Being in a motorcycle accident without a helmet can result in devastating injuries. Head protection is the most effective way to reduce the risk of death or permanent brain damage.
In Indiana, helmet use is often left up to individual riders, which makes understanding the rules critical. Knowing how helmet laws apply helps clarify why some riders are more vulnerable than others when accidents occur on the road.
Indiana’s Helmet Laws: Who Is Required to Wear One?
Indiana does not require every rider to wear a helmet. Instead, the law applies only to motorcyclists and passengers under 18, as well as those who hold a learner’s permit. These riders must wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards and use protective eyewear.
Adult riders with a valid motorcycle license can legally ride without one. The limited scope of the law means that in many crashes, helmet use is a matter of personal choice, not a legal obligation.
Injury Risk of Riding Without a Helmet
The risks of being involved in a motorcycle crash without a helmet are extremely elevated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and reduce the risk of death by 37%. When riding without a helmet, riders are much more likely to suffer from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Skull fractures and facial injuries
- Severe lacerations and permanent disfigurement
Injuries like this will often result in longer hospital stays and more long-term care afterward. Recovery from motorcycle crash brain, face, or severe skin injuries can take months and involve additional months of physical rehab and the expense of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
In many of those crashes, the difference between walking away from an accident and a life-changing injury could come down to whether or not a helmet was worn.
Legal and Financial Consequences After an Accident
Although adults in Indiana are not required to wear a helmet, riding without one can still influence the outcomes of a case involving an accident. This is due to Indiana’s modified comparative fault system, which allows for reduced compensation if a rider’s behavior led to an increase in their injuries.
For example, if a court finds that not wearing a helmet exacerbated the injury, the injured rider may receive less compensation. Medical expenses are also significantly higher in the case of no helmet, which can put an extra burden on personal finances.
Severe injuries can result in lost wages, disability, and diminished earning capacity. Generally, insurers will raise the argument during settlement negotiations that if a helmet had been worn, the harm would have been less severe, making recovery of full damages more difficult.
Insurance Implications for Riders Without Helmets
Insurance companies scrutinize accidents for helmetless riders carefully. While the fault for the crash itself may not make much difference, there is often great scrutiny of the injuries suffered, especially if a helmet could have limited the effects of those injuries. This can result in:
- Reduced payout of medical expense coverage
- Claim denials for specific head injuries
- Increased premiums for future coverage
Indiana may not legally require helmets for all riders, but insurers consider fault, especially when riding without a helmet, to present a significantly higher risk. Further, it makes it more difficult for riders to negotiate settlements, and it makes recovery of financial benefits much more uncertain after an accident.
Long-Term Impact on Recovery and Rehabilitation
The long-term impacts of riding without a helmet are much more extensive than a damaged helmet and immediate medical expenses. Traumatic brain injury may involve lifelong therapy, assisted living, and mobility devices.
There is frequent emotional and financial stress on families when providing ongoing assistance and care. Recovery time can be longer, and the risk of permanent disability is greater. For many Indiana riders, the choice to ride without a helmet can alter their health, independence, and quality of life in a way that is permanent.
What This Means for Indiana Riders
In Indiana, it is legal for many riders to ride helmetless, but it remains a heavy risk to take. More often, crashes lead to harsher injuries and reduced compensation and long-term consequences that do not add up positively for the face value of riding without a helmet for comfort.
Key Takeaways
- A helmet can lessen the risk of a fatal head injury by as much as 70%.
- Indiana only requires helmets for persons younger than 18 and those persons with permits.
- Riding without a helmet can affect and lessen compensation in legal claims.
- Insurance companies may limit and potentially deny payout altogether.
- Long-term rehabilitation is plainly more difficult than riding with a helmet.
