West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer-Susan Ramsey-advocates motorcycle helmet safety!

West Palm Beach personal injury attorney-S. Ramsey-urges biker helmet use.

/West Palm Beach Injury Lawyers Gary Roberts & Associates, P.A./Susan B. Ramsey Motorcycle Accident Attorney/06/09/2009

Helmet requirements for motorcycle enthusiasts may be an idea of the past for some states in the United States. Like Florida, who repealed their motorcycle helmet law in 2000, many states are following the "no helmet required" trend.  

States like Louisiana are revamping their motorcycle helmet laws to mirror Florida's motorcycle helmet law. Florida's law states, if you choose not to wear a helmet, and are at least 21-years-old, motorcycle riders are required to hold medical insurance. Louisiana is requiring motorcycle riders must carry proof of $100,00 worth of "economic only" uninsured motorists insurance and health insurance on them while operating a motorcycle. This "economic-only" clause in Louisiana's new motorcycle helmet law simply means a rider can sue for only real losses if involved in a collision with another motor vehicle. Louisiana's revamped helmet legislation will become law if the Senate approves the bill, which is already endorsed by almost two-thirds of the House, as reported by The News Star.

Michigan is among the states that have decided to revamp their motorcycle helmet laws. The House bills 4028, 4747, and 4907 will make wearing a helmet while operating a motorcycle optional. AAA Michigan (www.AAA.com), is opposing the new legislation, claiming it will add an extra $129 million to the economic costs to Michigan citizens due to injuries, and increased medical costs based on experiences of other states, much like Florida, where similar laws have been enacted. AAA, an authority in motor vehicle safety, is urging Michigan legislators to oppose new motorcycle helmet legislation and maintain the original helmet laws, while encouraging Michigan citizens to contact their local lawmakers, as reported by the PR Newswire.

While the debate continues whether or not to require helmets while operating a motorcycle, one thing is clear, accidents do happen. A 2007 study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) http://nhtsa.gov/ shows, 5,154 motorcyclists were killed, which is a 7 percent increase from 2006 which showed 4,784 motorcyclists were killed on roadways. NHTSA shows in Florida, 575 fatalities in the two years following the law change (2001-2002) were 71 percent greater than the 337 fatalities that occurred in 1998-1999, these figures are compared to an increase of 37 percent for the nation as a whole (4,560 to 6,227).

Media Contact: Palm Beach Personal Injury lawyer Susan B. Ramsey a motorcycle accident claim attorney. Motor Vehicle Collision Law Firm of Gary Roberts & Associates. 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., 7th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 www.palmbeachtrialattorneys.net

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