While protesting helmet laws in New York, a 55-year-old man died from injuries in a low-speed motorcycle accident. The protest was organized in an effort to demonstrate against mandatory helmet laws in the state.
According to the police report and witnesses, the man's motorcycle fishtailed when he applied the brakes in heavy traffic. As he lost control, the man went over his handlebars and struck his head on the ground. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The protest's organizers, American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE), said they were saddened and shocked by the accident. The organization doesn't fight helmet laws exclusively; instead, it leads events geared toward motorcycle freedom and awareness.
A New York trooper said he believed that if the man had been wearing a helmet, he would have survived the motorcycle accident. The state does require motorcyclists to wear helmets when riding.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws Under Fire Throughout the Country
As helmet protests take place across the country this summer, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities is stunning. Motorcycles are an extremely dangerous form of transportation, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In 2007, motorcycle accident deaths were 37 times higher than car accident deaths.
Despite the high rate of motorcycle accidents and fatalities, many riders and advocates argue that it's a motorcyclist's choice whether he or she should wear a helmet. Many argue that their personal freedom on a bike shouldn't be regulated by state helmet laws.
Throughout the country, 20 states have mandatory helmet laws. In states with universal helmet laws, meaning that all motorcyclists must wear a helmet at all times. In these states helmet use increased dramatically and motorcycle deaths and injuries decreased once the helmet law went into effect.
The opposite occurs when states reverse or weaken a universal helmet law. The IIHS reported that in Florida, a weakened 2000 helmet law that mandated helmet use only by motorcyclists under 21 years old increased the motorcyclist death rate by 25 percent.
Contact a Florida Attorney After a Motorcycle Crash
With more Florida motorcyclists on the road in the summer, there is a greater chance of a Tampa motorcycle accident. Remember, since helmet usage in Florida is optional, even a minor accident involving a motorcycle can cause serious injury. If you've been injured in an accident and the other driver negligently contributed to your crash, a personal injury attorney can help. Contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer today to learn more about your options following a crash.
