Many motorcyclists enjoy the freedom to wear what they feel best in while riding. While this may include helmet use, riders should know that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle helmets have saved more than 25,000 lives from 2002 to 2017.
Chicago motorcycle riders should consider this when choosing whether or not to wear a helmet. But you may be asking yourself, are motorcycle helmets required in Chicago?
Continue reading to understand Illinois motorcycle helmet laws before the riding season is underway.
In this Article:
- Illinois Motorcycle Helmet Laws
- Motorcycle Helmet Use Statistics
- Choosing a DOT-Certified Motorcycle Helmet
- Do Motorcycle Helmets Work?
- Does Helmet Use Affect a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You
Illinois Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Illinois is one of only three states, including Iowa and New Hampshire, that do not require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. Wearing eye protection gear, however, is required in Illinois. That may include a windshield, shatterproof eye glasses, or windscreen.
Legislation requiring motorcycle helmet use was recently introduced by Representative Daniel Didech in February 2024. However, as of January 2025, progress seems to have stalled and a session date has yet to be set.
Regardless of motorcycle helmet laws in Illinois, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) strongly recommends that riders wear a DOT-certified helmet while riding a motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of motorcycle safety gear that protects from life-threatening injury.
Motorcycle Helmet Use Statistics
According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), 66.5% of all motorcycle riders and passengers wore DOT-compliant helmets in 2022. While helmet use is down 4.5% since 2018, it is up 8.8% since 2002.
Motorcycle helmet use statistics according to NHTSA also show:
- motorcyclists in the West are more likely to wear a helmet
- motorcyclists in the Midwest are the least likely to wear a helmet
- helmet use is highest during weekday rush hours
- Riders are more likely to wear a helmet in heavy traffic than in light traffic
Choosing a DOT-Certified Motorcycle Helmet
Riders should take the time to find a motorcycle helmet that will be safe and comfortable to wear while riding. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a DOT-certified motorcycle helmet.
Shape
In the world of helmets, one size does not fit all. Just as our fingerprints are unique, so too are the shapes of our heads. That’s why helmets are available in a range of styles, including round oval, intermediate oval (the most prevalent), and long oval.
Although most of us fall somewhere between having a round and oval-shaped head, it’s crucial to pinpoint your specific head shape before investing in a helmet.
Size
When it comes to measuring your head for a helmet, accuracy is key. A helmet that’s too loose won’t offer adequate protection. On the other hand, a correctly sized helmet will feel slightly tight, providing consistent pressure without causing discomfort.
Style
Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of styles, each tailored to different riding preferences, bike types, and safety needs, accommodating various price ranges.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Work?
Motorcyclists account for only 3% of registered vehicles yet motorcycle accidents account for 14% of all traffic fatalities.
The NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets are 35% effective in preventing fatal injuries for motorcycle riders and 41% effective for motorcycle passengers. Needless to say, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can significantly improve a rider’s chances of walking away from a motorcycle accident.
Additionally, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), weakening legal requirements and motorcycle helmet laws for helmet use has been shown to increase injury and death from motorcycle crashes.
Does Helmet Use Affect a Motorcycle Accident Claim
It’s legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet in Illinois. Still, not wearing a helmet could impact perception of fault in a motorcycle accident claim. If a rider or passenger is injured in a motorcycle accident while not wearing a helmet, the question may be, are they partially at fault for their injuries, knowing that a helmet might have reduced their injuries.
Fortunately, Illinois recognizes comparative fault so you are likely entitled to damages for your injuries even if you were not wearing a helmet.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You
Our world-class team of Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers at Disparti Law Group are ready to go to work for you. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident while riding a motorcycle, even if you were not wearing a helmet, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and more.
Ultimately, we want Chicago motorcyclists to ride safe and make it home every single time. But if the unimaginable happens and you lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
You don’t have to go it alone. For a FREE consult, call (312) 600-6000 today and find out why thousands say… Larry wins!
