Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws
According to Colorado motorcycle laws:
- Motorcycle riders who are at least 18 years old are not legally required to wear helmets when riding.
- Motorcycle passengers or operators who are younger than 18 years old are legally required to wear helmets when riding. These required helmets must be approved by the Department of Transportation (i.e., the helmets must be DOT approved).
- Although helmets are not legally required for riders who are 18 or older, all riders are legally required to wear some type of eye protection when riding. Sufficient eye protection can include the visor on a helmet, safety glasses and/or safety goggles. A motorcycle’s windshield is not considered to be adequate eye protection when riding motorcycles in Colorado.
Motorcycle Helmet Safety Statistics
The following motorcycle accident and helmet safety statistics have been compiled and presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Head injuries are the leading causes of motorcycle accident deaths for riders in the U.S.
- Not wearing a motorcycle helmet increases riders’ risk of sustaining a fatal head injury in a traffic accident by approximately 40 percent.
- Riders who don’t wear motorcycle helmets are about 15 percent more likely than riders wearing safety helmets to sustain other, non-fatal motorcycle accident injuries.
- Researchers estimate that more than 1,800 lives could have been saved last year if motorcycle riders had been wearing safety helmets when fatal motorcycle accidents occurred.
- Only 19 states and the District of Columbia currently have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.
When Motorcycle Accidents Occur…
Although Colorado law does not require riders who are 18 or older to wear safety helmets, even when riders do choose to wear such protective gear and do their best to operate their motorcycles as safely as possible:
- They cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road.
- They may be injured in traffic accidents caused by other individuals’ negligent or reckless behavior.
- They will likely be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, injuries, property damage and other losses if they are involved in a motorcycle accident that has been caused by others’ negligence or recklessness.
The Boulder County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Cederberg Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident – or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, the Boulder County motorcycle accident lawyer at Cederberg Law wants you to know that he:
- Has more than 35 years of experience advocating victims’ rights and helping them secure the compensation they need and deserve.
- Has handled countless cases and, as a result, have a deep understanding of the law and the legal experience necessary to defend victims’ rights in any legal setting.
- Is an aggressive litigator in court and a skilled negotiator outside of court.
- Is dedicated to ensuring that all of our clients receive the personal attention and professional service they and their cases deserve.
- Will not back down until you secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries, expenses and losses.
For additional information about your legal rights and entitlements, as well as a complimentary professional evaluation of your case, call us at 303-499-0449 or email us using the form at the left-hand side of the screen.