Nevada Helmet Law

Safety is essential when riding a motorcycle, and a helmet is by far the most important piece of safety gear. They have the ability to reduce the overall risk of dying in an accident by 37 percent. That is why many states, including Nevada, have helmet laws in place that require motorcyclists and passengers to wear one. 

Current Helmet Laws in Nevada

All motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets on public roadways, in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) § 486.231. The helmets also have to meet strict federal safety standards, or motorcyclists will be penalized with a fine. Additionally, glasses, goggles, or a protective face shield must be worn, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a transparent windscreen. This law also applies to mopeds and trimobiles that have handlebars and a saddle seat. The only exceptions to Nevada’s helmet law are for three-wheel vehicles with enclosed cabs and steering wheels, and for motorcycles or mopeds that are part of a parade that a local authority has authorized. 

Helmet Requirements

Motorcycle helmets must meet the following safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation: 

• It must weigh at least three pounds. Unsafe helmets typically weight only one pound or less. 
• There is an inner liner that has a layer of firm polystyrene foam that is at least one inch thick. This may not be visible, but its thickness can still be felt. 
• Sturdy chin straps with rivets.
• Any external components or decorations do not extend further than two-tenths of an inch from the helmet’s surface.
• The helmet has a manufacturer’s label with the name, model, size, month and year it was manufactured, and the type of materials used.
• A “DOT” sticker is on the back of the helmet, certifying compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards. Novelty helmet sellers may give motorcyclists counterfeit DOT stickers to place on a non-compliant helmet, which is why all the other standards must be observed to distinguish if a helmet is safe. 

The Impact of Helmets on Liability

Since no one can legally operate a motorcycle without a helmet in Nevada, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident while not wearing one, it could be difficult to recover damages. The reason being that to be awarded compensation after an accident, you, or your personal injury lawyer, must prove that the at-fault party’s negligence was the cause of your injuries. In defense, the other party may deny or fight the claim by alleging that your own negligence was what caused your injuries, as a helmet could have prevented them. Because of Nevada’s law on comparative negligence, if a jury finds you to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident and injuries, you will be barred from recovering any amount of damages.

Speak with an Experienced attorney

For more information on Nevada state laws regarding wearing a helmet, or if you believe you have an injury claim, speak to an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers. Call (702) 384-1414 or toll-free at 1-800-393-2350 today to learn your legal options. We will review your case for free.