Washington — A new study of motorcycle crashes in Michigan shows insurance claims rose dramatically after the state ended its mandatory helmet law in April 2012
The industry-funded Highway Loss Data Institute said Thursday that a review of motorcycle crash claims found total medical claims for Michigan motorcyclists rose by 51 percent after the state ended its mandatory helmet law that had been in effect since 1969.
Most of the jump in claims was because of more serious injuries as a result of motorcycle crashes — the increase in claim severity was 36 percent. Adjusting for the fact that unhelmeted riders must carry higher insurance, medical payments claim severity increased 22 percent, "consistent with expectation that crashes after the law change resulted in more severe injuries as a result of less helmet use," the group said.
"Weakening the helmet law seems to have made it somewhat more likely that riders will sustain injuries, but the big impact has been on the seriousness of the injuries," says David Zuby, chief research officer of HLDI, which is part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Helmets can’t protect against all injuries, but they do help prevent debilitating and often fatal head trauma."
Michigan's law now requires helmet use for riders younger than 21. All others may opt not to wear a helmet if they have either passed a motorcycle safety course or have held the motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license for at least two years. Unhelmeted riders also must carry at least $20,000 in medical coverage — a factor in the jump in total insurance losses.
By: David Shepardson
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