New Jersey Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle riders know the importance of safety. With no protection in a crash, most motorcyclists operate their bikes responsibly.

Understanding New Jersey motorcycle helmet laws is critical for every biker on the state’s roads. Following the law helps keep you safe and ensures you will not get a citation. If the worst happens and you get into an accident, contact the skilled motorcycle crash attorneys at our firm for help pursuing compensation.

Helmets Are Mandatory for All Bikers

Some states require helmets only for inexperienced or underage motorcycle riders. Others allow experienced riders to forgo a helmet if they buy insurance that will cover them in the event of an accident.

New Jersey does not make any such distinctions. New Jersey Statutes § 39:3-76.7 requires everyone riding a motorcycle to wear a helmet at all times. The helmet must comply with federal safety regulations, be reflective on both sides, and have a properly fitting chin strap.

Helmets Can Reduce Injuries

Most of the fatalities occur among motorcyclists who are not wearing helmets. Clinical surveys have shown that helmet use can reduce fatal injuries by about 30 percent.

Motorcycle riders who survive crashes can suffer disfiguring facial injuries that can result in blindness, hearing loss, or loss of facial features like an eye, nose, or ear. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are common among bikers who do not wear helmets. Our accident attorneys in New Jersey always counsel motorcyclists to wear helmets to comply with the law, but also to protect against life-altering injuries.

Helmet Use Can Affect Compensation After a Crash

Motorcycle riders who get into accidents often bring lawsuits to obtain reasonable compensation for their injuries. Whether or not the motorcyclist was following New Jersey helmet laws can sometimes significantly impact their ability to obtain compensation.

State law allows anyone involved in an accident to seek compensation from negligent parties if the person seeking compensation was not primarily responsible for the crash. However, when a motorcycle rider does not wear a helmet and seeks compensation for injuries to their face or head, it can be challenging to obtain compensation. The insurance company for the other involved driver or a jury, if a case goes to trial, might find that the rider is responsible for their injury because they violated the law and did not wear a helmet.

When the injuries are to the torso or limbs, helmet use should not impact a rider’s compensation. Our skilled attorneys can ensure that a negligent motorist pays maximum compensation for injuries other than to the head. However, a biker who was not wearing a helmet may not receive full compensation for injuries to their head or face.

Consult a New Jersey Attorney About Helmet Laws After a Motorcycle Crash

New Jersey motorcycle helmet laws are intended to reduce death and significant injuries among motorcycle riders. Data is clear that wearing an approved, properly fitting helmet protects riders.

Even if you were not wearing a helmet when you were injured, the litigation attorneys at our firm can help you. Contact us immediately to discuss your situation.