In 1989, Nebraska passed a law requiring all individuals, regardless of age, to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Since that time, some residents across the state have taken issue with the law, and have worked continuously to have it repealed or revised. With roughly one-third of the state legislature being new this year, they have gone back to work in trying to convince lawmakers to pass a new motorcycle helmet bill.
The proposed bill would do the following:
- Let riders 21 or older wear eye protection instead of full helmets.
- Prohibit children 6 years of age or younger from being passengers on motorcycles.
Advocates behind the proposed legislation believe changing the state’s helmet law would provide riders with more freedom to make their own choices, as well as boost tourism from riders in surrounding states where there are no helmet laws or where helmets are not required for riders over 18. Some say helmets can limit a rider’s ability to hear and use their peripheral vision. Legislators will consider the bill and are expected to advance it to a floor vote later this year, where it has been stopped in the past.
Motorcycle Accidents & Victims
Whether you are wearing a helmet or not, you face greater risks of getting hurt when you are on a motorcycle as compared to being in a passenger car. This is due not only to a lack of protection, but also because motorists commonly do not see motorcyclists when sharing the roads with them. This can lead to serious collisions that can have a devastating impact on riders and their families.
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), close to 5,000 people died and more than 88,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2015. While helmets can and often do protect riders from suffering fatal injuries and serious injuries that can have long-term repercussions, the fact remains that motorcyclists commonly suffer some of the most serious injuries when they are involved in traffic accidents, helmeted or not. This is especially true in accidents where motorcyclists are struck by passenger vehicles or commercial trucks.
At Burnett Legal Group, we have helped numerous injured victims after they were hurt in preventable motorcycle accidents. Because injured riders typically suffer serious injuries – including broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries – their medical needs, as well as their financial and emotional damages, can be very extensive. This is why we make it a point to leverage our decades of personal injury experience when fighting for the full and fair amount of compensation they deserve.
Our award-winning Omaha personal injury attorneys are available to help victims of motorcycle accidents, as well as families who have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, when they need it the most. During these difficult times, you can trust in our legal team to guide you through the personal injury claim process, ensure you have the medical treatment you need, and work aggressively toward holding the at-fault party in your crash liable for your damages, which can include medical bills, future medical needs, lost income, lost earning ability, pain and suffering, and mental anguish, among other damages.
Trust in a firm that is passionate about protecting the rights and futures of clients and that has recovered millions of dollars in compensation on their behalves. Learn more about how we can help you during a free case evaluation. Contact Burnett Legal Group today to speak with a lawyer at (402) 810-8611 or contact us online.