Riding a motorcycle can be thrilling, but it also comes with serious risks. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, Woodland Hills motorcycle helmet laws can impact your case. Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue compensation. You should not navigate this alone. The attorneys at Valero Law Group are available at any time and will come to you if needed. Call for a free case review.
Local Helmet Laws
Under California Vehicle Code § 27803, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear a helmet that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations when operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. This law applies to all ages and is one of the most comprehensive in the country.
Failing to wear a helmet can lead to a traffic citation and fine. More importantly, insurance companies can use it to argue that the rider was partially at fault for their own injuries. In some cases, this may reduce the amount of compensation the injured person can recover.
A Woodland Hills motorcycle crash lawyer can evaluate how helmet use, or lack thereof, affects the case and fight back against arguments made by the insurance company.
How Can Helmet Use Impact Motorcycle Injury Claims?
If an individual was involved in a crash and was not wearing a helmet, this does not automatically prevent recovery. However, the insurance company may claim that some of the injuries could have been avoided. This is known as comparative fault, where a percentage of blame is assigned to both parties.
In California, if someone is found to be partially at fault, their compensation can be reduced by that percentage. For example, if the total damages are $100,000 and the rider is found to be 20 percent at fault for not wearing a helmet, they may only recover $80,000.
This is why legal representation is critical. A Woodland Hills lawyer from Valero Law Group can push back against unfair blame and use medical records and expert testimony to prove that the full extent of the motorcycle crash injuries was unrelated to helmet use.
Legal Support Is Still Available If a Motorcycle Operator Was Not Wearing a Helmet
Even if someone in Woodland Hills was not wearing a helmet at the time of the motorcycle crash, they still have legal rights. A skilled attorney can argue that the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence—such as speeding, failing to yield, or distracted driving—and that the lack of a helmet did not directly cause certain injuries.
An experienced attorney can also work with doctors to document which injuries would have occurred regardless of helmet use. This information is vital in maximizing the compensation available for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical costs.
Call a Woodland Hills Motorcycle Lawyer About Helmet Law Claims
If you were involved in a crash, you deserve to understand your rights, whether you were wearing a helmet or not. California law may impact how fault is determined and how much compensation is available, but it does not eliminate your right to pursue justice.
Call now to speak with an attorney who understands Woodland Hills motorcycle helmet laws. A member of our team will come to you, fight for your recovery, and only get paid if you win.