Goose Creek Bicycle Helmet Laws

Goose Creek bicycle helmet laws govern who has to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. When you head out for a trip on your bike, whether you’re planning a steady ride through the park or a brisk ride to work, taking those laws into account can help protect you, not only from injury but from the financial repercussions associated with a serious accident.

A bicycle accident lawyer from Miller | Conway can help you understand helmet laws and the impact they can have on you. Born and raised in the area, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience working with members of the community and fighting for their rights.

Are There Helmet Requirements in South Carolina?

Goose Creek does not mandate helmet use for bike riders of any age, as laid out by the state laws of South Carolina. However, it is heavily encouraged that bike riders wear a helmet regardless, both for safety and for legal protection in case of an accident.

Riders who wear a helmet should make sure that the helmet is properly fitted. The helmet should sit low on the forehead, with the straps adjusted to form a “Y” under the ears. It should buckle snugly on the chin, without extra room for movement.

The Importance of Wearing a Helmet

While Goose Creek bicycle helmet use is not required by law, wearing a helmet is critical any time you head out on your bicycle. A bicycle helmet can substantially reduce the risk of major injuries in an accident, including:

• Lacerations to the face
• Brain trauma
• Spinal cord damage at the neck

If you are to sustain these injuries, a helmet can still reduce their severity. For many bike riders, helmets can lead to a significantly improved quality of life following an accident. Unsurprisingly, failure to wear a helmet can also increase the risk of death when a bike accident occurs.

How Helmet Use Affects Injury Claims

While Goose Creek residents do not have to wear a helmet to legally ride a bicycle, failure to do so can have repercussions in the event of an accident. As part of an injury claim, insurance companies will carefully assess responsibility for the accident. South Carolina uses a comparative fault model for determining damages in an injury claim. That means a rider can share responsibility for an accident and receive reduced reimbursement; if a rider is found more than 50% at fault for the accident, they will be barred from claiming any money.

Insurance companies may argue that failure to wear a helmet is an act of negligence on the part of the bike rider, which can leave the rider partially responsible for the injuries they sustained in the accident. A lawyer can help you assess whether you share responsibility for the bicycle accident, if you can still recover monetary damages, and how much you can claim.

Discuss Goose Creek Bicycle Helmet Laws with an Attorney

Goose Creek bicycle helmet laws may not mandate helmet use, but wearing a helmet can go a long way toward protecting yourself in the event of an accident. An experienced lawyer who understands local laws can help you understand the damages you suffered and the money you have the right to claim. Reach out to Miller | Conway today for your consultation.