Nothing is more precious than your life, and nothing is more important to keeping it than your head. Although it is way more fun in some cases to tear around the roads of the Tar Heel State with nothing on your head, that is also a good way to fall victim to careless drivers, poor road conditions and other unseen hazards.
Does North Carolina require motorcyclists to wear a helmet?
Yes, the government in Raleigh has passed a law that requires all active bikers to wear a helmet. This applies to all people, including adults. It also applies to riders of mopeds and any similar kind of open motorized vehicle.
What kind of helmet meets this requirement?
There is a standard set by the U.S. Department of Transportation called Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. This sets the manufacturers’ standards for how motorcycle safety helmets can be made and the protections they have to offer. These helmets are usually fixed with a symbol reading “DOT” on the back; there are similar novelty tags on substandard helmets, so check the symbol is fixed.
What are some of the details of Standard 218?
The exterior of compliant helmets must be made of a material that can withstand the force of a sudden collision. In order to protect the head, there must also be a polystyrene foam liner at least an inch thick within it.
What if I was wearing one in an accident?
An attorney should be one of the first calls by a motorcycle accident victim. Legal representation may be an essential part of recovery.