Even when riding a pedal-powered bicycle at low speeds, wearing a safety helmet can dramatically reduce your risk of suffering a life-altering or potentially fatal brain injury in a wreck. Likewise, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle greatly decreases the likelihood of sustaining a permanent and debilitating injury, especially in high-speed crashes involving heavier vehicles.
However, not every person who rides a motorcycle in Arizona is required to wear a helmet, and you cannot be ticketed if the relevant rules do not apply to you. Additionally, there are some important restrictions established by Flagstaff motorcycle helmet laws that you should know about and comply with before you get out on the road. The experienced motorcycle injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group can help you understand your options under the law.
According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-964, anyone under the age of 18 riding or operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or all-terrain vehicle must wear a properly fitted and secured protective helmet at all times. To comply with state law, the helmet must meet the requirements outlined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 218.
As any experienced attorney will affirm, this motorcycle helmet law does not apply to riders or passengers in Flagstaff over the age of 18. However, adult motorcycle operators are responsible for ensuring that passengers under 18 and young riders in their group wear helmets. Failure to ensure proper helmet use can result in a $100 civil penalty per violation.
In Flagstaff, all motorcycle operators must wear eye protection, whether legally required to wear a helmet or choosing to do so voluntarily. Acceptable forms of eye protection include a transparent visor attached to a helmet, shatterproof goggles or glasses, a face shield, or a protective windshield installed on the motorcycle.
A.R.S. § 28-964 mandates that all motorcycles be equipped with a designated seat and footrests for the operator, along with a rearview mirror. To legally carry a passenger, the motorcycle must also have a dedicated passenger seat and footrests as part of its original design. A qualified legal professional can explain these and other mechanical requirements, such as headlight and taillight rules, during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Even if Flagstaff motorcycle helmet laws do not require you to wear head protection while riding your motorcycle, doing so is highly recommended for multiple reasons. In addition to reducing the risk of a serious head injury, wearing a helmet can also protect your right to effectively file suit after an accident caused by someone else. If you suffer a head injury while not wearing a helmet, this could be seen by the court as contributing to your own harm, potentially reducing the compensation available to you under comparative fault rules.
This is just one of the many challenges a skilled attorney from Phillips Law Group can help you address during your lawsuit or settlement negotiations. Call today to discuss your recovery options with a knowledgeable legal professional.
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