Motorcycle helmet laws in Colorado are often a topic of debate. While helmets significantly reduce the risk of severe injury or death in an accident, some riders feel they take away from the freedom of the open road. Regardless of personal preference, understanding and following Colorado’s helmet laws is essential for both safety and legal compliance.
At Olson Personal Injury Lawyers, we have seen firsthand how devastating motorcycle accidents can be. Even the most skilled riders cannot always anticipate the negligence of others, and in a crash, wearing a helmet could mean the difference between life and death. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, contact Olson Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
What Is the Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Law?
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the basics of the state’s motorcycle helmet laws and other safety requirements are:
- Helmets are required for any riders or passengers under the age of 18. While the Department of Transportation encourages all riders to wear a helmet, they are not required for riders age 18 or over.
- All riders and passengers must use some form of eye protection while on a motorcycle, such as goggles or glasses. State regulations say that a motorcycle’s windshield does not qualify as sufficient eye protection.
- Motorcycles must be equipped with footrests for passengers, and passengers must use these footrests while riding.
- Lane-splitting, which is when a motorcycle rides between two lanes of slower traffic, is illegal in Colorado. However, two motorcycles can ride side-by-side and share a lane.
Do Motorcycle Passengers Have to Wear Helmets?
According to Colorado law, motorcycle passengers are subject to the same helmet rules as the motorcycle operator. Motorcycle passengers under 18 are required to wear a helmet, while passengers 18 or over are not required to wear them. Although passengers older than 18 are not required to wear a helmet, it is strongly recommended to wear one whenever riding.
Legal Implications of Not Wearing a Helmet While Riding a Motorcycle
Motorcycle riders and passengers caught not wearing a helmet can be ticketed and fined by the police if they are not at least 18 years old.
Not wearing a helmet could also impact your compensation if you file a personal injury lawsuit after a crash. Even if you’re not required to wear a helmet, insurance companies could wrongfully argue that not wearing one is a form of negligence and results in more severe injuries. That could lead the insurance companies to try to reduce the amount of compensation you receive or deny your claim altogether.
However, the insurance company’s position overlooks the fact that not wearing a helmet does cause a motorcycle accident. If someone else’s negligence triggered the crash, they should be responsible for the victim’s total losses, even if the victim was obeying the law by not wearing a helmet. You need a lawyer who will fight for your right to compensation.
After a motorcycle accident, insurers often try to blame the rider. Our attorneys know how to push back and get you the compensation you deserve.
Colorado Motorcycle Fatality Rates
Recent information from the Colorado Department of Transportation shows 103 motorcyclists died in accidents in one year. What’s more, 54 of those 103 motorcyclists who died were not wearing helmets. That means riders without helmets accounted for more than half of all motorcycle fatalities that year.
Contact Our Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Case
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, call the Colorado motorcycle accident attorneys of Olson Personal Injury Lawyers for help right away. Contact our Denver office today for a free consultation, or give us a call at (720) 730-4325.
