Motorcyclists enjoy riding for various reasons, from the freedom of the open road to the financial savings compared to a passenger car. However, there are also major downsides, including the increased risk of serious injury. Because of the high likelihood of head trauma in a crash, state law requires all riders to wear a helmet.
Complying with Iberville Parish motorcycle helmet laws can protect you from harm and strengthen your personal injury case. A dedicated motorcycle accident attorney from Tomeny | Best could help you understand these requirements and how they might impact your case.
Understanding the Law
Motorcycle helmet laws in Iberville Parish are straightforward. All people operating a motorcycle—including their passengers—must always wear a helmet when riding. Not just any helmet will do. To qualify, a helmet must have a visor, a chin strap, and a minimum amount of interior padding. It must also not restrict a person’s vision or inhibit their ability to ride safely.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to this broad rule. To start, riders participating in certain public events can operate their bikes without a helmet. For example, this might include riding in a Mardi Gras parade. A permit from the police is necessary for this exception to apply, and it is only allowed during the event itself. Helmets are still necessary when driving there or back.
A person may also skip these requirements if they make proper modifications to their motorcycle. Additional safety features, including roll cages, can serve the same purpose as safety tools.
Helmets Save Lives
The truth about motorcycle helmets is that they radically reduce the risk of sustaining a disabling or fatal head injury in Iberville Parish in the event of a crash. These safety devices can absorb the impact when striking the ground in a crash. In many situations, a person who might have sustained a catastrophic brain injury could walk away without being hurt at all after their collision.
Helmets are important far beyond avoiding injuries entirely. These safety tools also have the potential to significantly reduce the severity of head trauma. Even limiting the effects of a concussion or other injury could significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Attempts to Change Louisiana’s Helmet Laws
Louisiana is one of just 18 states that require all riders, regardless of age, to wear helmets. The legislature has taken steps to relax those restrictions in recent years. In 2024 alone, the state house passed a bill to drop the mandatory helmet requirements for adults. The legislation has not been passed in the Senate or signed by the governor. Under the proposal, riders can forgo the helmet if they carry health insurance. This exception only applies to adults, as anyone under the age of 21 must still wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
Talk to a Lawyer in Iberville Parish About Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Iberville Parish motorcycle helmet laws are in place for a reason. Not everyone complies with them, though, as they are designed to protect a rider from harm in a crash.
If you have been injured in an accident with a motorcyclist, now is the time to discuss your options with our knowledgeable lawyers at Tomeny | Best. Reach out right away to learn more during a free consultation.
