Personal Injury Law

Motorcycle Helmet Laws In Louisiana

By Timothy Young

Last year, a bill entered the Louisiana legislature. Its goal was to repeal the Louisiana helmet laws that required motorcyclists to wear helmets. That bill, if passed, would have repealed the mandatory requirement that all motorcyclists use protective headgear. An amendment to the bill also included minimum insurance requirements – making the helmet 'optional' for those that had "'economic only' uninsured motorist liability coverage with minimum limits of $100,000" and are covered by health insurance. The amendment addressed concerns about increases in healthcare costs for the state and taxpayers. Many were concerned that making helmets an issue of choice would leave others holding the tab for heavy medical expenses associated with head injuries from riders who were in accidents when not wearing helmets. The bill failed. But since that time, there has been some confusion about what the law is, and how it is to be followed.

Currently, the helmet law is in effect in Louisiana. Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets for 'on road' driving, regardless of age. However, when 'off-roading', cyclists can legally leave their helmets behind, so long as they are 18 years of age. Of course, it bears noting that the purpose of the helmet law is to reduce the severity of injuries to cyclists that are in accidents. In fact, part of the concern over possibly repealing the law last year focused heavily on concerns about riders not having enough insurance to care for their needs if they were in an accident without a helmet. There are still concerns that riders who choose not to wear a helmet cause everyone to pay higher insurance premiums. However, the 'on road' helmet requirement does keep that from happening in all cases.

If you have more questions about the laws that apply to motorcycles, automobiles and trucks in Louisiana, you can visit here.

Full post as published by New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer on April 24, 2010 (boomark / email).