Depending on your circumstances where you live, what your financial situation is, what your occupation is you may drive a different vehicle than most. The majority of people tend to drive passenger cars, but some prefer motorcycles for their fuel efficiency or other reasons. In New York City, it is not uncommon to see many people on bicycles. There are many benefits to riding bicycles, including exercise and health, reduction in your carbon footprint and, of course, bicycles are much cheaper than cars and motorcycles.
Motorcyclists often worry about the laws regarding helmets in their state, and bicyclists tend to face the same question. While it is always recommended to wear a helmet simply for personal safety, whether or not you are legally required to is not always clear, primarily because the law varies by state. If you find yourself involved in a bicycle accident, you could suffer serious brain damage without a helmet. Additionally, if you are legally required to wear a helmet, and you ride a bike without one, you could face legal penalties.
In New York, children under the age of 14 are required to wear helmets, as are working cyclists. This means that if you are riding a bike for your job, such as delivering goods or transporting others for a fee, then you must wear a helmet. For others, such as recreation riders, helmets are not required, but again, they are always recommended.
It is important to remember that just because you are not wearing a helmet does not necessarily mean that you cannot take advantage of other rights. For example, if you are injured in an accident in which you were not at fault, you could still be entitled to compensation even if you were not wearing a legally required helmet. If you are injured in a bicycle accident in New York, consider meeting with an attorney to learn how you can build a case to recover compensation for your injury.