If you ride a motorcycle in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, learning about the state’s helmet law is important for both your safety and your legal rights in the event of an accident. Kentucky does not require every rider to wear a helmet, but the rules are more specific than many people realize.
Hendy Johnson Vaughn has been successfully representing injured motorcyclists and their families throughout Kentucky for years. Our Fort Mitchell motorcycle accident attorneys bring decades of combined experience to the table and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the clients we serve.
Contact our law office today at (859) 578-4444 for a free consultation.
How Hendy Johnson Vaughn Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
Motorcycle crashes in Fort Mitchell, KY, produce some of the most devastating injuries on the road. Insurance companies are also notorious for trying to blame riders in these cases. An experienced personal injury attorney on our legal team can step in to ensure you are not taken advantage of during the process.
At Hendy Johnson Vaughn, our Fort Mitchell motorcycle accident lawyers can:
- Investigate the accident and determine who is at fault
- Collect the evidence needed to build a winning claim on your behalf
- Counter any arguments that your helmet use should reduce your compensation
- Work with medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts
- Handle every conversation with the insurance companies involved
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Call our Fort Mitchell personal injury lawyers today to set up your free case review. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for you.
Who Must Wear a Helmet Under Kentucky Law?
Kentucky is what is known as a partial helmet law state. Under KRS § 189.285, only certain riders are legally required to wear a DOT-approved helmet. The law applies to the following groups:
- Riders and passengers under the age of 21
- Anyone operating a motorcycle on an instruction permit
- Operators who have held their motorcycle license for less than one year
Riders who are 21 or older and have held a valid motorcycle license for at least one year are not legally required to wear a helmet. However, all motorcycle operators in Kentucky must wear an approved eye-protection device at all times while the bike is in motion, regardless of age or experience.
How Helmet Use Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim
Choosing to ride without a helmet can be used against you in a personal injury case. Insurance companies routinely argue that a rider’s decision to go without a helmet contributed to the severity of their injuries, most notably in cases involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Kentucky follows a pure comparative negligence law as well that applies to these cases. Under this rule, a person’s compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of fault when their conduct legally contributed to the damages at issue.
Because Kentucky does not require every motorcyclist to wear a helmet, the effect of helmet use or nonuse on a particular injury claim can involve complicated legal and factual questions. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Fort Mitchell can help you sort through these issues.
How Much Is My Kentucky Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors play a role in determining what your case is worth. While more severe injuries generally lead to higher compensation, that is only part of the picture.
Other things that may affect your claim’s value include:
- The total cost of your medical treatment, including future care
- Whether you will be able to return to work at the same capacity
- The extent of your physical pain and emotional suffering
- Whether the other driver was under the influence or acting recklessly
- The strength of the available evidence supporting your case
Having a qualified motorcycle accident attorney on your side can also make a real difference, for example, by effectively leveraging expert assistance and negotiating settlements more effectively.
Contact Our Fort Mitchell Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Motorcycle accidents can leave riders with life-changing injuries and a long road to recovery. You deserve legal representation that understands the unique challenges these cases present and knows how to fight for the full value of your claim.
The Fort Mitchell motorcycle accident attorneys at Hendy Johnson Vaughn have spent decades helping injured riders across the Commonwealth hold negligent drivers liable. Contact us today to schedule your free case review and learn more about your legal options.