| Motorcycle accidents are a well-known leading cause | | | | or serious head injury are seriously reduced by |
| of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Together with auto | | | | wearing a helmet. A rider's failure to equip |
| accidents, they are the single largest cause of brain | | | | passengers, particularly passengers who are under 21, |
| injury in the United States. One out of every five | | | | with helmets may be considered negligent. And if the |
| motorcycle accidents results in head or neck injuries, | | | | helmet is below state and federal standards, poorly |
| which account for most motorcycle fatalities. And | | | | fitted, old or has been through a previous accident, |
| partly because drivers often don't see motorcyclists | | | | that helmet is not safe, may not be legal and will not |
| or yield them the right-of-way, motorcyclists are at | | | | prevent death, brain damage or another traumatic |
| higher risk of an accident than drivers. The National | | | | injury. Other Brain Injury Risks for Motorcyclists |
| Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated | | | | Even though proper equipment significantly cuts |
| that, per mile traveled in 2003, a motorcyclist was 32 | | | | down a motorcyclist's chance of a traumatic brain |
| times more likely to die in an accident than a | | | | injury, it is not foolproof. Riders must stay aware of |
| passenger in a car. | | | | other factors that could lead to a motorcycle |
| Motorcyclists, even those who wear helmets, are | | | | accident involving a traumatic brain injury. |
| most likely to sustain non-penetrative injuries to the | | | | Motorcyclists are advised to check their bikes and |
| front of the head, damaging parts of the brain | | | | equipment for problems before each ride; adjust the |
| responsible for speech and higher functions. Those | | | | suspension and tire pressure of the motorcycle when |
| without helmets may also be susceptible to a | | | | carrying a passenger; wear boots, gloves and other |
| penetrating brain injury, in which an object enters the | | | | protective gear; and adjust for changing road |
| head and skull, damaging the soft tissue of the brain | | | | conditions. |
| itself. Helmets Essential to Prevent Traumatic Brain | | | | The cost of an accident that causes traumatic brain |
| Injury | | | | injury can be severe. A traumatic brain injury causes |
| Study after study shows that the best way to | | | | brain damage that can range from a mild concussion |
| prevent a traumatic brain injury is to wear a helmet | | | | to severe, life-changing disabilities such as trouble |
| approved by the federal Department of | | | | communicating, personality changes, schizophrenia, or |
| Transportation. (Some also carry approval from the | | | | even a coma. Because the brain cannot heal itself the |
| Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization | | | | way other organs do, these are often lifelong |
| dedicated to testing the effectiveness of commercial | | | | problems that cost tens of thousands of dollars to |
| helmets.) In January of 2006, only four states in the | | | | treat. They also place a severe emotional and |
| U.S: Colorado, Illinois, New Hampshire and Iowa- had | | | | financial burden on the injured person's family |
| no law at all requiring motorcyclists to use helmets. | | | | members. If you or someone you know is the victim |
| Twenty-six others had limited helmet laws, usually | | | | of a motorcycle accident causing traumatic brain |
| ones that require helmets for riders who are under | | | | injury, it is essential to seek out an expert in |
| 18 or 21. | | | | accidents and TBI who can help reconstruct the |
| But even in states without strict helmet laws, riders | | | | accident and secure compensation. |
| are still strongly advised that their chances of death | | | | |