California has one of the strictest motorcycle laws in the nation requiring anyone riding a motorcycle to have a helmet including the passenger. Nineteen other states require both rider and passenger to have a helmet, but in California, the law requires that the helmet be strapped and snug and comply with DOT safety standards.
A violation can be as low as $10 and a showing of “proof of correction” meaning you show the court you own a helmet. However, subsequent violations can cost a fine of $250 and a year’s probation.
What if I was Injured while Not Wearing a Helmet?
If you ride, its smart to wear a helmet. But if you don’t and are injured due to the other driver’s negligence, then you are probably still entitled to compensation.There are a lot of variables here and no two cases are the same, so we would need to know exactly what happened.
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How Dangerous is Motorcycle Riding?
Motorcycle riding is especially dangerous. According to many federal studies, a motorcycle rider involved in a crash is six times more likely to be killed. Another way to look at this is that in 2017, there were 40,000 people who died in auto accidents, and of those, 5,000 were motorcycle riders and passengers which makes the percentage of motorcycle deaths at 12.5 percent.
However, motorcycle riders make up only three percent of vehicle operators. When looking at the fatality rate, which is the number of deaths per 100,000 miles traveled, a passenger vehicle has a rate of 1.1 in 2017, and a motorcycle rider has a rate of 5.6.
Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You will want to talk to an attorney before speaking to the insurance adjuster so you can be sure to get the highest compensation allowed by the law. Speak to the attorneys at Law Offices of Steers and Associates today at (800) 824-5416.
A recent review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was in an accident where my car was totaled. At first, I thought I could handle things by myself but then my pain began to get much worse. I hired Allen based on the recommendation of a friend and he did not disappoint. He was very fast in answering my calls and emails. He also got me the maximum settlement from the other person’s insurance and then got me compensation from my insurance too. – James