Are motorcyclists required to wear helmets in Florida?

Under Florida law, motorcycle riders are required to wear protective headgear (i.e. a helmet) that complies with the Federal Motorcycle Safety Standard 218.¹ In addition, the law also requires that a rider wear an eye-protective device over his or her eyes. If an individual is over the age of 21 and is covered by an insurance policy that provides “at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash,” they are then permitted to ride their motorcycle without protective headgear.

Benefits of Wearing a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Although the law does allow riders to operate a motorcycle without a helmet so as long as they meet the age requirement and are properly insured, there are many benefits to wearing a helmet, some of which include:

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 25,000 lives have been saved as a result of wearing motorcycle helmets since 2002.

“Motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle operators and 41% effective for motorcycle passengers.”

Helmets significantly reduce the chances of a motorcyclist sustaining a serious head injury.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 57% of the motorcycle riders who suffered fatal injuries in 2017 were not wearing helmets.

What if a motorcyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet and they were involved in an accident?

If a motorcyclist was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Fort Walton Beach that was caused by the driver of a passenger vehicle or even a commercial truck driver and they weren’t wearing a helmet, this could impact how much they are entitled to recover. Although an insurance company may be liable for covering a motorcycle accident victim’s medical care, lost wages, etc., the adjuster could attempt to reduce the value of the claim alleging that the injuries wouldn’t have been so severe had the rider been wearing a helmet.

What is the average payout for a motorcycle accident claim?

The amount a motorcycle accident victim could receive depends on the types of injuries they suffered, how serious they are, and how the accident has impacted their life and ability to earn an income. Because these factors vary by case, the best way to tell what a motorcycle accident victim should receive is by having a Fort Walton Beach, FL motorcycle accident attorney evaluate their case.

If an individual or a loved one of theirs was recently involved in an accident involving a motorcycle in Fort Walton Beach and they would like to have their case valued, they can contact Browning Law Firm to speak with a FL motorcycle accident lawyer. Browning Law Firm can be reached 24/7 and offers free consultations to those whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Browning Law Firm can be reached at:

418 Racetrack Rd. NE, Ste B

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Phone: 850-344-1736

Website: www.browninglawfirm.com

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