Do All Motorcycle Helmets Offer Protection?
by
Matthew Willens on Sep. 28, 2015
Accident & Injury Personal Injury Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury
Summary: Although wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is not compulsory in Chicago, it is strongly advised to always wear a helmet when riding.
Are motorcycle helmets completely safe against injuries in the event of a crash? Sadly, the answer is no. Motorcycle helmets do not offer complete protection against head and facial trauma. Recently, a study was conducted to establish the relationship between helmet type and rider protection. It was a retrospective study that looked at patients of traumatic brain injury, facial injuries, and facial fractures, and the type of helmet they used.
Type of Motorcycle Helmet Used
The study was conducted on 253 motorcyclists who suffered cranio-maxillofacial injuries. Of these, 156 patients were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, another 51 were wearing an open-faced helmet, and only 46 were wearing full-face helmets. The patients who did not wear a helmet had suffered more serious facial injuries compared to those who wore full-face helmets. The study showed that wearing an open-face helmet was practically of no use. The patients who wore open-face helmets suffer much greater traumatic brain injuries compared to those who wore full-face helmets. The study concluded that the open-face helmets did not provide complete protection against maxilla, facial bones, and brain injuries. Moreover, even full-face helmets did not completely eliminate the chances of injury.
Reduced Risk of Head Injury and Fatality
In another study it was found that motorcyclists are often seriously injured or killed in traffic accidents and head injuries are particularly common among motorcyclists. The study implied that the helmets reduce the rider’s vision and increase the risk of neck injuries. This particular study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of helmets in reducing neck and head injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists. The study was conducted on motorcyclists who were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
It was found that helmets reduced the risk of head injury and fatality in motorcyclists who were involved in a motorcycle accident. Furthermore, it was found that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent and risk of death by over 42 percent. However, both helmet wearers and non-wearers were at an equal risk of facial injuries. The study also showed that wearing a helmet cannot completely prevent neck injuries. The riders that had visor damage were at a higher risk of facial injuries compared to others who did not have a damaged visor.
Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney
While riding a motorcycle, wear the helmet properly in a way that the head and face are completely protected. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney from Willens Law Offices to pursue a claim. Call us at (312) 957-4166 for a case evaluation.