Did you know that in the year that Michigan allowed motorcyclists 21 and older to ride without helmets, the fatality rate among bare-headed riders was double that of their counterparts? The research by the University of Michigan and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety covered the 12 months immediately following April 2012, when Michigan repealed its universal helmet law.
For that two-year period, there were 7,235 reports of riders who crashed in the state of Michigan. Of those 1,094 riders were hospitalized at trauma centers. During the two-year study, the number of motorcycle fatalities did significantly rise, however, the fatality rate of riders without helmets who crashed was 5.4% double the 2.8% of helmeted riders. 17% of riders were less likely to suffer concussion-related injuries, however, 38% more riders incurred skull fractures. Overall, the percentage of trauma patients with head injuries increased 14% in the year after the repeal.
The expense to provide care to an unhelmeted rider could cost about $28,000 according to a study of one Michigan Trauma center. This number is 32% higher than the care cost for a helmeted rider. According to the law, it is required for unhelmeted riders to carry at least $20,00 of accident insurance.
The thought process behind repealing the helmet law was that it would boost tourism. If it has boosted tourism, those riders are fortunately not getting injured at a high-rate. Of all the motorcycle crashes studied by IIHS and U-M, 95% of the motorcycles are registered in the state of Michigan.
The silver lining according to Cicchino is that 75% of motorcyclists 21 or older still choose to wear a helmet.
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If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident contact Gerald Thurswell for a free consultation at 1-866-354-5544 today. We have the extensive experience helping motorcycle accident victims and their families in Michigan, and we are here to help you.
Source: Detroit Free Press
