Florida Personal Injury Blog
In Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm shares insight for understanding the different types of motorcycle helmets available and how they protect you in the event of a motorcycle accident.
A helmet is a motorcycle rider’s best friend and should always be worn when riding no matter what. It is the only thing protecting your head from severe and sometimes permanent injury. Thus, purchasing a quality helmet and understanding how they work in the event of a motorcycle accident is fundamental. Much in the same way a baseball player chooses which glove to buy, a motorcycle rider must choose the helmet that best fits his/her head and budget. There are many different types of helmets which come in different styles and with different price tags. Obviously, the more expensive the helmet, the better the quality and chances of reducing the injuries sustained after a motorcycle accident. Since the human head is the heaviest part of the body, it is only natural that this part of the body will strike the ground with the most impact and usually first. Thus, making sure the helmet fits properly and is strapped onto the head tightly is vital to guarantee it does what it’s meant to do, protect your brain. According to statistics, motorcycle helmets save an average of 2,000 lives per year and could have saved over 1,000,000 lives had they been worn by riders involved in accidents.
It’s important to highlight that the lifespan of a motorcycle helmet is five years, that’s if it hasn’t suffered impact or been damaged as a result of a motorcycle accident. It may be difficult to understand why the helmet has a lifespan but it simply comes down to the materials used to manufacture the interior and exterior of the helmet. The materials used to manufacture helmets include polycarbonates or fiberglass, which begin to deteriorate after time. Also, the interior linings begin to wear and lose their effectiveness. Though it may seem like a waste to toss your favorite helmet, it is highly recommended to guarantee maximum protection in the event of a motorcycle accident in which your head hits the ground hard. If in doubt, check the DOT expiration date to check when your helmet expires. The helmet will begin to get old as soon as the rider places it on his/her head and exposes the helmet to the natural elements such as sunlight, wind, and rain. The Miami motorcycle accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury attorney and founder at the Perazzo Law Firm, has vast experience striving to be the best motorcycle accident lawyer for his motorcycle accident clients and families. Among the bodily injuries incurred by motorcycle accident victims, the head area is the only part of the body that can be protected after a collision or fall. Though elbow and knee pads might prevent cuts and abrasions, the helmet protects the brain from long-term injuries that can greatly diminish the motorcycle accident victims quality of life, and lead to a devastating array of physical disorders and pain.
Full Face and Open Face Helmets / The Pros and Cons
Regardless of whether you choose a full-face or Open-face helmet, the most important thing to consider is its quality and reputation. Another important aspect to consider when deciding on a full-face or open-face helmet is the conditions such as weather, location, and roadway you choose to ride in. It’s far different cruising along the countryside than in downtown traffic. Furthermore, when there is roadwork being done on a certain street, avenue, or highway, there may be debris, and a full-face helmet will keep stuff out of your eyes and off your face. Also, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that an open-face helmet is much cooler in hot weather and much warmer in cold temperature. Frigid temperatures can cause the rider’s face to redden from being exposed to frigid winds enhanced by the speed at which travelling. Each type of helmet has its pros and cons, just like most things in life. But not all things in life are meant to safe your life in the event of an accident.
What you can do with an open-face helmet:
- Breath easier
- Stay cooler
- People can see your face
- Scratch you face
- Pick you nose
- Get sunlight
- See better to the sides which enhances your chances of avoiding a motorcycle accident
- Eliminate blind spots
- Put less strain on your neck since open-face helmets are lighter
- Suffer chin injury
- Require safety goggles
- Wear a face mask in cold weather to protect from wind burn
- Be affected by noise, wind, or rain
Why full-face masks are better:
- The protect your entire face from weather elements, insects, and road debris
- They have a better chance of staying on after impacting the ground
- Protect against sun glare
- They favor long distance travel through less distraction from wind and other elements
Unfortunately, if you’re riding with someone, communication may be limited and many times riders wearing full face helmets have trouble detecting car horns or other sounds pertinent to safety. Furthermore, on hot days, wearing a full face helmet can be uncomfortable.
This brings us back to the initial point, deciding between a full face or open face helmet depends greatly on where, when, and with whom you want to ride your motorcycle.
Modular Helmets
Flip-up or modular helmets are said to combine the advantageous features of the full-face helmet and the open face helmet. However, if comfort is an issue, the extra weight from hinges and the locking mechanisms can make riding for long hours a bit strenuous and cause discomfort. Furthermore, the durability and effectiveness of protection following severe impact has yet to be determined.
Again, in Miami, the motorcycle accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm remind riders that their helmet’s use is limited to 7 years after it was manufactured and five years of being worn. Check the manufacturer’s specs or look inside the helmet to find a date stamp.
The Miami Personal Injury and Motorcycle Accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm share common motorcycle accident injuries
Depending on each type of motorcycle accident, in Miami, our attorneys understand that injury after a motorcycle accident is inevitable.
The most common injuries are the following:
- Bumps and bruises on the hands, elbows, knees.
- Cuts and lacerations on the hands, arms, legs
- Shoulder fractures and breaks
- Low extremity injuries to the knees and ankles – sprains and breaks
- Chest injuries
- Neck injuries
- Hip injuries
- Head injuries
All of the above injuries will mandate a professional medical evaluation. Thus, if you, a friend, or relative has suffered injury in a motorcycle accident, in Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm urges you to seek medical care and to save all medical records. Contact us ONLINE if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in any of the cities we serve in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Orange County.
THE PERAZZO LAW FIRM – DEDCICATED TO PUTTING YOUR INTERESTS FIRST!