If you’re preparing to ride a motorcycle in Alabama, be sure to wear a helmet, and not just for safety’s sake. The Alabama motorcycle helmet law applies universally. This means all riders and passengers on both motorcycles and scooters must wear approved protective headgear.
What Is Alabama’s Motorcycle Helmet Law?
Alabama law requires anyone who operates or rides on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle to wear a helmet, and unlike some states, Alabama’s law doesn’t have different rules based on a person’s age. Parents or guardians may not knowingly allow a juvenile to ride without a helmet. All motorcycle helmets must comply with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, fit snugly, and have no obvious defects or damage.
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.
Are There Any Exceptions in Alabama?
Yes, the Alabama motorcycle laws for helmet use have some narrow exceptions. The helmet requirement doesn’t apply to people riding within an enclosed cab. It also doesn’t apply to the operator of an autocycle, which Alabama law defines separately from a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
However, outside those situations, the helmet law applies to all riders and passengers. A rider shouldn’t assume that their age, their experience, the fact that they’re taking a short trip, or the fact that they’re riding at low speed creates an exception.
What About Mopeds, Scooters, and Motorized Bicycles in Alabama?
Alabama’s helmet requirement for motorcyclists also applies to individuals operating or riding on many smaller powered vehicles. The state’s definition of motor-driven cycles includes certain motor scooters, motorcycles with lower horsepower, and bicycles with a motor attached.
Riders should look at how their vehicle is classified under Alabama law, not just what it’s commonly called. Mopeds, scooters, and gas-powered motorized bicycles may fall under the state’s helmet rules if they meet the definition of a motor-driven cycle.
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.
How Helmet Use Affects Your Personal Injury Claim in Alabama
Helmet use can become an issue after a motorcycle or scooter crash. Insurers may take an especially close look at whether a rider was wearing a helmet if they suffered a head, face, or neck injury. One key reason why is that Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule. Under this law, an injured person who’s found partly responsible for the harm they suffered can be barred from recovering compensation.
With this in mind, if you were involved in an accident while riding and weren’t wearing a helmet, the other party’s insurance company may argue that failing to wear a helmet made your injuries worse. However, that argument doesn’t automatically decide the claim. Who caused the crash, whether the helmet law applied, what injuries you suffered, whether you were practicing safety when driving the motorcycle, and whether helmet use would have changed the outcome will all play a role.
If you got hurt in a motorcycle or scooter crash, an Alabama motorcycle accident attorney from Collins Law, LLC, can help you understand your legal rights and options, pursue the compensation you deserve, and push back against unfair attempts to blame you for your injuries. Contact our office today to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
