Does not wearing a helmet hurt my Indiana motorcycle accident claim?

Motorcycle Helmet and Gloves on a MotorcycleUnder Indiana’s motorcycle helmet law, only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet while riding. As an adult, you are free to choose whether you want to wear a helmet or not. However, if you suffer a serious head injury in a crash caused by another driver, you could be considered partially at fault for causing your injuries because you were not wearing a helmet. This could affect the amount of compensation you would be awarded by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Helmets Prevent Some Injuries—But Not All

Motorcycle accident injury claims present several legal challenges. Bikers are often portrayed as risk-takers and are made out to be the bad guy in every accident. Even if the driver of the car was clearly at fault and has been charged with a traffic offense, his or her insurance company will do all they can to pin at least some of the blame on the motorcycle rider. One tactic they will use is to lower the damages offered to a rider who was not wearing a helmet. Even though the rider was not breaking the law, the insurance adjuster will argue that he is partially responsible for his own injuries because he was not wearing a helmet.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Keller & Keller represent injured bikers and will fight for the compensation they deserve when another driver’s negligence caused the crash. If the most serious injuries are to areas that would not have been protected by a helmet anyway—such as the legs, hips, and torso—we will deny partial liability and fight for full compensation.

Talk to Keller & Keller About Your Indiana Motorcycle Accident

If you choose to wear a DOT-approved helmet when you cruise Indiana’s highways and bi-ways, we applaud your decision. However, we also support your right under the law to not wear a helmet. Either way, we represent motorcyclists who are injured by negligent drivers and will fight to get the maximum compensation possible. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash—or a loved one was killed—contact Keller & Keller and speak with our Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney today. Fill out the form on this page, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

James R. Keller
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