet |
| Safety Administration. Motocycle and auto accidents | | | | requirements and standards of state and federal |
| are together, a main cause in traumatic brain injury in | | | | governments or the risk of traumatic brain injury is |
| America. Of the motorcycle accidents that occur, | | | | still possible. |
| almost one out of five lead to brain and spine/neck | | | | Other Brain Injury Risks for Motorcyclists |
| injuries. Motorcyclists often are blind-sided on roads | | | | Even though proper equipment significantly cuts |
| because other vehicle drivers simply do not see them | | | | down a motorcyclist's chance of a traumatic brain |
| or do not stop for a motorcyclist. | | | | injury, it is not foolproof. Motorcyclists must always |
| Helmets are not always full-proof and traumatic brain | | | | understand the risks involved in an accident and the |
| injuries can still occur, although not penetrating the | | | | consequences of traumatic brain injury. Motorcyclists |
| brain, parts affecting speech can be injured. Those | | | | are advised to check their bikes and equipment for |
| without helmets may also be susceptible to a | | | | problems before each ride; adjust the suspension and |
| penetrating brain injury, in which an object enters the | | | | tire pressure of the motorcycle when carrying a |
| head and skull, damaging the soft tissue of the brain | | | | passenger; wear boots, gloves and other protective |
| itself. | | | | gear; and be prepared for environmental or road |
| Helmets Essential to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury | | | | changes. |
| Study after study shows that the best way to | | | | The cost of an accident that causes traumatic brain |
| prevent a traumatic brain injury is to wear a helmet | | | | injury can be severe. A traumatic brain injury causes |
| approved by the federal Department of | | | | brain damage that can range from a mild concussion |
| Transportation. (Some also carry approval from the | | | | to severe, life-changing disabilities such as trouble |
| Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization | | | | communicating, personality changes, schizophrenia or |
| dedicated to testing the effectiveness of commercial | | | | even a coma. Because the brain cannot heal itself the |
| helmets.) In January of 2006, only four states in the | | | | way other organs do, these are often lifelong |
| U.S. Colorado, Illinois, New Hampshire and Iowa | | | | problems that cost tens of thousands of dollars to |
| had no law at all requiring motorcyclists to use | | | | treat. TBI can result in extreme monetary losses as |
| helmets. Twenty-six others had limited helmet laws, | | | | well as mental stress on a victim's family and friends. |
| usually ones that require helmets for riders who are | | | | If you or someone you know is the victim of a |
| under 18 or 21. | | | | motorcycle accident causing traumatic brain injury, it |
| Helmets can reduce the risk of TBI but not all | | | | is essential to seek out an expert in accidents and |
| helmets are of the proper requirements and not all | | | | TBI who can help reconstruct the accident and |
| fully protect a motorcycle rider or passenger from | | | | secure compensation. |