An Independence woman, traveling with her husband and two others, survived a highway motorcycle accident while returning to Kansas City from a trip to the east coast. To the left is a photo of the helmet that likely saved her from serious injury or death.
The accident occurred on Interstate 64 in southern Illinois when the rear axle of her trike broke in half. Although she was propelled to the pavement from her trike and suffered severe orthopedic injuries, the DOT approved helmet she was wearing saved her from major head trauma. She was life-flighted to St. Louis University Hospital and now is recovering at home.
The Missouri victim, who was aware that Illinois motorcyclists are not required to wear a helmet, states that she “has always worn a helmet” when on her trike. Illinois and Iowa are the only two states that do not have a helmet requirement for motorcyclists.
Although Missouri does have a full mandatory helmet law for all riders, Kansas City Injury Lawyer Doug Horn says that some Missouri lawmakers are trying to change the law that requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. “Several months ago I testified in Jefferson City against a bill designed to repeal the helmet law. It is cases like these that have convinced me that Missouri’s mandatory helmet law works just fine and should not be repealed”, Horn said.
Horn, a traffic safety advocate, says that all motorists, especially motorcyclists, are facing a “new universe of roadway risk”. He accounts for this by pointing to an increasing number of drivers who are driving distracted, aggressive, and impatient. As a result, his safety organization, Drive By Example, is working to reduce the types of collisions that cause serious injury and death by urging all drivers to protect themselves by driving alert, buckled, and cautious.
