Motorcycle Helmet Requirements in St. Louis County
Motorcycle riding enthusiasts love the adrenaline rush and sense of freedom that comes with the open road. But with the lack of protection afforded to motorcycles, riders are required to take certain precautions to ensure their own safety in case of an accident. One of the essential precautions is wearing a helmet. In this article, we’ll take a look at the motorcycle helmet requirements in St. Louis County, Missouri, and how not wearing a helmet could impact injury claims.
Missouri Law and Helmet Requirements (Missouri Helmet Law)
In St Louis County, Missouri, riders are no longer required to wear helmets while on their motorbikes. However, all motorcycle helmets must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards and must have a DOT sticker somewhere inside the helmet if they choose to wear one. It’s worth noting that even if a helmet is sold in the United States but isn’t approved by DOT, it must have a sticker to ride in Missouri. There are no exceptions where an individual is not permitted to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
Age and Engine Size
Although there is no legal requirement for different types of helmets based upon the size of the motorbike’s engine, the rider should consider wearing helmets with more protection when riding a motorcycle with a larger engine. For example, it’s recommended that they wear helmets with a face guard and facemask when riding a motorcycle that goes at higher rates of speeds. It’s suggested that they wear this type of helmet on all types of motorcycles, but especially on motorcycles with more power.
Impact on Injury Claims
Wearing a helmet is a critical component of every motorcyclist’s ride. In most motorcycle accidents, victims sustain head injuries, and DOT approved helmets help prevent many of the head and brain injuries associated with motorcycle crashes. If a person suffers injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident and they were found not to be wearing a helmet, they may be found contributorily negligent. This means that the plaintiff contributed to their injuries, and therefore, their damages are reduced proportionate to their own negligence.
Schedule a Consultation to Learn More
In St. Louis County, Missouri, motorcycle helmets are mandatory. Failure to wear one could not only have negative repercussions on an injury claim, but the injuries a victim could sustain could be severe and, in some cases, fatal. To learn more about the motorcycle helmet requirements in St. Louis County and Missouri law, it’s best to consult an attorney. A lawyer could inform you of the legal responsibility belonging to motorcycle riders and how failing to adhere to such responsibilities could have unwanted consequences. Call today to schedule a consultation with one of our motorcycle injury attorneys.