Do Motorcycle Passengers Need Helmets?

Undoubtedly, a motorcycle helmet is a crucial need for every rider. But what about passengers, and does their safety not matter? And that’s why the main question arises, do motorcycle passengers need helmets?

According to California Vehicle Code 27803, passengers must wear helmets while riding. Under this law, the passenger has to wear a motorbike helmet that meets federal helmet safety standards. And it will be against the law if the passenger doesn’t wear a helmet. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can get essential knowledge about motorcycle helmets for free.

Do Motorcycle Passengers Need Helmets?

Many people all around the US still think that they don’t need to wear a helmet if they’re sitting behind the rider on the motorcycle. 

And that’s why the main question arises among the beginner rider if the passenger behind them needs to wear a helmet or not. 

Almost all around the globe, passengers behind the rider on the motorbike need to wear a helmet. Doing this not only ensures passenger safety for riders too. 

For example, according to California Vehicle Code 27803, passengers must wear helmets while riding. 

Under this law, the passenger has to wear a motorbike helmet that meets federal helmet safety standards. 

And it will be against the law if the passenger doesn’t wear a helmet. 

Even in many states, there’s a penalty for those passengers who don’t wear a helmet while riding. 

In simpler words, to protect yourself from a penalty and any injury, the passenger needs to wear a motorcycle helmet. 

Do Motorcycle Helmets Save Lives?

So far, you understand why passengers need to wear motorcycle helmets. Now the question is, do motorcycles really save lives? 

Motorcycle helmets are probably the most essential thing that you should include in your motorcycle gear list. 

Helmets protect you from any life-threatening head injuries.

But let’s not reach a conclusion yet; I’ve some studies to show which can clear any doubt you might have. 

National Highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) published a report concluding that helmets saved more than 1800 riders’ lives in 2016. 

In the same report, NHTSA claimed that 809 people could also save their lives if they wore a helmet, but unfortunately, they didn’t wear it while riding.

You can see the report here on page number 8.

Motorcycle helmets proved to be 37% effective for motorbike riders and 41% for motorbike passengers. 

Think in this way, every 37 riders and 41 motorbike passengers could have saved their lives if they wore helmets. 

NHTSA also published a report in 2017 concluding, the US alone can save more than $1 billion if all riders wear motorcycle helmets. 

And our government could use this $1 billion for better use. 

You can see the report here.

Another non-profitable organization combined more than 60 studies. The final result in 2008 concluded that helmets can reduce death caused by severe accidents by 42%. 

And can reduce the risk of severe injuries by 69%. 

You can read the study in detail on Pubmed NIH.

However, in the above studies, I didn’t find the effect of helmets on neck and cheek injuries. 

These studies also have insufficient data concluding the effect of helmet types on head injuries. 

More studies are still needed on the impact of helmet types on head injuries.  

Overall, motorcycle helmets do save lives. 

What Happens if you Crash Without Motorcycle Helmets? 

You just read how important a motorbike helmet is. Let’s see what happens if you crash without a motorcycle helmet.

Without a motorcycle helmet, you’ll face life-threatening head traumatic injuries which might take your life. It will impact your financial situation too, which is more true if you’re the only earner in your family. Insurance companies will consider you partially faulty; thus, you wouldn’t claim your insurance too. 

Intelligent are those who learn lessons from others’ past experiences, and I think this is even more true if it’s about your precious life. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

I’m dividing the answer into two parts:

1. Medical problems. 
2. Financial Problems. 

Medical Problems: 

If you ever encounter severe life-threatening head injuries, then it’s confirmed that you will spend your months in hospital.

Maybe you will have multiple head surgeries, which might reduce your ability to think and learn. Or even, you might not ride your motorbike again ever. 

If you’re the only earner in your family, the situation gets worse because hospitals charge you thousands of dollars.

Financial Problems: 

Unpaid bills may force you to think about insurance settlements, but unfortunately, you might not even claim your insurance. 

And the situation may become worse if you live in a state like Wahington. Why? Because Washington is a negligence jurisdiction (RCW 4.22.005). 

It means you’ll consider a person who is liable for your own injuries. Suppose you failed to take the necessary steps to protect yourself from severe head injuries. 

In that case, you’ll be considered partially faulty for your own damage. 

Insurance companies will use your situation as an excuse. It might be possible they will reduce your settlement cost by half. 

Even if you win the settlement war, you also have to settle for half the settlement cost for your own damage. 

Overall it doesn’t mean you won’t get the settlement amount for your own damage. 

You can still claim your settlement, just don’t forget to call an excellent experienced motorcycle accident attorney before claiming your settlement. 

So, I hope now you know what happens when you crash without a motorbike helmet. 

And the best thing about this, you can avoid the whole situation by purchasing and wearing a good motorbike helmet. 

Buy and wear a motorcycle helmet, before you miss the boat. 

How Motorcycle Helmets Should Fit?

You have to buy a properly fitted helmet that acts as a barrier between your head and the impact for maximum security. So how should motorcycle helmets fit? 

A motorcycle helmet should fit in a way so that it isn’t too tight to stop blood flow to your brain. Also, it shouldn’t be too loose so that it starts to wiggle at high speed. That’s why don’t forget to test your motorbike helmet fitting while buying it. 

Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

Ideally, when you move your head, a suitable helmet will also move with your head. 

The suitable motorbike helmet won’t press your head like a watermelon which might slow blood flow to your brain. 

Otherwise, slow blood flow caused by a tight helmet will make you faint when riding. On the other hand, a loose helmet will start to wiggle out while riding at high speed. 

Also, a loose helmet will be removed from your head if it doesn’t tie properly. 

How You Can Increase Safety with Motorcycle Helmets?

There are specific ways through which you can maximize your security against any life-threatening impact. 

Tips to Increase Safety	Details.
Choose helmet material wisely.	Cheap plastic helmets aren’t safe and will contribute to life-threatening injury instead of protecting you.
Choose the lightweight option.	The lightweight helmet option will help you wear a helmet all day long, thus protecting you from life-threatening situations.
Go for a good-quality visor helmet.	A helmet with a good visor will protect you from UV rays, dust, debris, and insects from going inside your eyes.

Choose Helmet Material Wisely: 

Many helmets in the market are not worth buying; they are made from cheap plastic that can’t be broken down easily during an accident. 

I always recommend buying a helmet made from heavy-duty plastic, or you can simply go with a helmet that comes with a safety rating. 

Choose Lightweight Option: 

The most significant reason riders hate wearing helmets is that they are too heavy, which causes neck pain when worn for a longer time.

You can purchase a lightweight yet robust material helmet that is lightweight and doesn’t cause you neck pain.

Go for a Good Visor Helmet: 

A helmet visor not only protects you from life-threatening eye injuries but also protects your eyes from dust, debris, and insects from going inside your eyes. 

You can go with a UV protector and anti-fog visor, which protects your eyes from UV rays and helps you to see clearly even in winter. 

Also, read my previous post where I’ve discussed some motorbike gears which you can include in your wishlist. Click here to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Do motorcycle passengers need helmets? According to California Vehicle Code 27803, passengers must wear helmets while riding. 

Under this law, the passenger has to wear a motorbike helmet that meets federal helmet safety standards. And it will be against the law if the passenger doesn’t wear a helmet.

Before buying a helmet for yourself, you need to consider the helmet’s weight, visor, and comfortability. 

Doing this not only helps you to achieve the best safety but also great comfortability.