Could wearing a helmet affect my vision and hearing, and cause me to get into a Columbia, MD motorcycle crash?

There has been some debate as to whether or not motorcycle helmets can actually impair a biker’s ability to drive safely. The theory is that the helmet negatively affects a motorist’s ability to see and hear, thereby potentially causing a Columbia, MD motorcycle crash. Here, a lawyer examines the theory and discusses if you should wear a helmet.

Vision

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study that tested how well bikers could see while their helmets were on. The test showed that any lateral vision that was lost by the helmet could be recovered by simply turning their heads more. The participants were also able to clearly see traffic ahead of them. The study found that if there were any negatives, they were minimal, which means wearing the helmet will likely not cause a Howard County motorcycle crash, but could help if you were involved in one.

Hearing

The test showed that there was minimal – if any – effects on a biker’s hearing while wearing a motorcycle helmet. The only difference that was found was once the rider reached 50 mph, the level of hearing declined because of increased wind noise. Again, the helmet probably would not alter a rider’s hearing so much that it would cause a Columbia bike crash.

The Verdict

Wearing a helmet while riding your motorcycle in Maryland is not only the law, but extremely important. The helmet could be the only object between your head and the pavement if you are in an accident. If you aren’t wearing one, you could receive extremely serious injuries, or worse. Therefore, the benefits of wearing a helmet far outweigh any possible negative effects of having one on.

Bikers should always wear helmets when riding. If you are in a Columbia, MD motorcycle crash and were injured, you’ll need the help of an attorney. If not, you may have to pay for your medical bills and bike repairs yourself, which isn’t fair.

Call the law offices of Jimeno & Gray, P.A., at (410) 590-9401 to speak with a Columbia motorcycle lawyer about your case. Request your free copy of the book A Crash Course in Maryland Accidents, written by lawyer Gregory Jimeno, when you call.