I wrote last year about the Michigan Legislature’s bold move to help improve the chances of people waiting to receive an organ transplant (see article here). As I discussed in that article, motorcycle riders are among the best organ donors, because they tend to be young and otherwise healthy.  A recent insurance industry study found that after only one year, the push to increase organ donation may be paying off. A recent study reported by the Detroit News shows that the average motorcycle claim since the motorcycle helmet law was rescinded increased from $5,410 to $7,257. After adjusting for confounders and data from surrounding states, the increase was 22 percent. An increase in claims of course does not translate to an increase in the number of donor organs. Perhaps we need another law asking that motorcycle riders also indicate their organ donor status. . . This entry was posted in The Truth About Health Care, Un-Sequitur and tagged health care reform, healthcare funding, medical blog, medical humor, organ transplant, physician blog.

Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Mich. lawmaker who pushed to repeal helmet rule dies in motorcycle crashLANSING — A Republican state lawmaker from northern Michigan was killed late Monday afternoon when a truck pulled out in front of his motorcycle, the Michigan State Police said in a news release Tuesday.Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle, was wearing a helmet at the time of the 5:30 p.m. crash, the MSP said.best motorcycle under 700ccThe lawmaker was southbound on M-33 in Montmorency County when "a pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old woman from Fairview turned left, directly into his lane of traffic," the MSP said in a news release. motorbikes for sale high wycombe

"His motorcycle struck the pickup truck broadside."The accident happened on M-33 in northern Michigan when Pettalia was on his way to Lansing for Tuesday's session of the House of Representatives. The House convened Tuesday, but officials said it would not be voting on pending bills out of respect for Pettalia's sudden passing.Tributes continued to pour in Tuesday for the 61-year-old lawmaker who chaired the House Transportation Committee and was completing his third and final two-year term in the state House. safest motorcycle jacket materialLawmakers and others sent condolences to his family.motorcycle warehouse queenslandDETROIT FREE PRESSU-M study: Fatalities double for motorcyclists without helmetsRep. sony action cam motorcycle helmet mount

Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, said on Facebook that Pettalia was "a great legislator and even better person.""It didn't matter how heated things got or how long we were there, Pete had a way of always keeping the mood light and remaining positive," Leonard said.Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, said on Facebook that "Pete was a truly great public servant." Though "we didn't always agree ... he was honest and sincere in all he did" and "he had a great sense of humor that could lighten many tough situations.motorcycle license bc scooterPettalia is survived by his wife, Karen, and two adult children.honda cbr 150 price in bdOne of Pettalia's daughters, Anna, expressed gratitude on her father's Facebook page for the outpourings of sympathy."This is a very difficult time and we are still in shock and a little lost," she said.

"He was a wonderful husband, father, papa (grandfather) and we always knew he loved us, no matter how difficult the time."Pettalia "loved Northern Michigan and loved working for you to make this a great place for all of us," she said.Though Pettalia wore a helmet, the lawmaker sponsored a bill in 2011 to abolish Michigan's requirement that all motorcycle riders wear helmets. His bill, House Bill 4608 of 2011, was not the version that ultimately became state law in 2012.Staff writer Kathleen Gray contributed.Follow Paul Egan on Twitter @paulegan4.Your tax deductible contribution will help FairWarning to deliver strong investigative journalism in the public interest.Motorcycle Helmets Are Now Optional In Michigan The proposed motorcycle helmet law, Senate Bill 291, is now law.  Governor Rick Snyder announced this decision on April 13th, 2012. The new law lessens helmet restrictions. allowing motorcycle operators to ride without a helmet provided they meet the following criteria:

21 years of age or older, AND Have at least $20,000 of first-party medical benefits insurance coverage, AND Either have had a motorcycle endorsement for more than two years OR earn a motorcycle endorsement by passing an accredited or certified motorcycle safety course. A passenger on a motorcycle may ride helmetless under the new law if: The passenger is at least 21 years of age, AND Covered for at least $20,000 of first-party medical insurance benefits (either by the operator’s cycle insurance or their own). So, if you were to ride with a passenger, you may need an additional $20,000 of this medical coverage in addition to the $20,000 you require as the operator. Please do not hesitate to call The Motorcyle Lawyer sm at 1-877-BIKER-LAW with any questions you have regarding Michigan motorcycle laws. Our phone lines are operative 24/7. I will speak with you personally about your questions. READ MORE BELOW ON THE NEW MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW!

From the Desk of The Motorcycle Lawyer sm: How will the new law impact a civil negligence case of an motorcyclist not wearing a helmet? I think the defense attorney will attempt to argue that not wearing a helmet was unreasonable and that it was a cause of some injury or severity of injury to the motorcyclist.  This is called comparative negligence.  If the jury agrees, the jury would assess a percent of negligence against the motorcyclist and that percentage would be subtracted from the dollar amount awarded by the jury.  If the jury assesses over 50% negligence to the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist will gets no money damages for his or her injuries. Who does not have to wear a helmet?: The law lessens helmet restrictions allowing motorcycle operators to ride without a helmet provided they are 21 years of age or older, have at least $20,000 of first-party medical benefits insurance coverage, and either have had a motorcycle endorsement for more than two years OR earn a motorcycle endorsement by passing an accredited or certified motorcycle safety course.

A passenger on a motorcycle may ride helmetless under the proposed law if the passenger is at least 21 years of age and is also covered for at least $20,000 of first-party medical insurance benefits (either by the operator’s cycle insurance or their own).  So, if you were to ride with a passenger, you may need an additional $20,000 of this medical coverage in addition to the $20,000 you require as the operator. What do you think of the new helmet law? Personally, I’m happy we now have the freedom to make a choice after all this is America.  However, because of our comparative negligence law, unhelmeted motorcyclists are perhaps more likely to lose their injury cases.  The reason is if they are found to be more than 50% negligent for causing the injury, they are not entitled to any compensation for his or her injury. Will you wear a helmet when you ride? I have a Harley Davidson Fat Boy, a vintage Triumph and a Moto Guzzi Café Racer and whenever I ride any of them, I will continue to wear a helmet.

How Did This Law Come to Fruition? Proponents of the new law argued that being able to choose whether or not to wear a helmet is a freedom. They also point out that Michigan’s tourism industry is presently negatively impacted because riders from our neighboring states do not have to wear a helmet (Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, & Wisconsin) and, therefore, avoid Michigan destinations. Opponents of the new law argued that statistics report greater head injuries to helmetless riders. These injuries result in an increase in medical costs (to the government and to insurance companies), and a resulting increase in our no-fault insurance rates. Passing a similar law was attempted twice during Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s tenure, but was vetoed on both of the attempts. The present law was sponsored by State Senator Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township.  Governor Snyder stated in a news release that, “While many motorcyclists will continue to wear helmets, those who choose not to deserve the latitude to make their own informed judgments.”