Do you think Motorcycles riders should be forced by law to wear helmets in all 50 states?

For more than 40 years, Michigan required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. State legislators changed the law last year so that only riders younger than 21 must wear helmets. The average insurance payment on a motorcycle injury claim was $5,410 in the two years before the law was changed, and $7,257 after it was changed — an increase of 34 percent, the study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found.

"The cost per injury claim is significantly higher after the law changed than before, which is consistent with other research that shows riding without a helmet leads to more head injuries," David Zuby, chief research officer for the data institute and an affiliated organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said.

For more than 40 years, Michigan required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. State legislators changed the law last year so that only riders younger than 21 must wear helmets. The average insurance payment on a motorcycle injury claim was $5,410 in the two years before the law was changed, and $7,257 after it was changed — an increase of 34 percent, the study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found.

"The cost per injury claim is significantly higher after the law changed than before, which is consistent with other research that shows riding without a helmet leads to more head injuries," David Zuby, chief research officer for the data institute and an affiliated organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said.

"it makes more sense that the helmet wearers are driving up the insurance rates more than the non wearers"

Me thinks that is the dumbest statement I'll read all week.

"it makes more sense that the helmet wearers are driving up the insurance rates more than the non wearers"

You believe that statement is true because people that don't wear helmets die in accidents. When people die, insurance companies don't have to pay out.

I'm embarrassed to be involved in this discussion.

Deaths from all motorcycle crashes in Michigan -- with or without helmet use -- rose 18 percent from 109 in 2011 to 129 last year.

The average cost of insurance claims resulting from motorcycle crashes is up dramatically since Michigan repealed its mandatory helmet law last year, largely because injuries are more severe.

A study released Thursday by the industry-funded Highway Loss Data Institute reported the average insurance payment on a motorcycle injury claim is $7,257, compared to $5,410 in the two years before the helmet law was repealed in April 2012. That's an increase of 34 percent. Adjusting for the fact that unhelmeted riders must carry higher insurance, medical payouts rose 22 percent.

So, how does this statement make any sense....

"it makes more sense that the helmet wearers are driving up the insurance rates more than the non wearers"

Just admit you were on lsd when you came up with this ...

"it makes more sense that the helmet wearers are driving up the insurance rates more than the non wearers"

... you'll feel better.

Just admit you were on lsd when you came up with this ...

"it makes more sense that the helmet wearers are driving up the insurance rates more than the non wearers"

... you'll feel better.