While New Jersey law only requires bicycle riders age 17 and younger to wear a helmet, if you were not wearing a helmet when you were injured in a bicycle accident, your rights to compensation may be affected, especially if you are seeking compensation for head or traumatic brain injuries. Under New Jersey’s comparative fault system, an injured plaintiff who bears a share of responsibility for their injuries may have their compensation award reduced in proportion to their share of fault. An insurance company or a jury may conclude that you bear part of the responsibility for head or brain injuries you suffered in a bicycle accident because you failed to wear a helmet that could have protected you from such injury.