I stumbled across an interesting article today that discusses the various breakthroughs that have been made that improve the safety and durability of motorcycle helmets.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that, in 2008 alone, 1,829 lives were saved because the person on the motorcycle wore a helmet. Estimates place the fatality prevention rate at 37% for the driver and 41% for passengers.
Today’s advanced helmets help to reduce the huge amount of energy in the crash that would otherwise be directed to the brain. This happens thanks to a hard outer shell that disperses the energy and a foam lining which absorbs it. Improvements have been made to both of these layers, making a motorcycle rider safer than he or she has ever been.
In addition, built in communication, increased visibility range, and comfort all equate to a safer ride. One helmet even exists which purports to provide medical attention, in that it has cool down technology that prevents swelling of the brain immediately following a crash.
As a San Francisco car accident lawyer, though, I can tell you that all these safety advances are moot if you don’t wear the helmet in the first place. Not only that, but as a car accident lawyer in San Francisco, I can tell you that obeying the rules of the road is also integral in preventing a deadly accident.
