Katy, TX motorcycle accident attorneys state that our Texas laws contain no absolute requirement that all motorcyclists must wear helmets while out riding. Legally, only somemotorcyclists are required to wear helmets. Read our informational post on just who must wear a motorcycle helmet under Texas law to learn more about the legal requirements affecting you.
But whether the law requires you to wear a motorcycle helmet or not when you ride, it’s always a good idea to take that extra precaution if you care about your safety. On Wednesday evening, witnesses observed a biker entering Highway 290 near Fairbanks North Houston at high speed (estimated around 100 mph), weaving in and out of traffic, and then slamming into the back of a moving 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler never stopped, and continued on along the highway, perhaps unaware that a much smaller vehicle had even hit the back of his trailer. Inbound lanes of the Northwest Freeway remained closed for hours while police investigated the Highway 290 motorcycle accident.
Our Katy, TX motorcycle accident attorneys note that the rider of the motorcycle reportedly did not have a helmet on when he crashed into the back of the truck. The motorcyclist received transport to the hospital in serious condition. News accounts of the incident state that the rider is expected to survive his injuries, but they do not state whether he will be impaired by brain damage or other injuries.
An impact with a much larger object at speeds around 100 mph could easily kill a biker, even if he is wearing a helmet. Without a helmet, injuries are almost certainly going to be severe and costly, leaving permanent disability and/or disfigurement in their wake. The effects of traumatic brain injuries can linger and continue to affect victims, even killing them years after a wreck. This is true even where the injury apparently heals and the injured biker recovers to continue his life as normal for a time.
Sports medicine experts have begun to take note of the lingering effects of traumatic brain injury in athletes. A series of sudden deaths in retired athletes who experienced their brain injuries years, even decades earlier, has raised concerns regarding the hidden effects of these injuries in victims.
Our Katy, TX motorcycle accident attorneys reiterate: Don’t take chances with your life and health. Wear your helmet when you ride our Texas roads.