Colorado has partial helmet laws, not universal requirements. Whether you must wear a helmet depends on your age and the type of vehicle you are riding. Even when helmets are not required by law, they can still affect injury severity and how an insurance company evaluates a claim.
Give us a call today at (303) 529-9662 or contact us online to talk with a knowledgeable Aurora motorcycle accident lawyer to learn how our firm can help you fight for justice.
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet on a Motorcycle in Colorado?
A helmet is required for motorcycle riders and passengers under age 18. Adults (18+) are not legally required to wear a helmet in Colorado. Colorado also requires eye protection for motorcycle riders, regardless of age. This means goggles or a protective visor that shields your eyes (unless the motorcycle has an appropriate windshield).
Bicycle Helmet Laws in Colorado
Colorado does not have a statewide law that requires helmets for adult bicycle riders. Some local ordinances may require helmets for minors, depending on where you live. Those rules can apply within city limits, even if the statewide law does not require helmets. Check your local city or county rules before you assume what applies.
Helmet Laws for E-Scooters and Other Micromobility Devices
Colorado does not have a consistent statewide helmet requirement for adults on e-scooters and similar devices. Some cities, such as Denver and Boulder, may have helmet rules for minors. Other requirements can come from rental program rules, not just state law. Since the rules can change by location, you should always check the rules where you ride.
How Helmet Use Affects Personal Injury Claims in Colorado
In Colorado, the law usually divides fault among everyone involved in the accident, including the person who is most severely injured. Even if the other driver mostly caused the crash, your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially at fault.
Colorado uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means there is a 50% cut-off. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you generally cannot recover damages. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages but they will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 20% at fault, for example, your award is typically reduced by that percentage.
The case does not end just because you did not wear one, but the defense is likely to argue a helmet could have reduced head trauma or the severity of your harm.
When to Contact an Aurora Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in an accident while riding a motorcycle, e-scooter, or bicycle without a helmet, it’s often a good idea to contact an Aurora personal injury lawyer. The following situations make it especially important:
Serious Injuries (Especially head/brain injuries)
If you have a concussion, loss of consciousness, severe headaches, memory problems, or ongoing dizziness, you should contact a lawyer after you start getting medical care. A lawyer can help make sure the claim doesn’t get treated like a minor injury.
Disputed Liability
If the other side claims they were not at fault, or they suggest you caused the crash, get help. A lawyer can review evidence and complete their own investigation to show who really caused the crash.
Insurance Company Blaming You For Your Injuries
Insurance companies may talk to you right away and ask for your version of what happened. If they are already suggesting you share fault, that can affect the amount you may be offered. A lawyer can handle the communication and push back to try to get you the compensation you are actually owed.
Questions About How Helmet Use Affects Your Claim
If you were not wearing a helmet, the insurance company may try to use that to reduce your payout. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically end your claim in Colorado, but it can come up in how they argue about damages. A lawyer can explain how this impacts your claim and look to see if there are ways to push back against this fact.
Ultimately, helmet rules in Colorado depend on your age and the vehicle you’re on. Contact a Colorado personal injury lawyer today to review what happened and to build a strong claim, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet at 303-625-6643.