Yes. California requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets, but that doesn’t affect the fault in the accident if riders get hit. A careless driver is still at fault, and victims could ask for help with their medical bills, their lost paychecks at work, and for other damages.
Can I Seek Injury Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet in an Accident?
California Vehicle Code 27803 requires motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets. However, a helmet-less rider struck by a reckless driver can still seek injury compensation. The rider might be cited for the lack of a helmet, but it doesn’t affect the liability in the accident.
If the driver’s mistake caused the collision, the driver is still 100% accountable for the hardships victims endure. Car insurance companies may try to find ways to blame the motorcyclist partially or fully for the crash or for injuries. An insurer may argue that the victim’s injuries would have been lessened by helmet use.
But a strong case can block these shady tactics that adjusters have used for decades. A skilled attorney would show that the devastating collision caused by a distracted driver or a speeding driver is the true cause of the injury.
A Madera Motorcycle Accident Lawyer would fully investigate your case and use the evidence to keep the fault firmly with the driver. Your attorney would seek the maximum in compensation available for your recovery and whatever it took to get you back on your bike again.
Winning Support for Madera County Motorcycle Accident Victims
If a driver’s reckless behavior causes you to suffer injury, you are empowered to seek help in paying your medical bills and other damages, such as your lost paychecks while out of work. Any settlement check must cover you as long as an injury affects your life and your ability to ride. Future surgeries and physical therapy that may become necessary must be part of any settlement.
Your non-economic damages, such as the pain you endure and the emotional hardships you are put through, are also the at-fault driver’s responsibility. Non-economic damages can include the loss of enjoyment of life riders will feel when they can’t get back on their motorcycles for weeks or months.