Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Missouri

Motorcycle helmet laws in Missouri changed in 2020 from one requiring all riders to wear a helmet to a less stringent version with several exceptions. If you ride a motorcycle in Missouri, you need to know the new motorcycle helmet regulations and understand how wearing a helmet could impact the compensation you can recover after an accident. 

What Is the Motorcycle Helmet Law in Missouri?

Under the new Missouri helmet law, only motorcycle riders and their passengers who are under 26 or who have an instruction permit must wear a helmet. Riders and passengers 26 and older do not have to wear a helmet as long as they carry health insurance or other insurance covering medical expenses for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. 

Helmet law enforcement has also changed. Under the previous law, a police officer could stop and issue a ticket to a motorcycle rider if they were not wearing a helmet. Now, police cannot stop motorcyclists to ensure compliance with the age and insurance requirements. However, motorcycle riders must provide proof of insurance coverage if requested by a police officer. 

If police do stop a motorcycle rider for a traffic violation and determine they have not satisfied the age, insurance, and licensure requirements to ride without a helmet, they are subject to a $25 fine for a first offense. 

Why Should You Wear a Helmet?

Although Missouri state law has relaxed helmet requirements for some motorcyclists, you should still consider wearing a helmet for protection in the event of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages looking for the DOT symbol on the back of the helmet or the Snell and ANSI labels inside the helmet to ensure it meets helmet safety standards. 

Because motorcycle riders have little to protect them in a collision, they are especially susceptible to severe injuries or even death in auto accidents. In a recent year, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists, despite motorcycles accounting for just 0.6 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect yourself when riding a motorcycle. 

Can I Recover Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet in a Motorcycle Crash? 

Since helmets can reduce the severity of a head injury in a motorcycle accident, insurance companies might argue that the motorcycle rider contributed to their injuries and should receive less money if they were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, know this tactic all too well, as well as how to fight back for the maximum compensation you deserve.

How Our Lawyers Help Injured Motorcyclists in Missouri

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, have extensive experience handling traffic collisions involving motorcycles in Missouri. We are ready to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident that injured you, evaluate the liability of all potentially responsible parties, and assess the extent of your financial losses to demand the money you need in the aftermath of a crash. Let us handle all aspects of your case while you focus on healing. 

Contact Our Missouri Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Case

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, you could be entitled to compensation. A motorcycle accident lawyer from Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help you demand the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.