Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
If you ride a motorcycle, wearing a helmet is not just a matter of avoiding a ticket, but a matter of safety. Helmet use can also affect how an insurance company treats your claim after a motorcycle crash. Understanding Waterford motorcycle helmet laws will help you stay compliant with the law while protecting your rights if something goes wrong.
Make sure you know what the newest laws say about who must wear a helmet, how the law treats passengers and visitors, and what to do if a collision happens.
Connecticut raised the helmet requirement so that anyone under age 21 on a motorcycle (including both drivers and passengers) must wear a helmet. Helmets are not the only requirement in Waterford. Eye protection is required if a motorcycle does not have a windshield. Riders must wear approved face shields, googles, or glasses that meet the state’s vision-protection standards.
These requirements apply to Connecticut residents and any visitors riding through the state. Connecticut laws apply to Connecticut roads, no matter where you are riding in from.
A compliant helmet is typically DOT-certified. Look for the DOT mark and manufacturer labeling on the back and inside of the helmet. Avoid novelty helmets. They often have thin shells and no energy-absorbing liner, and could earn riders a citation.
For eye protection, the items must be designed to shield the eyes and use shatter-resistant lenses. Many riders prefer a full-face shield for wind and debris, while others will use goggles with a half helmet. Either may be compliant, as long as the items meet the state’s performance standards for impact and coverage.
Before you get on the back of a motorcycle in Waterford, make sure you follow these rules related to head protection:
If you are in a crash, the first priority is to move out of traffic and call 911. Get checked by EMS or go to the ER, even if you feel okay. Head and eye injuries can get worse hours after an accident, and starting a paper trail of medical care is essential for insurance claims later on. Save the helmet and eyewear (do not throw them away). Note nearby cameras and ask someone to photograph the scene and your gear. Ask the police for an incident number so you can retrieve the police report later.
It is also strongly recommended that you get legal guidance before giving a recorded statement to an insurer. A local attorney can help preserve evidence and ensure official conversations do not interfere with a potential claim in the future.
Knowing Waterford motorcycle helmet laws makes rides safer. Following the law and wearing the right gear can keep the focus where it belongs if another driver’s actions end up causing an accident and leaving you with injuries.
If a driver’s mistake put you on the ground, keep your gear, get medical care, and let Polito & Harrington handle the rest. Contact us today for a free, no-pressure case review, and remember: there is no fee until we win your case.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
