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Before you ride a motorcycle in Connecticut, it is important to understand all of the state laws that apply to you. This includes Connecticut’s law on wearing a motorcycle helmet. While not all motorcycle riders are legally required to wear helmets, doing so can offer significant protection physically and legally.
Connecticut does not have a universal helmet law that requires all motorcyclists to wear head protection on rides. Instead, it has a conditional helmet law that only applies to certain types of riders. For motorcyclists who are 18 years of age or older and have full motorcycle licenses, wearing a helmet is optional but recommended.
If you ride a motorcycle (or moped) in Connecticut, you must wear an approved helmet if either of the following applies to you:
If you are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Connecticut, the helmet must fit you correctly and be securely fastened while riding. It must also meet the federal safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. The failure to wear a helmet as a required party could result in a fine or even jail time, if you are a repeat offender.
Even if you legally have the freedom not to wear a helmet as a motorcycle rider or passenger in Connecticut, you should always choose to do so. A helmet could be the only thing standing between you and a serious or fatal traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident. A safety-tested and properly fitting helmet is the most effective protection available.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle helmets are up to 69 percent effective in preventing motorcycle rider brain injuries and 42 percent effective in preventing fatalities in traffic accidents. The most seasoned motorcycle rider cannot always prevent an accident. Wearing a helmet is recommended for your own safety.
Since Connecticut law does not always require motorcyclists to wear helmets, the failure to wear one generally will not affect a motorcycle accident injury claim. Typically, an insurance company cannot use your failure to wear a motorcycle helmet against you if you were not legally required to wear one. However, an insurance company may still try to put some of the blame on you.
Connecticut’s comparative negligence law (General Statutes § 52-572h) allows for the reduction of a victim’s financial damages if he or she is allocated a percentage of fault for the injury. If an insurance company proves that you legally should have worn a helmet and that your injuries likely would have been prevented, this could reduce the value of your settlement.
If you get involved in a motorcycle accident, with or without a helmet, it is important to protect your legal rights by hiring a skilled New Haven motorcycle accident attorney to represent you. A lawyer will advocate for your rights during negotiations with an insurance provider. To discuss a specific motorcycle accident case with an attorney in New Haven, request a free consultation at Jacobs & Jacobs.