Colorado DOT Helmet Compliance

Riding a motorcycle can be a very liberating experience, allowing many people to feel a sense of freedom and exhilaration that they may not get from other activities. Aside from this, people ride motorcycles for all kinds of other reasons: they typically get better gas mileage than cars and trucks, the image of the biker appeals to many, and frankly each motorcyclist probably has his or her own reasons for riding. Colorado is one of 27 states that does NOT have a universal helmet law, but the importance of wearing a Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet cannot be overstated. Whatever the reason for not wearing a helmet, nothing is more important than your health and safety, and several independent studies have shown conclusive evidence that wearing a compliant helmet increases a rider’s chances of avoiding serious injury or death during a motorcycle wreck.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiles a report in December 2010 on Motorcycle Helmet Use showing trends giving data on trends over time, and specifically leading up to current helmet use trends. One thing that the NHTSA indicates is a disheartening trend away from DOT approved helmet use by motorcyclists. This trend took two different forms: an increase in the percentage of riders wearing no helmet, and an increase in the percentage of riders wearing helmets that are not DOT compliant. DOT certified helmets have a sticker placed on the back indicating their compliance. Because there are also counterfeit DOT stickers out there, it is good to know what a compliant helmet looks like. The simplest thing to remember is that every DOT compliant helmet covers the ears and is at least an inch thick.

This trend is disturbing because many of the significant number of independent studies that have shown the beneficial effect that helmet use can have in the event of a motorcycle crash. DOT compliant helmets are important because there are strict parameters that helmets must meet in order to be considered compliant. If you are in a crash with a non-compliant helmet, it will not protect your head and brain as effectively as a compliant helmet will.

If you have been injured in a Colorado motorcycle accident, contact a Denver motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Keith Fuicelli at the Law Firm of Fuicelli and Lee is a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer who has experience negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of accident victims and fighting for their legal rights. Call Keith at (303)355-7202; he will give you a FREE CONSULTATION, at which time he will discuss the details of your case and give you his honest opinion. Keith believes in open and honest dialogue between attorney and client, and if he takes your case will provide excellent personal service and dedicate his time to getting you the best possible outcome.