The State of Missouri’s motorcycle helmet law changed in 2020, and many riders are still unsure what the rules require. If you suffered injuries in a crash, you may wonder whether wearing or not wearing a helmet will affect your right to compensation. These are fair questions, and the answers are not always obvious.
You do not have to interpret these rules by yourself. A motorcycle crash lawyer could explain how the rules apply to your situation and protect your claim from unfair arguments. Because St. Louis motorcycle helmet laws may affect how insurers value a case, McCready Law could help you understand how the law applies to your claim.
State law no longer requires every rider to wear a helmet. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 302.020, anyone under 26 who operates or rides on a motorcycle must wear a helmet, as must any rider using an instruction permit, regardless of age. Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 302.026, riders who are 26 or older may go without a helmet only if they carry health insurance that covers injuries from a motorcycle accident. A few key points impact how the motorcycle helmet law in St. Louis works in practice:
These rules can be difficult to understand, and misinterpretation can affect both a traffic citation and an injury claim.
State law follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means a rider’s share of responsibility for the harm can reduce their compensation. In a St. Louis claim involving motorcycle helmet laws, insurers sometimes argue that a rider who was not wearing a helmet made their own injuries worse, especially head injuries, and use that argument to lower a payout.
That claim succeeds only in certain circumstances. A rider who could legally ride without a helmet has a strong response, and even when the law required a helmet, failing to wear one does not automatically determine fault. McCready Law could challenge these tactics, present medical evidence about the true cause of an injury, and keep the focus on the driver who caused the crash.
Motorcycle crashes often cause catastrophic harm, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, and the medical costs can accumulate quickly. Applying helmet laws is only one part of a larger claim that also involves proving fault and documenting the full extent of the injuries.
If helmet rules affect a motorcycle injury claim in St. Louis, attorneys at McCready Law could gather the police report, medical records, and witness statements necessary to build a strong case. That guidance could be especially valuable when an insurer raises the question of helmet use, as the right evidence could help protect a fair recovery.
After a motorcycle wreck, helmet use is only one issue that may affect your injury claim. St. Louis motorcycle helmet laws can be confusing, and you deserve clear answers about how they may affect your right to recover.
McCready Law could review the details of your crash, explain how the law applies, and challenge insurers who try to shift blame. Contact McCready Law and our personal injury lawyers today to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your options.
