If you have ever been on or near a motorcycle, you likely have a pretty good idea of how catastrophic the effects of a traffic accident can be. While there is no way to completely eliminate the risks associated with this sort of wreck outside of not riding a motorcycle at all, you can reduce your chance of sustaining serious injury by wearing proper safety gear while riding and, most significantly, by wearing a helmet.
As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can explain in more detail, each state takes a different approach regarding requiring helmet use for motorcycle riders of certain ages or experience levels. Here is a brief overview of Glendale motorcycle helmet laws for riders and passengers and information on how complying with these laws may affect your ability to seek civil recovery after a motorcycle crash. To learn more, work with our skilled team.
Who Has to Wear a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle?
In many states, including neighboring California, all operators and passengers on motorcycles and all similar machines are required to wear safety helmets at all times while riding, no matter how much riding experience they have or how old they are. As per Arizona Revised Statutes §28-964, though, only motorcycle riders and passengers under the age of 18 are required by law to wear helmets while riding in Glendale.
Notably, helmets are not required for riders of any age who are operators of or passengers on the following types of vehicles:
- Electric vehicles with three wheels and enclosed cabs
- An “all-terrain vehicle,” or ATV
- A motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or ATV being operated as a farm vehicle and being used for agricultural work on a farm
- A motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or ATV being operated on private property
Outside of those scenarios, operators over 18 who are carrying or riding alongside people under 18 can be held legally liable for failing to ensure that their underage companions are wearing helmets.
Physical and Legal Benefits of Helmet Use
Of course, the primary reason to wear a motorcycle helmet while riding in Glendale, regardless of what the law requires, is its protection against life-altering brain and neck injuries. In fact, according to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle helmet use saved more than 25,000 lives across the United States between 2002 and 2017.
On top of that, wearing a motorcycle helmet can also be vital to avoiding a reduction in civil compensation during a lawsuit over an injury stemming from a motorcycle wreck. If a court finds that a helmetless motorcycle crash victim likely could have avoided serious injury from their wreck by wearing a helmet, that court may assign them a percentage of comparative fault. This reduces the total amount of money they can recover for their damages by that same percentage, in accordance with A.R.S. §12-2505.
Learn More About Motorcycle Helmet Laws From a Glendale Attorney
Understanding Glendale motorcycle helmet laws is just one element of staying safe on the road while riding in this area. Unfortunately, another big element is understanding that drivers near you may not be paying attention and may not see you before turning or changing lanes, so it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe on every ride.
If you have nevertheless been injured through another driver’s negligence, you have support available from Phillips Law Group with understanding and enforcing your rights under Arizona civil law. Call today to discuss your options with a member of our legal team during a free consultation.
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