Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can reduce the risk of fatal or catastrophic head injuries if an accident occurs. However, are motorcycle helmets required in Alabama? What is the Alabama helmet law for motorcycle riders? Is riding a motorcycle without a helmet illegal, and can it affect an insurance claim if you’re in an accident without a helmet?
Does Alabama Have a Helmet Law?
Alabama has what motorcycle riders call a “universal helmet law.” According to the Alabama Motorcycle Operator Manual, all riders and passengers are required to wear helmets at all times when riding, regardless of their age or experience with motorcycles.
What Happens If You Ride Without a Helmet in Alabama?
Per section 32-12-44 of the Alabama Code, not wearing a helmet while riding is a misdemeanor. The penalties for not following the law include a fine of up to $100, up to 180 days in jail, or both. Jail time is unlikely for a first offense, but possible for repeat offenses.
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet also significantly increases your chances of dying or suffering permanent brain damage in a collision. CDC research indicates helmets reduce the risk of death in a crash by 37 percent and the risk of head injuries by 69 percent.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Alabama?
Lane splitting, which involves riding between two lanes of stopped or slow traffic, is illegal in Alabama. Many riders argue that lane splitting helps prevent collisions by improving traffic flow and making it easier to avoid becoming trapped, but the practice is still illegal under the law.
However, two motorcycles can ride side-by-side in a single lane. This practice can help keep riders safe by making them more visible to others on the road.
Is a Motorcycle License Required in Alabama?
You need a motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement for a standard driver’s license to ride a motorcycle in Alabama. You can apply for a motorcycle license or endorsement once you turn 16, though you can apply for a motorcycle permit once you turn 14.
You must pass a written exam and a road skills test to get your motorcycle endorsement or license. The state also recommends you take a motorcycle safety course, but it isn’t mandatory. You must also pay a fee and provide proof of your Alabama residency and identity.
Can Helmet Use Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
Whether you were wearing a helmet when a crash happened doesn’t change who caused the collision and your resulting injuries. Therefore, your helmet use shouldn’t affect your legal case.
In practice, though, an insurance company will likely use the fact that you weren’t wearing a helmet against you. They may argue that you caused your injuries or made them worse, meaning they shouldn’t pay your claim or that they don’t owe you full compensation. A Birmingham motorcycle accident attorney can push back against these unfair tactics to help you recover the money you need.
Contact Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Learn More
While Collins Law, LLC, encourages all motorcycle riders to use helmets, we also know that not wearing a helmet doesn’t make you liable for a motorcycle crash. We’re here to protect your interests and fight to hold whoever caused your injuries accountable. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with our Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer.
