If you’re trying to decide on a new motorcycle helmet and wondering what type will be ideal, you may be debating between a full-face helmet and the older style that essentially just covers the top of your head. What you’re going to find is that the full-face design is certainly safer and offers a higher degree of protection than the alternative.
There is a reason that helmet technology has progressed in this direction. While some people still feel like the older style offers them sufficient protection and a wider range of vision, what you really need to think about is how it will fare if you get in an accident. From this perspective, there is no contest between the two.
It’s all about the contact points
One of the best things you can look at is a chart of where helmets tend to make contact with the road when riders crash. Studies have shown that the chin and jaw take the largest percentage of these impacts, at 19.4% in one example and 15.2% in another.
These areas are, by far, the most common “contact points” in any wreck where the motorcyclist hits the ground. The crown of the head, for instance, is a contact point a mere 0.4% of the time. It is far more important to have a full-face helmet that protects your jaw, neck and face, rather than just the top of your head.
No helmet is perfect
Naturally, though, even the safest helmet on the market doesn’t guarantee you won’t get injured in an accident. If another driver caused that crash, you must know what legal options you have to get the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages and more. An attorney is best positioned to advocate for your interests.
