Wearing a Helmet can Save your Life in a Bicycle or Motorcycle Accident

In Florida, motorcyclists over the age of 21 are not required to wear helmets. Bicyclists over the age of 16 are not required to wear helmets, either. But choosing to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle or bicycle can potentially save a rider’s life by cushioning his or her skull and brain from impact in an accident.

When a bicyclist or motorcyclist falls from his or her vehicle and suffers an impact between the ground and his or her head, the helmet’s foam interior absorbs the shock of impact. Rather than the individual’s head being crushed, the foam is crushed, reducing his or her chance of suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries that have physical, behavioral, and cognitive effects on victims. Often, they are known as “invisible injuries” because their symptoms are not immediately apparent.

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:

• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Blurred vision;
• Mental confusion;
• Amnesia; and
• Sensitivity to light and sound.

Long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury include:

• Paralysis;
• Altered senses;
• Reduced cognition and intellectual difficulties;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Behavioral changes; and
• An increased risk of suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Choosing the Right Helmet to Protect your Head and Brain

A helmet is most effective when it fits your head properly. It should fit snugly, but not so tight that you feel pressure against your cheeks or brow. A helmet should fully cover the top and back of your head and it should not slide forward or backward when you move your head. Do not wear your helmet pushed back on your head like a hat – it is not a hat, it is a piece of protective equipment that can potentially save your life.

If you are involved in an accident and your helmet collides with the ground, replace your helmet. Once the foam inside a helmet is crushed, it is permanently damaged. Your helmet will not be as effective in its second accident.

After an Injury, Draper Law Office can Help you Pursue Compensation for your Damages

If you are injured in an accident, you could potentially be entitled to recover compensation for the damages you suffer as a result of the accident. After you receive medical attention for the injury you sustained in a motorcycle or bicycle accident, contact our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Draper Law Office to set up your initial consultation in one of our two convenient office locations: Kissimmee, and Orlando. Contact us online or by calling 866-767-4711 today to get started with us.