Riding a motorcycle comes with freedom, adrenaline, and unfortunately, significant risk — especially on busy Glendale roads. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering how California’s helmet laws impact your ability to file a claim or recover compensation.

Understanding these laws is important for protecting your rights and ensuring insurance companies don’t use misunderstandings or assumptions to limit your recovery. At ATLAW LLP, we help injured riders navigate the legal process, challenge unfair blame, and pursue the full compensation they may be entitled to.

California’s Universal Helmet Law: What Riders Must Know

California has one of the strictest motorcycle helmet laws in the nation. Under California Vehicle Code § 27803, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required to wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times while operating or riding on a motorcycle.

To comply with the law, the helmet must:

• Meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards
• Fit securely
• Be properly fastened
• Be designed for motorcycle use

These requirements apply everywhere in California — including Glendale, Los Angeles County, and all surrounding areas.

Why Helmet Laws Matter After an Accident

Helmet use doesn’t just protect your safety — it can also influence your injury claim. Insurance companies frequently try to argue that a rider’s injuries would have been “less severe” if they had worn a helmet, even when the facts don’t support that assumption. This is where ATLAW LLP steps in. Our legal team works to challenge biased arguments and ensure that blame isn’t unfairly placed on you.

How Not Wearing a Helmet Could Impact Your Injury Claim

While you can still pursue a claim even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, there are a few ways it may influence the process:

1. Comparative Fault May Apply

California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

If an insurance company claims you contributed to your injuries by not wearing a helmet, they may try to assign you a percentage of blame.

ATLAW LLP pushes back against unfair fault assessments by examining:

• The cause of the crash
• The type of injuries sustained
• Whether a helmet would realistically have prevented or reduced those injuries
• Statements made by witnesses and first responders
• Medical and biomechanical evidence

We fight to ensure fault is assigned fairly and not based on assumptions.

2. The Type of Injury Matters

Helmets are designed to protect the head and brain, not the entire body.

So if your injuries involve:

• Broken legs
• Road rash
• Internal injuries
• Spinal trauma
• Shoulder injuries
• Soft-tissue damage

…helmet use is irrelevant.

ATLAW LLP emphasizes the true cause of your injuries rather than letting insurers control the narrative.

3. You Can Still Recover Damages

Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, California law does not prevent you from seeking compensation.

You may still pursue:

• Medical bills
• Future treatment
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage

Our team at ATLAW LLP gathers evidence, consults with relevant professionals, and builds a case that reflects the full impact of your injuries.

How ATLAW LLP Strengthens Your Glendale Motorcycle Accident Claim

Motorcycle accident cases often involve biased assumptions. Riders are frequently blamed without proper investigation. ATLAW LLP understands these challenges and works to protect injured motorcyclists by:

• Reviewing police reports and accident evidence
• Challenging unfair claims about helmet use
• Analyzing medical documentation
• Speaking with witnesses
• Managing communication with insurance companies
• Building a strong narrative proving the other driver’s negligence

You deserve a law firm that stands up for your rights and understands the realities motorcyclists face every day on Glendale roads.

Why Helmet Use Should Never Be the Only Focus

Even if a rider wasn’t wearing a helmet, the following questions must still be answered:

• Who caused the crash?
• Was the driver distracted or speeding?
• Did the driver fail to yield or check blind spots?
• Was the rider following traffic laws?
• Were road conditions unsafe?

Your claim is not defined by a single factor. ATLAW LLP makes sure the full story is told — not the version the insurance company tries to push.

Injured in a Glendale Motorcycle Accident? ATLAW LLP Is Here for You.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Glendale, you deserve a legal team that will stand up for you and push back against unfair blame. Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, your rights matter and you may still be entitled to compensation.

ATLAW LLP helps riders pursue recovery for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. We take the time to understand your situation and guide you through every step of the legal process.



📞 Call ATLAW LLP today at 818-618-0000
Or visit www.atlawllp.com to schedule your consultation.