According to the NHTSA, head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Furthermore, data shows that over 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death for the motorcycle rider — and the majority of motorcycle crashes aren’t the fault of the motorcyclist. Motorcycle riders don’t have control over the actions of other drivers, but they can make an important safety choice — wearing a helmet. Motorcycle helmets have a 29% success rate at preventing fatal injuries and a 67% success rate at preventing brain injuries. Yet according to the most recent data available from the USDOT, just a little over half of motorcyclists choose to wear a helmet, with the most recent year showing a helmet use rate of 65%. Motorcycle helmet use doesn’t just save lives and prevent injuries — it can have a direct bearing on whether you’re eligible for compensation after an accident. Depending on a state’s helmet laws and negligence laws, an injured motorcyclist who wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of a crash can be deemed partially responsible for their own injuries.