Hawaii state law does not require anyone over age 17 to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. Nationwide, the issue of helmet use has always been a point of controversy. Nevertheless, research has confirmed that wearing a helmet helps prevent head injuries and reduce fatalities in accidents. Motorcycle accident attorneys in Honolulu represent clients who suffered serious physical harm when not wearing this protective gear.
Behavior Comparisons
Insurance companies may dispute claims if the rider was not using a helmet even if the law doesn’t require it. They also may dispute claims in which riders don’t take other precautions, such as wearing long pants and shoes instead of sandals. The adjusters may compare this behavior to negligent actions like traveling faster than the speed limit. They may compare this behavior to not wearing a safety belt in a car. It can be hard for the insurer to establish negligence, however, when no regulations address the issue.
Why People Don’t Wear Helmets
Many people wonder why anyone would take the risk of riding on a motorcycle without a helmet. For some men and women, it’s the sense of freedom. They might wear a helmet when on the highway but not bother when they are meandering slowly on country back roads or around town. Nevertheless, collisions can occur in those settings too. For example, serious injuries can happen when a motorcycle hits a deer that jumps into the road.
Some men and women actually believe that wearing a helmet is more dangerous than not wearing one. They advocate strongly for the rights of bikers not to use them; yet, many studies find that states with strict helmet laws have significantly fewer serious head injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle collisions. This is one point an insurance company may use when disputing a claim. Motorcycle accident attorneys in Honolulu can help.
No-Fault State
Lawyers with a firm such as Yoshida & Associates negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to make sure their clients receive the compensation they deserve. Since Hawaii is a no-fault state, the person’s own insurance company is responsible for paying for medical bills and other expenses. Need more information? Get started at Autoaccidentattorneyhonolulu.com.
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