Helmet Laws Reduce Public Payout Helmet laws significantly reduce the strain on public resources. Unhelmeted riders cost more to treat at the hospital, spend a longer time in rehabilitation, and are more likely to require some form of public assistance to for pay medical bills and rehabilitation. In 1991, prior to enacting its helmet law, California's state medical insurance program paid $40 million for the treatment of motorcycle-related head injuries. That figure dropped to $24 million after enactment of a universal helmet law. �It costs nothing to ride without a helmet � as long as there is no crash.� It is true that wearing a motorcycle helmet will not prevent a crash. But when a crash happens, the freedom to ride unhelmeted is paid for in different ways, by different sources. The motorcyclist pays and the public pays through taxes, insurance rates, and health care costs. What is the price? Hospitalization and related medical expenses are higher for unhelmeted riders because of brain injuries.

Here's what the data tell us: So who does pay the price? A large number of studies have focused on this issue and, although the percentages vary, one central point remains clear: whether as taxpayers or insurance customers or medical consumers, we all pay. �We may not be able to eliminate all the risk from motorcycling, but helmet laws greatly reduce the most expensive injuries�head injuries. Reducing these costs is good for the consumer and it is good for business, too.�motorcycle helmet hi vis decals �Tim Hoyt, Vice President, Safetymotorcycle shops evansville indianaMotorcyclists pay very high insurance premiums, but these premiums don't cover the complete costs of long-term rehabilitation. motorcycle tires mansfield ohio

Increased payouts by an insurance company eventually translate into increased insurance rates for the public, so everyone winds up paying. The most recent statistics show that private insurance pays for approximately 66 percent of the costs of inpatient care for motorcycle crash victims. Another 22 percent is paid by public funds and 12 percent is categorized as another source (usually self-payment).37 An unhelmeted rider is more likely to be an uninsured rider. Private insurance cannot help if the rider is not insured. schott motorcycle leather jacketsA study of motorcycle crash victims at one hospital found that 46 percent were uninsured.38 Taxpayers could be picking up a large portion of the medical costs for unhelmeted victims.motorcycle accessories fairbanks ak Insurance companies have the actuarial tables that tell them the high cost of protecting motorcyclists. buy motorcycle helmets gta 5

That's why the insurance industry has taken a strong position in favor of motorcycle helmet laws. The industry recognizes that helmet laws reduce the most expensive injuries related to motorcycling -- head injuries. �On behalf of the taxpayers I represent, I must ask: Is it worth spending these millions of dollars to pay for the wind in the hair of motorcyclists? My answer is No.� Life and Economic savings potential. Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes have a huge economic impact. harley davidson 883 for sale indiaMedical costs, lost productivity, vocational rehabilitation, insurance administration, law enforcement and emergency services, legal services, and workplace distribution (retraining someone to assume duties at work) are among the factors that are impacted by these injuries. Since states with universal helmet laws have obtained nearly 100 percent helmet use rates, a significant increase in helmet use is attainable when these laws are passed.

If the states above were to enact helmet laws covering all riders, these laws could prevent hundreds of injuries and deaths and could achieve a significant savings in economic costs. Potential Savings With 100 Percent Helmet Use For States Without A 13 Year Total (1984-1996)39Currently, Illinois is one of the remaining few states that has yet to implement a motorcycle helmet law. For years, the lack of an Illinois motorcycle helmet law has been a point of contention amongst liberty-minded folks and motorcycle safety advocacy organizations in the state.A recent Fox News article tracked the changes and developments of motorcycle helmet laws in the Midwest. Michigan is an example of one state that has abolished motorcycle helmet laws and that has seen a drastic increase in health-care costs associated with injured riders as a result. For over 40 years, Michigan required that riders wear a helmet. Before the law was amended, the average claim for injured riders was about $5,410.

After the amended law went into force, the average claim for injured riders rose to about $7,257. It is clear that insurance companies stand to benefit from the lack of motorcycle helmet injury laws in states like Michigan and Illinois.At one point, the Illinois legislature adopted a motorcycle helmet law. This type of law was adopted in 1968. The law was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court as an “unconstitutional abuse of police power” in the case of People v. Fries. The issue was again raised in 2009 with the Illinois Senate. Motorcyclists would have been required to wear helmets with chain straps under this law, but the law was ultimately rejected and did not pass. Today, Illinois continues to remain without a motorcycle helmet law in force.Research studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that motorcycle helmet laws have a powerful impact on prevention of injures for riders on the road. The CDC has found that states with helmet laws have a usage rate that is almost at 100 percent.

Motorcycle drivers are at a decreased risk of suffering from head injuries when they use helmets.The CDC has found that states with motorcycle helmet laws have a tendency to enjoy greater healthcare savings as a result of these laws. California was able to save over $394 million in healthcare costs due to its universal motorcycle helmet law that applies to all riders on the road. New Mexico has a partial motorcycle helmet law, and it enjoyed a savings of just $2.6 million in healthcare costs. States that have universal motorcycle helmet laws also have a much lower rate for the deaths of drivers involved in accidents. Only 12 percent of motorcycle operators who died in crashes were not wearing helmet at the time of the accident in states with these laws. In states that do not have universal helmet laws, over 64 percent of drivers involved in crashes died.There are 19 states that currently have a universal helmet law. This means that all motorcycle drivers on the road must wear a helmet regardless of their age.

The states that do not currently have motorcycle helmet laws include Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire. The riders in these states who do not want these laws are often liberty-minded and argue that it should be a free choice to wear a helmet or refrain from wearing one. These riders advocate for “freedom from helmet laws.”Those who are on the opposite side of the debate cite the increased healthcare costs, increased fatality rates and increased injury rates as the need for helmet laws. Advocates for highway safety believe that motorcycle helmet laws contribute to reduced fatality rates on the roads and also help prevent serious head injuries in victims involved in motorcycle accidents.If you were injured as a result of involvement in a motorcycle accident, then you may be eligible to receive damages in your case. Even if you were not wearing a helmet, this does not preclude you from being able to receive damages. An experienced Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer is ready to take a look at your case and help you understand the legal remedies available to you.