Children under 12 years old are required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle in Oak Lawn. After the age of 12, they are free to ride their bike with or without a helmet. However, it is always a good idea to wear a helmet whenever an individual rides a bicycle because of the chance of falling off of the bike and striking their head. A helmet will help prevent long-term permanent injury in such a circumstance. There are no laws which require helmets to be worn by motorcycle riders.
If you are unsure about the Oak Lawn bicycle helmet laws, individuals should reach out to a knowledgeable attorney. A diligent bicycle accident attorney could help you understand your legal rights and how the helmet requirements could apply to your case.
The Oak Lawn bicycle helmet laws require children under the age of 12 to wear helmets when they are riding their bikes. Whether they are riding them on private property or on the road, they must wear helmets if they are younger than 12 years old. A parent could be potentially held responsible if the child is not wearing a helmet. However, once they pass that age, there is no requirement to wear a helmet any further.
Since there is little protection between the person on the bicycle and the point of impact, a helmet can be an important safety device. If a bicyclist is in an accident and falls off of a bike, it is common for the bicyclist to strike their head. If there is no protection, it means the skull will come into direct contact with an object. A bicycle helmet is designed to lessen the effects of a blow to the head. Riders should always wear a helmet while riding a bike.
Bicyclists should always purchase a certified bicycle helmet. There are legal requirements for the manufacture and sale of bicycle helmets. Once a bicycle helmet is purchased, it is important to make sure that it is worn properly. The strap should be tight underneath the chin, and there should be no movement of the helmet.
It is also essential to make sure that the helmet is in good working order prior to riding a bike. If any of the parts or straps appear worn or broken, they should throw the helmet away and get a new one. It is almost as dangerous to wear a faulty helmet as not wearing one at all. If a faulty helmet contributes to an injury after an accident, a person could potentially file a defective helmet claim with the manufacturer.
The rules regarding helmets while riding a bicycle do not make a distinction as to where the person is riding a bike. In other words, whether they are riding on a riding trail or the roadway, the law is the same. Although there is no legal requirement to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle if an individual is over 12 years old, if there is an accident, this fact can impact the ultimate recovery.
Many people believe that they should wear a helmet even if it is not legally required. If there is an accident and the injuries may have been prevented by wearing a helmet, that factor can also be taken into consideration. Although there are not many Oak Lawn bicycle helmet laws, the failure to wear a helmet in a bike accident can lessen the amount of recovery from the case. Injured individuals should seek help from a seasoned attorney to learn about the immediate steps to take following a collision.
Although there is no legal requirement to wear a helmet on a bike over the age of 12, the use of safety protection could help an individual recover more compensation for damages. If the defendant alleges that the plaintiff contributed to their injuries by not wearing a helmet, that could reduce the injured claimant’s compensation award. Injured individuals should reach out to an experienced bike accident attorney to learn about the Oak Lawn bicycle helmet laws and how it could affect their claim.
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By: Lakida Henderson
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