New Hampshire is one of only a few U.S. states that does not require licensed motorcyclists to wear helmets and does not have a motorcycle helmet law. While this lack of a law gives New Hampshire motorcyclists the freedom to choose, it also means that the state sees more motorcycle deaths and more money spent on motorcycle injuries than states with universal helmet laws.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Hampshire ranks #41 among U.S. states for the number of lives saved by motorcycle helmet use each year, and #39 among U.S. states for the amount of money saved by motorcycle helmet use each year. In 2008, the CDC estimates that helmet use in New Hampshire saved eight lives and $15 million per 100,000 registered motorcyclists. By contrast, the average U.S. state with a universal helmet law saved 40 lives and $66 million per 100,000 registered motorcycles in 2008. In an era of rapidly rising health care costs, wearing a motorcycle helmet makes good financial sense, as well as adding a layer of protection that makes a biker 40 percent more likely to survive a crash.
Riding a motorcycle in NH is a great thrill, but the same things that make motorcycling exciting also put bikers at a greater risk for serious injuries if a crash occurs. At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured bikers and their families get the compensation they need to recover after a crash. For a free and confidential consultation by phone, call us today at (603) 614-5055.