Why you probably need a new helmet after your motorcycle crash

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle crash, you’re probably anxious to get back on your bike as soon as it’s repaired and you’re healed. However, you probably need to get a new helmet.

Helmets are built to protect your head, but they are not intended to withstand more than one impact. If your helmet struck the ground or anything else during the crash, you need to get a new one. 

Why helmets are only meant to protect you for one impact

The helmet may look fine or have a few light scratches that can be buffed out. However, that’s simply the shell. The protection lies in the material that’s between the interior and exterior layers of the shell. It’s a compound called expanded polystyrene (EPS) that absorbs and diffuses energy so that your head doesn’t have to. It’s also found in the bumpers of vehicles.

When the helmet hits a surface – even if it’s a relatively minor impact – some of the beads in the EPS are crushed. That means the helmet has lost some of its protective quality. If you wear it again, you’re risking your safety and maybe your life if you’re in another crash or even fall over on your bike.

That means don’t give the helmet to charity or to anyone else who might wear it thinking that it will protect them. You can save it as a memento of the crash you survived. You can also check around with local retailers to see if they’ll take it for recycling. Then, buy a newer, safer helmet.

A new helmet is just one of the many expenses you’ll have after a crash. If your wreck was caused by another driver, be sure to include the cost of new gear along with your medical bills and other expenses and damages as you work toward the settlement you deserve. Having legal guidance can help you maximize your claim.