To avoid accidents and to protect their bodies, motorcyclists must observe safety techniques every time they take a ride.
But this is especially important when riders are carrying child passengers, because children do not have the physical development of adults and are more vulnerable to fractures and broken bones.
And if they suffer concussions during a motorcycle accident, children’s brains are more likely to suffer more extensive and longer-lasting damage.
So as a motorcyclist, what are some safety measures you need to practice to keep child passengers safe? Here are a few essential tips to make every ride as safe as possible.
Helmets Are Necessary for All Child Passengers
You should never carry any passenger – especially a child – without requiring that passenger to wear a helmet.
Although helmets are not foolproof, they do provide an extra layer of protection for the heads of all motorcycle riders.
And according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), you may not have a choice whether your child passenger wears a helmet, because 19 states and the District of Columbia have a universal helmet law.
This means that all motorcyclists and passengers in these 19 states must wear a helmet. An additional 28 states only require motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet in certain instances.
However, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have a motorcycle helmet use law.
But regardless of the state where you live, make sure you buy a helmet for any child passenger, and make sure the helmet is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Invest In Leather Jackets Or Armored Jackets
Leather jackets have been a motorcycle-riding staple for many years, and a good quality motorcycle leather jacket is built to withstand some of the impact that occurs when drivers are thrown off their bikes and skid across the ground.
This type of injury is known as road rash, and strong leather jackets can minimize the effects of abrasions, cuts and scrapes caused when motorcyclists make contact with the ground at high speed.
If you want even higher protection for child passengers, invest in armored leather jackets, which are built with reinforced material that provides extra layers of protection during a fall.
You can also invest in kneepads and hip protectors to ensure that child passengers have the greatest level of protection possible in the event of a fall.
Hiring a Lawyer For Your Motorcycle Claim
Despite these safeguards, motorcyclists and child passengers are much more vulnerable to being hit by cars and trucks, because motorcycles are smaller and more difficult for drivers to see.
If you or a child passenger has suffered serious injuries in an accident that was not your fault, you need the services of an experienced personal injury law firm to help pursue your claim. The team at Fetterman & Associates has the expertise and the resources to obtain rightful compensation on your behalf. Please call us at 561-845-2510 for a free legal consultation.
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