Gould Injury Law is proud to represent Connecticut riders with fast, aggressive personal injury advocacy. Motorcycle accidents are some of the most devastating cases we handle. And one question comes up over and over again: “What happens if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?”
Connecticut doesn’t have a universal helmet law. But that doesn’t stop insurance companies from twisting the facts and blaming injured riders for their own suffering. At Gould Injury Law – The Fast Firm, we know how to counter these tactics and move your case forward—fast.
Connecticut’s Helmet Laws
Under current Connecticut law:
- Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
- Riders who got their motorcycle license within the past 90 days must wear helmets.
- All passengers riding with those drivers must wear helmets too.
Beyond that, helmets are not legally required. Adult riders can legally ride without one.
But here’s the catch: even though it’s not the law, insurance companies often argue that not wearing a helmet should reduce your compensation.
How Helmet Use Affects Accident Cases
If you were hit by a negligent driver, you might assume fault is clear. But insurers use helmet use (or lack thereof) as a defense strategy:
- Comparative Negligence: They argue you contributed to your injuries by not wearing a helmet.
- Reduced Damages: They claim your medical costs are higher because of your choice.
- Jury Persuasion: They try to sway jurors with “common sense” arguments about helmet safety.
The truth? If another driver caused your crash, they are still liable for that negligence—helmet or no helmet.
CTA: Don’t let an insurance company twist the law against you. Call Gould Injury Law now.
Strategic Considerations in CT Helmet Cases
When we represent injured riders, we move fast to shut down insurer arguments and keep the focus where it belongs: the negligent driver.
Our strategies include:
When we represent injured riders, we move fast to shut down insurer arguments and keep the focus where it belongs: the negligent driver.
Our strategies include:
- Proving Causation Clearly
Even without a helmet, many injuries have nothing to do with head protection (broken legs, spinal injuries, internal damage).
We use medical experts to show what caused your injuries. - Highlighting the Law
Adult riders are not legally required to wear helmets in Connecticut.
We remind juries and insurers that legality matters more than opinion. - Countering Comparative Negligence
Even if a helmet might have reduced an injury, the driver’s reckless behavior caused the crash in the first place.
We argue forcefully that negligence starts and ends with the at-fault driver.
Local Context: Motorcycle Accidents in Connecticut
Helmet disputes come up often after crashes on:
- I-95 near New Haven and Bridgeport: Heavy traffic and aggressive drivers.
- Route 15 (Merritt Parkway): Scenic, but dangerous with fast-moving cars.
- Downtown Hartford Streets: Busy intersections where drivers fail to yield.
- Shoreline Roads in Stamford and Norwalk: Popular with riders in warm weather.
Whether your case ends up in the Hartford Superior Court or the New Haven Judicial District Courthouse, we move quickly to prepare your defense.
Real-World Example
A client in New Haven was struck by a distracted driver while riding without a helmet. The insurer claimed the rider’s head injury would’ve been avoided with a helmet and tried to cut the payout by 40%.
Gould Injury Law:
- Brought in a neurological expert to show the injury would have occurred regardless.
- Shifted the focus back to the driver’s negligence—texting while driving.
- Secured a fast settlement covering full medical costs and lost wages.
The rider got justice because we fought back fast.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
Even in helmet dispute cases, compensation may include:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehab).
- Lost income and reduced earning potential.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed.
We move aggressively to recover everything you’re owed—without letting helmets become the distraction insurers want them to be.
Mistakes Riders Should Avoid
- Assuming No Helmet = No Case: The law doesn’t say that.
- Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They’ll use your words against you.
- Delaying Legal Help: The faster we act, the stronger your case.
- Skipping Medical Treatment: Gaps in care weaken claims.
CTA: Get answers now—reach out to Gould Injury Law today. We’re the Fast Firm. You don’t wait—and neither do we.
Why Choose Gould Injury Law?
Motorcycle crashes are unique, and helmet arguments are just one of many defense tactics. You need a team that:
- Knows Connecticut motorcycle laws cold.
- Moves fast to collect medical evidence and expert testimony.
- Fights insurers head-on when they try to twist the law.
- Gets results quickly so you can focus on recovery, not delays.
That’s why riders across Connecticut call Gould Injury Law when everything is on the line.
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut requires helmets only for riders under 18 and new license holders.
- Adult riders may legally ride without helmets.
- Insurance companies use helmet defenses to reduce payouts.
- Strategic legal action focuses liability on the negligent driver—not the victim.
- Gould Injury Law – The Fast Firm is ready to move aggressively on your case.
Call to Action
You’ve waited long enough. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash—helmet or no helmet—call Gould Injury Law in Hartford today and let The Fast Firm fight for your recovery. We move fast, we fight hard, and we get results.
