Helmets are important!
Wearing a helmet is important because it helps protect your head from injuries, especially while riding bikes, scooters, motorcycles or other vehicles. Not only is it important to wear one while snowmobiling, it is also important to have one while snow skiing, snowboarding or driving an ATV. A helmet can protect you from closed head injuries, which can either be a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can be life changing so everything you can to prevent them.
Another common injury in winter sports is facial injuries. When you think of facial injuries, one usually thinks of cuts that require stitches. Unfortunately, injuries to the face can be much more serious than getting a cut or scar. A broken bone in the face can cause some painful side effects. Some of the most common broken bones in the face include: the nose, cheek and jaw bone. Breaking these bones can cause problems with sight, speech and the ability to swallow. Just like with anything you do, have fun, but remember to stay as safe as possible! Wear a helmet and don’t do anything that puts your life in danger, such as driving too fast or out of control.
Statistics
According to the United States Product Safety Commission, 13,400 people are hospitalized for snowmobile related injuries each year. Unfortunately, 110 of the injuries are fatalities. According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), during the past 10 years, about 41.5 people have died skiing/snowboarding per year on average. In 2012, there were 14 ATV accidents resulting in fatalities in Kentucky. In 12 of these accidents, a helmet was not worn. Please always wear an appropriate helmet.
The law
Many people don’t realize that your personal car insurance may provide coverage if you are injured in any motor vehicle accident. This may include a snowmobile, ATV or a moped. For those with injuries, the PIP coverage from their car insurance may pay for the medical bills. If the accident wasn’t their fault, they may also look to their own underinsured motorist coverage for additional compensation for pain and suffering. If you were injured in an accident involving any type of motor vehicle, it is important that you contact a personal injury attorney to discuss what happened and to look at your car insurance policy.
As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I’d like to remind everyone to wear helmets. It’s not required for drivers or riders over the age of 21 to wear one, but it could save your life. You may think it’s uncool to wear one or maybe you simply choose not to wear one. For whatever reason it may be, you are putting your life at risk. Helmets save people’s lives. Please don’t leave your helmet at home.
For more information contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at The Shafer Law Office today!