In the state of Arizona, all riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. The law also requires all riders, no matter what age, to wear eye protection, unless their motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
At Phillips Law Group, our motorcycle accident attorneys have recognized the great fatality rate to riders across the state, and recommend that all riders wear a helmet. Our attorneys also believe that if you or a family member has suffered an injury or fatality, due to the negligent actions of another individual, the victim may be entitled to compensation benefits for their losses and damages.
For more information about Phoenix, Arizona’s motorcycle helmet laws, or if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, call 602-222-2222 , or complete the Free Case Review form on this page today.
Phoenix, AZ motorcycle helmet laws were enacted in 1976 in order to keep our young motorcycle riders safe. As a result of our motorcycle helmet laws, our economic costs saved by helmet use per 100,000 registered motorcycles were $35 million in 2010, while these numbers have remained relatively consistent throughout the years.
Some more facts about motorcycle helmets include:
Furthermore, un-helmeted riders are more likely to be uninsured than helmeted riders, which causes increased medical expenses by using taxpayer funds, whereas helmeted riders ted to be insured, and costs are passed on to the accident causing individual in the form of higher auto insurance premiums.
In order to qualify as a “helmet” for the purposes of complying with the state’s motorcycle helmet laws, a helmet worn by a rider under the age of 18 in Phoenix, AZ must meet the safety standards established by the Arizona Department of Transportation, which are equivalent to those established by the United States Department of Transportation. More specifically, helmets must meet the criteria outlined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.
Helmets that meet the criteria outlined in this federal standard usually have a “DOT” sticker on the back indicating their compliance with the law. However, some “novelty helmets” or helmets sold by unauthorized third parties may have counterfeit DOT stickers on them or simply not meet the necessary safety standards. In general, DOT-approved helmets are those that have all the following traits:
Other organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Snell Foundation, have their own recommended safety standards for motorcycle helmets, which broadly follow federal regulations but may go further in some ways. A helmet that meets the safety standards set by these specific private non-profit organizations typically also meets the safety standards set by state and federal laws.
State law allows police officers in Phoenix to issue traffic citations against motorcyclists who are 16 or 17 years of age and fail to wear a safety helmet while operating a motorcycle with a valid license or permit. First-time offenses carry civil penalties of $100 and/or community service requirements upon conviction or adjudication of guilt, and repeat offenses may incur more severe sanctions.
Furthermore, adults over the age of 18 who are carrying passengers under the age of 18 can be personally cited in this same way if their passenger is not wearing a safety helmet in compliance with Phoenix, AZ motorcycle helmet laws. Likewise, adults riding in the same group as a person under 18 who is not wearing a helmet can be cited for that underage person’s failure to wear required safety gear.
Another possible legal implication related to the use of motorcycle helmets in Arizona has to do with the “pure comparative fault” system, which civil courts here follow during personal injury claims. In brief, this system allows courts to assign percentages of fault to injured people based on the degree of blame they hold for causing their own injuries through their own misconduct, and then reduce the value of their final damage award by that same percentage.
If an adult motorcycle operator or passenger chooses not to wear a helmet but then suffers a serious head injury in a wreck that a helmet likely could have prevented, their choice not to wear a helmet can be considered comparative fault as defined above. With this in mind, wearing a helmet is a great way for motorcyclists in Phoenix to protect themselves not only physically, but legally as well.
Following a motorcycle wreck, the victim often suffers from injuries caused by the negligent actions of another individual. These injuries can become costly as they pile-up over time, which is why our attorneys at Phillips Law Group are prepared to defend your rights and achieve the compensation you deserve. Having served the state of Arizona for several years, our team is prepared to help you seek justice today.
To gather more information regarding our Phoenix, Arizona motorcycle helmet laws, or if you have been injured in a wreck, our team welcomes you to contact us or complete the Free Case Review form at the top of this page today.
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