Does Georgia Have A Helmet Law

Georgia Helmet Laws and Regulations

A Brief Overview of Georgia’s Motorcycle Helmet Law

Georgia has one of the country’s strictest and most comprehensive helmet laws. It was the second state to pass a universal helmet law after North Carolina. Georgia Code § 40-6-315 sits at the core of Georgia’s motorcycle helmet laws. Below is a summary of the law’s provisions:

• No person can ride a motorcycle unless they wear a helmet that complies with the standards established by the public safety commissioner. These standards, according to Rule 570-13-.02, are the same as those established by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
• No person can drive a motorcycle without windshields unless they have DOT-approved eye protection.
• This law doesn’t apply if you ride an enclosed cab (cabin scooter, quadricycle) or motorized cart. It also doesn’t apply if you ride a three-wheeled motorcycle for agricultural purposes.

As mentioned above, Georgia has a universal helmet law that applies to all motorcycle operators, regardless of the rider’s age, experience, and bike type. The law applies also to passengers and out-of-state riders on Georgia’s public roads.

Georgia requires motorcycle helmets to meet DOT-related standards referenced in Rule 570-13-.02, and compliant helmets are typically labeled accordingly.

Motorcycle Helmet Violations and Penalties

Helmets and Headgear Standards Set by Georgia Motorcycle Laws

Understanding the Importance of Motorcycle Helmets

Helmets seem bulky and intrusive to your motorcycle riding experience. However, wearing a helmet might be the difference between life and death. Here are a few reasons why you should always wear a helmet while out on the road:

Meeting the Legal Requirement

Like other Georgia motorcycle laws, wearing a helmet is mandatory. Failure to do so could result in severe legal consequences, including fines, jail time, and community service.

Reducing the Risk of a Head Injury

According to the NHTSA, head injuries are the leading cause of death and severe injuries in motorcycle crashes. 

Protecting You from Debris and the Elements

Dust, bugs, and other debris can fly into your eye, obscuring your vision. The same goes for heavy rain, wind, and harsh sun glare. Wearing protective headgear and eyewear protects you from debris and the elements and, in turn, from accidents.

Common Motorcycle Accidents Injuries 

How Violating Helmet Law Affects Your Right to Compensation

Under Georgia law, the liable party for an accident is required to pay the victim’s damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. However, liability is determined following the modified comparative negligence rule.

According to this rule, the victim can only recover compensation if their fault is less than 50 percent. Moreover, their compensation is reduced by the percentage of their fault, that is, how much they contributed to their own injury.

If you sustained a brain injury in a motorcycle accident and you were not wearing a helmet, you may not be able to recover compensation for any damages related to this particular injury. This is because you could have prevented such injury by abiding by the law and wearing an approved helmet.

Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer at Your Service!

Riding on a motorcycle lets you take in Georgia’s leafy squares and oak-line streets to their fullest. However, without a motorcycle helmet, pure bliss could turn into a hospital trip in seconds. Georgia’s motorcycle helmet laws are designed to keep you safe. Failing to follow them puts you at risk of serious injury, legal repercussions, and potentially losing your right to compensation in the event of an accident.

Protect your right to full compensation with the help of our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer at The Dressie Law Firm, LLC. If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, we are here to give you the needed legal representation to help you secure fair compensation. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation.