How a motorcycle helmet can save your life

It is a legal requirement to wear a motorcycle helmet whilst riding your motorbike on the road in the UK. A helmet will protect your head from injury if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. Helmets protect the head by reducing the rate at which the skull and brain would be accelerated or decelerated by an impact. The helmet acts as a shock absorber. According to studies in the US, under universal helmet laws, most states experienced 20% to 40% lower fatalities rates from motorcycle accidents than during periods without laws or under limited laws regarding protective head gear.

Types of safety helmet
Motorcycle helmets are either full face or open face. A full face helmet covers the head fully and has a hinged visor. It offers protection to the whole face and provides weather protection. Some riders may find a full face helmet claustrophobic. An open face helmet can either be worn with a visor or goggles and doesn’t protect the wearers chin from injury. All helmets should fit correctly and be properly fastened when in use.

Open faced helmet	Full face helmet

All helmets sold in the UK must reach certain safety standards. They are as follows:

• British Standard Bs 6658: 1985 and carry the BSI kitemark
• UNECE Regulations 22.05
• Any standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area which offers a level of safety and protection equivalent to the BSI kitemark

Materials used for motorcycle helmets
The outer shell of motorcycle helmets are made from three different materials. They each have their own benefits. They are:

• Polycarbonate
• Glass fibre
• Kevlar

Polycarbonate helmets tend to be cheaper that others, but they do not last as long. They should not be cleaned with a solvent or be painted. They are also lighter than glass fibres.

Glass fibre helmets are heavier and last longer that polycarbonate helmets, they are also harder to clean.

Kevlar helmets are extremely tough and combine strength with a light weight. It is often used as a composite with glass fibre, or carbon and glass fibre. Kevlar helmets tend to be expensive.

Important
If your helmet receives a heavy impact it should be replaced. Damage to helmets can’t always be seen so you should always buy a new one. You should also never buy a second hand helmet as you won’t know whether it has been damaged in the past.

Personal injury
If you do have a motorcycle accident and it can be proven that someone else caused it, then help is at hand. Whatever your injury, whether you have sustained cuts and bruises, a head injury or a spinal injury, we can help you to make a personal injury claim. Under a no win no fee agreement we will get you compensation for your injuries and any other related losses. There is no risk involved and you will be able to get free legal advice without any obligation.

For more information or to make a personal injury claim following a motorcycle accident call us now on 0800 10 757 95 . If you prefer you can fill in our online claim form and we will call you back.