Philadelphia Motorcycle Rider Dies From Head Injuries Sustained In An Accident - Could The Use Of A Helmet Prevented His Death?
A Philadelphia motorcycle accident occurred over the weekend. A motorcycle driver was traveling South on Broad Street when a car traveling North on Broad Street attempted a left turn onto Hunting Park Avenue. The motorcycle collided with the turning car causing the motorcyclist to sustain head injuries and die. The motorcycle driver was not wearing a helmet. This is obviously very tragic but it keeps the debate going as to whether there should be a law mandating riders to wear a helmet.
I previously wrote a blog titled Pennsylvania Motor Cycle Head Injuries On The Rise in which a University of Pittsburgh study showed a 32 percent increase in motorcycle related head injury deaths and a 42 percent increase in motorcycle related head injury hospitalizations since the repeal of Pennsylvania's Helmet Law.
However, upon further research, the issue is not as easy as just buying a helmet. Motorcycle helmets are so complex. For instance, if a helmet is too stiff it can be less able to prevent brain injury in the kinds of crashes you're most likely to have. And if it's too soft, it might not protect you in a violent, high-energy crash.
So, how does a motorcycle helmet work? A motorcycle helmet has two major parts: the outer shell and the energy-absorbing inner liner. The inner lining is made of expanded polystyrene, the same stuff used in foam coffee cups.
The shell is there for a number of reasons. First, it's supposed to protect against pointy things trying to penetrate the inner lining. Second, the shell protects against abrasions, which is a good thing when you're sliding down the roadway.
The part of the helmet that absorbs most of the energy in a crash is actually the inner liner.
When the helmet hits the road or a curb, the outer shell stops instantly. Inside, your head keeps going until it collides with the liner. When this happens, the liner's job is to bring the head to a gentle stop.
It is recommended by the CDC that all motorcycle riders wear approved helmets. In my Personal Injury Law Firm, I have seen many motorcycle riders sustain serious head injuries due to the need to feel "free", i.e. not wearing a helmet. There is no way to know whether this recent Philadelphia Motorcycle rider would have survived this crash, however, statistics show he has a much better chance with an appropriate helmet.
