Most motorcyclists are aware that Tennessee requires helmets, but few realize the significant impact this choice can have on the outcome of a crash.

Tennessee law mandates helmet use for all motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age or experience. While the rule helps prevent serious injuries, it can also impact how insurers view your claim, reducing the compensation you can recover.

Learn what helmet non-compliance means for your injury claim and why a skilled Chattanooga motorcycle accident lawyer is essential to protect your financial recovery.

How Insurance Companies Use Helmet Non-Compliance to Limit Payouts

After motorcycle crashes, insurance companies seek ways to limit their payouts. If you didn’t have your helmet on at the time of the crash, they may argue:

  • Your Injuries Were More Severe Without a Helmet: If your crash involved head, brain, or facial trauma, insurers may claim those injuries wouldn’t have been as serious if you’d worn a helmet.
  • Your Helmet Law Violation Equals Negligence: Because helmet use is required by state law, insurers may argue that violating this rule automatically makes you negligent, even if another driver caused the crash.
  • Your Disregard for Safety Contributed to Harm: Riding without a helmet may be seen as disregarding basic safety, which insurers can use to argue that you share fault for the outcome.
  • Your Medical Costs Are Higher Than They Should Be: They might claim that your decision not to wear a helmet led to more extensive treatment, which they shouldn’t be responsible for covering.

These arguments can affect how much compensation you receive, reducing the value of your claim.

What Modified Comparative Negligence Means in Tennessee

Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence standard to decide personal injury claims.

Under this rule:

  • Your settlement can be reduced if you’re found partly at fault for your injuries.
  • You may be prevented from seeking any compensation if your share of fault reaches 50% or more.

In cases involving helmet non-compliance, the court may decide that not wearing a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries. If so, it can assign you a percentage of fault, even when another driver caused the crash.

Here is how it might work:

  • Partial Recovery: A driver runs a red light and slams into your motorcycle while you’re riding without a helmet. The court agrees the driver caused the collision but decides you’re 25% responsible for the severity of your head injury. If your total damages are $120,000, your award will be reduced to $90,000.
  • No Compensation: You’re in a collision with a speeding driver, but evidence shows you were also weaving between lanes and not wearing a helmet. The court decides you’re 50% responsible; not just for how badly you were hurt, but for how the crash occurred. This bars you from receiving damages under Tennessee law.

The percentage of fault will depend on what happened, what your medical records show, and how well your lawyer pushes back.

Why You Need a Lawyer if You Were Injured Without a Helmet

If you suffered serious injuries in a Tennessee crash while riding without a helmet, you may still have a valid claim. However, getting fair compensation may be more difficult.

At Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, our motorcycle accident attorneys know how to respond to insurers’ tactics.

We can:

  • Gather evidence that shows how the crash happened
  • Work with medical experts to explain what truly caused your injuries
  • Challenge biased assumptions about helmet use
  • Refute exaggerated claims about the impact of not wearing headgear
  • Show that your injuries were due to the crash, not the absence of a helmet

This strategic approach helps maximize your compensation, even in challenging cases.

Get Qualified Legal Help for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Motorcycle crashes can leave you with serious injuries and a difficult recovery. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, the insurance company may try to use that against you, regardless of who caused the crash.

At Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, we represent injured riders throughout Tennessee. Our team moves quickly to gather the right medical evidence and push back on unfair blame.

Don’t let an insurance company use a missing helmet to deny your right to recover the money you need for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for your rights and maximum compensation.