Motorcycle Accidents and Helmet Laws in Utah: How Not Wearing a Helmet Affects Your Claim

Introduction

Riding a motorcycle through Utah's winding canyons or open highways can be an exhilarating experience. The freedom of the ride, however, comes with real risks. Motorcycle riders are significantly more vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash than drivers or passengers in closed vehicles. This vulnerability makes helmets a critical safety tool—but not a legal requirement for all riders in Utah.

Utah’s motorcycle helmet laws are unique. Riders under the age of 21 are legally required to wear helmets, but for those 21 and older, helmets are optional. This legal distinction can have significant implications for personal injury claims following a motorcycle accident. This blog explores how helmet use (or the lack thereof) interacts with Utah's legal framework and how it can affect your ability to recover damages if you're involved in a crash.

Utah’s Helmet Law Overview

Under Utah Code §41-6a-1505, all motorcycle operators and passengers under the age of 21 must wear a helmet that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards. This means the helmet must be DOT-approved, designed for motorcycle use, and properly fitted.

For adult riders 21 and older, helmet use is a personal choice. Utah law does not require them to wear a helmet. Many riders over 21 still choose to wear helmets for safety reasons—and with good reason. Studies consistently show that helmets dramatically reduce the risk of fatality and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the event of an accident. But for those who choose to ride without a helmet, Utah law protects their right to make that decision without legal penalty.

Helmet Use and Injury Claims

One of the most critical protections in Utah law for adult motorcyclists is that not wearing a helmet cannot be used against you in a civil personal injury claim. In other words, if you're 21 or older and are hit by another vehicle while riding without a helmet, the fact that you weren't wearing one cannot be used to reduce or deny your compensationin court.

This legal approach is similar to how many states treat seat belt use in car accidents. The idea is simple: personal safety choices that are not legally required shouldn't interfere with a victim's ability to recover damages when someone else caused the crash. Utah law prevents juries and insurance companies from unfairly blaming motorcyclists simply because they exercised their legal right not to wear a helmet.

Practical Effect on Injury Claims

This distinction is especially important when head injuries are involved. Let’s say a motorcyclist is riding legally without a helmet and suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being struck by a distracted driver. In Utah, the driver at fault remains fully liable for all injuries caused—including those related to the rider’s head trauma.

The defendant cannot argue, "You made your injuries worse by not wearing a helmet," if the rider was over 21 and compliant with the law. This means victims can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Long-term rehabilitation or therapy

• Diminished quality of life

  
  

Important Exception for Riders Under 21

There is an important caveat to all this: if the injured motorcyclist is under 21 and was not wearing a helmet, the legal landscape changes. Because helmet use is mandatory for those under 21, failure to comply could be considered negligence per se (a legal concept meaning that breaking a safety law implies negligence).

This could result in a reduced recovery or even denial of compensation, especially if it can be proven that helmet use would have reduced or prevented the injury. Insurance companies may also be more aggressive in denying claims involving underage riders who were not helmeted.

Insurance and Helmet Issues

While Utah law protects helmetless riders in court, things can get murkier when dealing with insurance companiesoutside of litigation. Some insurance policies—particularly for medical payments (med-pay) or personal injury protection (PIP)—may include clauses that limit or exclude coverage for motorcyclists who are not wearing helmets.

Although rare, these clauses could impact your payout after an accident. That’s why it’s important to:

• Read the fine print in your motorcycle insurance policy

• Ask your insurer if helmet use affects coverage

• Consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) protection

  
  

There are also practical realities in wrongful death cases. If a rider is killed in a motorcycle accident and was not wearing a helmet, the at-fault party’s insurer might argue that certain injuries were "unavoidable" due to helmet non-use. However, under Utah law, this should not reduce the value of a wrongful death claim, especially when the rider was legally allowed to ride without a helmet.

Safety and Damages: Why Helmets Still Matter

Even though Utah law shields adult riders from liability for riding without a helmet, the safety implications are undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Helmets reduce the risk of death by about 37%

• Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%

  
  

Motorcycle crashes often result in severe injuries due to the lack of a protective frame. Head injuries, in particular, can lead to permanent disability or long-term cognitive impairment.

From a damages standpoint, motorcycle accident victims can seek full compensation for:

• Emergency medical care and hospital stays

• Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy

• Lost income from missed work

• Reduced future earning capacity

• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

  
  

Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, these damages remain fully available to riders 21 and older. That said, wearing a helmet can increase your odds of surviving the crash and walking away with fewer long-term effects—which no legal award can truly replace.

Additional Utah Motorcycle Considerations

While helmet laws are the focus of this article, several other Utah-specific laws affect motorcycle riders:

• Lane Filtering: As of 2019, Utah became one of the few states to legalize lane filtering. This means motorcyclists can ride between stopped cars at intersections under certain conditions. However, if you are filtering illegally or unsafely and an accident occurs, you may share liability under Utah's comparative negligence rules.

  
  

• Minimum Insurance Requirements: Just like drivers, Utah motorcyclists must carry liability insurance. The minimums are:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person

  • $65,000 for bodily injury per accident

  • $15,000 for property damage

  Many riders choose to carry higher limits and additional coverage such as med-pay or UM/UIM coverage to better protect themselves.

  
  

• Licensing and Endorsements: Utah requires motorcyclists to have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license. Riding without a proper endorsement can complicate claims and could lead to legal penalties, even if you're not at fault in the accident.

  
  

• Protective Gear Beyond Helmets: While not mandated, it’s recommended that riders wear protective jackets, gloves, boots, and padded pants. These can help reduce injuries such as road rash, fractures, and joint trauma in the event of a slide or impact.

  
  

Conclusion

Utah's motorcycle helmet law strikes a balance between personal freedom and public safety. For adult riders 21 and over, the law respects your right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet. More importantly, your legal rights to compensation remain fully intact even if you choose not to wear one and are injured in an accident caused by another party.

That said, the safety benefits of helmets are significant. Wearing a helmet greatly improves your chances of surviving a crash and reduces the likelihood of life-altering head trauma.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident—helmet or not—you deserve experienced legal representation to ensure your rights are protected. At The Legal Beagle, we understand Utah law and have helped countless riders get the compensation they need to recover and move forward.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, we’ll fight for your full and fair recovery.