Riding a motorcycle is one of the most exhilarating feelings you can experience. It is essential to remember that safety should be your number one priority. Missouri motorcycle helmet laws recently changed, so it’s critical to stay up-to-date with the new mandate for your physical and legal safety.
The Missouri Law Helmet Requirement
As of 2020, Missouri removed its universal helmet law and stated that only Missouri motorcyclists under the age of 25 are required to wear a helmet. If you are over the age of 26 and possess health insurance, you are not legally obligated to drive or ride with a helmet on. Your health insurance must be capable of covering your medical bills in the event of a motorcycle accident head injury.
If you only have a permit, not a full license, you are still required to wear a helmet. The age and health insurance exceptions only apply to fully licensed drivers.
How Is the Law Enforced?
Missouri is a secondary enforcement state, which means that police officers and highway patrol are not allowed to pull you over if you are not wearing a helmet, though this does not mean the cannot penalize you.
If you violate another traffic law, like speeding, the officer can tack on an additional ticket for not wearing a helmet if you are legally obligated to wear one. Breaking the helmet law will result in a $25 fine. After the first ticket, this fee may increase.
Because of this secondary enforcement restriction and low fine, many consider that the Missouri motorcycle helmet laws are so relaxed that they may as well not exist. Since removing their universal helmet law, the state’s motorcycle accident fatalities and brain injuries have skyrocketed.
Why You Should Wear Helmets When Riding a Motorcycle
Regardless of where you live, you should always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Riding without a helmet leads to:
● Increased injury risk: If an accident occurs and you are not wearing a helmet, you are far more likely to suffer brain damage. The skull is often the first thing to hit the ground, and it’s one of the most fragile parts of your body.
● Increased death risk: Those who experience head injuries from an accident while wearing a helmet are far less likely to die than those who are not wearing one. Helmets can save your life.
● Decreased health insurance protection: If you’re attempting to file an insurance claim for an accident, your insurance company might reduce your payment if you were not wearing a helmet. Not wearing a helmet is considered negligence and puts you at partial fault for your injury, even if you didn’t cause the accident.
Have You Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
The Missouri motorcycle helmet laws may not require you to wear a helmet, but our legal team at Law Tigers recommends that you do so, regardless. Even when wearing one, you are vulnerable to injury during an accident. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, you should seek medical help and legal representation.
At Law Tigers, one of our experienced attorneys can represent your case with in-depth knowledge of the law in your state. We are passionate about motorcycles and want to ensure that you can ride with confidence and protection.
Call Law Tigers today at 1-888-863-7216 if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, and we will evaluate your case for free.
