Last updated on August 3rd, 2023
Few feelings match the thrill of cruising down the road on your bike – it feels a little like flying. Of course, that feeling comes at a price. Everyone who rides also has a healthy respect for the fact that the road is a dangerous place and a motorcycle offers little protection in case of a crash. So, we do what we can to protect ourselves by riding safely and wearing appropriate protective gear – especially helmets. You may know that some states require riders by law to wear helmets, but what are the motorcycle helmet laws in Ohio?
In the US, 19 states and the District of Columbia require that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet. Ohio is not one of those states. However, motorcycle helmet laws in Ohio require that all riders under the age of 18 wear a helmet. In addition, riders must wear a helmet as long as they have a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC). A TIPIC is a “novice” license, the first step toward earning a full motorcycle license. If the driver is required to wear a helmet, then the passenger is also required to do so. The helmet must be approved by the DOT; that will be listed on the helmet’s packaging when you purchase it.
If you’re over 18 and have earned your full license or are licensed in another state, you’re not legally obligated to wear protective headgear.
Some states have different rules for low-power cycles (bikes, mopeds, and scooters with engine displacement less than 50 cc and top speeds lower than 30 mph), but Ohio has the same helmet requirements for low-power bikes as full-power ones. However, the rules are different for off-road riding – no helmets are required regardless of age or license status.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel with us right now!
Ohio also regulates other aspects of motorcycle ownership and driving. Regardless of age and experience level, you are required to wear eye protection unless your bike has a windscreen. You must have a passenger seat and passenger footrest in order to carry a passenger and you must have mirrors and turn signals. You’re legally required to have a muffler with no cut-outs and certain towns may restrict the level of noise your bike can make.
If you’re caught without a helmet in Ohio, you may face a fine of up to $75. In some states, failure to wear a helmet can affect your ability to collect compensation if you’re injured in a crash. Ohio, however, specifically provides for that situation. Whether or not you’re wearing a helmet cannot be taken into account when the court decides the compensation you receive as the result of a motorcycle accident. In other words, you won’t get stuck without compensation just because you weren’t wearing a helmet.
The protection of a helmet is crucial for motorcyclists. They experience 26 times as many crashes per mile as car drivers, but they don’t have the protection of a vehicle around them. That means they’re more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the event of an accident.
Brain damage is one of the scariest and most serious potential outcomes of a motorcycle crash. A helmet is designed to help cushion your skull to keep your brain from impacting and being injured. Helmets aren’t perfect, but they can make a big difference. They’re about 67% effective in preventing head injuries in motorcycle crashes and about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A TBI can cause serious long-term problems, including cognitive deficits. A TBI can impact your ability to think, reason, communicate, and manage your emotions. Severe TBIs can even take away your ability to live independently. Even a minor TBI is dangerous and increases your risk for Alzheimer’s and other long-term brain disorders. A TBI is also a very expensive injury – treatment for people injured in motorcycle crashes is 32 times more expensive if they suffer a TBI.
Motorcycles are more dangerous than cars, but there are ways to make riding safer. The top motorcycle safety tips include:
Unfortunately, accidents can happen even with all the right safety precautions. Cars often aren’t watching out for bikes, meaning they may hit bikers or drive them off the road. Bikes are also inherently less stable, especially if the weather or road conditions are less than ideal. If you’re involved in a bike crash, what can you do?
The first step is to call for emergency medical attention if you need it. Then you’ll need to get the other driver’s personal and insurance information. Then, contact one of our experienced Ohio motorcycle accident attorneys for a free case evaluation and consultation on how to manage your claim. We can help you manage the insurance paperwork and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., Doug Mann, a top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
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