Blog Post

Arizona Helmet Laws

To legally ride a motorcycle, the rider must pass both a written test and a skills test. A vision examination and licensing fee are also required to procure a motorcycle endorsement allowing a person to legally operate a motor-driven cycle, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. After you have your valid license to get on the road, however, there are other things to consider, such as what safety gear you will wear when riding. Safety gear is incredibly important because motorcycle drivers and passengers do not have much protection between themselves and the road or vehicles around them. Unlike the people in cars and trucks, who have metal encasements around them, motorcyclists are open and exposed to the elements and their surroundings. Each state in the United States has its own laws regarding safety gear for motorcyclists, and helmets are a commonly regulated piece of safety gear. To learn more about Arizona helmet laws or how to obtain compensation after a crash, consider contacting the Arizona personal injury attorney Chuck Franklin directly at Chuck Franklin Law by calling 480-545-0700 to schedule a consultation.

Who Must Wear a Helmet on a Motorcycle in Arizona?

When comparing each state’s motorcycle helmet requirements, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that some states—including New Hampshire, Iowa, and Illinois—have the most lenient helmet laws because they do not have any at all. By contrast, several states—including Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana—have some of the strictest laws requiring all riders to wear a helmet.

Arizona helmet laws fall somewhere between those extremes. In Arizona, riders should abide by the following guidelines:

• Riders 17 years of age and younger require a helmet while riding a motorcycle
• All motorcycle riders must wear eye protection if the motorcycle does not have a shield

Wearing a Helmet Can Save Lives

In 2020, 69 percent of riders wore a helmet, down from 71 percent in 2019. In 2019, as many as 5,014 riders lost their lives in deadly motorcycle crashes. That same year, 84,000 people sustained injuries. In 2016, there were 5,337 deaths resulting from motorcycle crashes, and 40 percent of the individuals who lost their lives in those fatal events were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Many of these lives may have been saved if a helmet had been used.

Wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle reduces the risk of major head injuries by 69 percent. The risk of death on a motorcycle when a rider is wearing a helmet is cut by 37 percent. Arizona’s laws allow adult motorcycle drivers to opt out of wearing a helmet. However, a motorcycle rider is 29 times more likely to die if he or she is involved in an accident versus an occupant in a car or truck. Given how deadly accidents can be for motorcyclists, there is good reason for riders to think about opting to use a helmet because doing so may save their life.

Other Types of Safety Gear for Motorcyclists

Wearing a motorcycle helmet is a highly debated subject within the motorcycle enthusiast community. There are those who will wear their helmets for safety and those who are adamant about riding free without being encumbered by head gear. The data, however, clearly shows that a helmet is the most important piece of protective equipment that a rider can utilize to reduce the chances of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

While helmets are extremely important to minimizing a rider’s chances of being catastrophically harmed in a crash, there are other types of safety gear that can also improve safety.

Gloves

Gloves can serve multiple purposes. First, they may help the rider’s grip and add an element of additional comfort and support to the hand while driving. Also, should a crash happen, gloves offer a protective layer covering the rider’s hands and wrists.

Jacket

When choosing a motorcycle jacket, pick a product that has durable material like leather. A jacket protects the abdomen, chest, and arms from debris that may fly off the road while travelling. A high-quality jacket can also give an additional layer of protection to the body and skin if the rider is thrown from the bike and slides across the roadway, preventing what is known as road rash. When possible, jackets that have reflective components or vibrant colors give riders more visibility to other drivers, which can aid in accident prevention.

Boots

A solid and sturdy pair of boots is designed to protect the feet and ankles while riding and in the event of an accident. Boots offer the driver the firmest footing.

Pants

Like a motorcycle jacket, pants should be made of solid materials, such as leather. A good pair of motorcycle pants will also be an essential component in protecting the legs from road rash if the person is thrown across a roadway.

Obtaining Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

After receiving medical treatment for injuries caused by an accident, many victims speak with an attorney, such as an Arizona motorcycle accident lawyer at Chuck Franklin Law, who knows how to navigate the complicated personal injury claim process. A motorcycle accident claim must be properly evaluated and valued for all damages a victim suffered, including those in the present and in the future. A claim can include several different types of economic and non-economic damages. In rare situations, punitive damages may also be applied. Damages can include the following:

• Economic damages — Tangible costs like medical expenses, prescription medications, and property damages
• Non-economic damages — Subjective costs for damages like pain and suffering
• Punitive damages — Additional financial compensation to punish a negligent party who caused the accident when that party’s behavior was particularly egregious

Speak with an Arizona Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Filing a personal injury claim can be a difficult task for accident victims who are not familiar with the system, process, or laws, including Arizona helmet laws. This is particularly true when a victim has the added stress of healing from injuries. To learn more about how to obtain compensation for damages suffered after a motorcycle accident, consider contacting Chuck Franklin directly at Chuck Franklin Law today by calling (480) 545-0700 to schedule a consultation.