Motorcycle Wrecks and Medical Costs
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 335
Several people who commented argued there is no difference in the cost of medical car associated with motorcycle accidents with or without a helmet. Unfortunately that is not true. The studies show completely the opposite to be true.
In November 2002, NHTSA reported that 25 studies of the costs of injuries from motorcycle crashes "consistently found that helmet use reduced the fatality rate, probability and severity of head injuries, cost of medical treatment, length of hospital stay, necessity for special medical treatments, and probability of long-term disability.
The studies don't support the argument against mandatory helmet laws. And when those without a helmet need medical care who ends up paying for that care? The studies show it's you and I.
Only slightly more than half of motorcycle crash victims have private health insurance coverage. For patients without private insurance, a majority of medical costs are paid by the government. This issue isn't about the Bill of Rights, it's about financial responsibility.
7 | How do helmet use laws impact health care costs?
Unhelmeted riders have higher health care costs as a result of their crash injuries, and many lack health insurance. In November 2002, NHTSA reported that 25 studies of the costs of injuries from motorcycle crashes "consistently found that helmet use reduced the fatality rate, probability and severity of head injuries, cost of medical treatment, length of hospital stay, necessity for special medical treatments, and probability of long-term disability. A number of studies examined the question of who pays for medical costs. Only slightly more than half of motorcycle crash victims have private health insurance coverage. For patients without private insurance, a majority of medical costs are paid by the government."18
Among the specific findings of several of the studies:
• A 1996 NHTSA study showed average inpatient hospital charges for unhelmeted motorcyclists in crashes were 8 percent higher than for helmeted riders ($15,578 compared with $14,377).19
• After California introduced a helmet use law in 1992, studies showed a decline in health care costs associated with head-injured motorcyclists. The rate of motorcyclists hospitalized for head injuries decreased by 48 percent in 1993 compared with 1991, and total costs for patients with head injuries decreased by $20.5 million during this period.20
• A study of the effects of Nebraska's reinstated helmet use law on hospital costs found the total acute medical charges for injured motorcyclists declined 38 percent.12
A NHTSA evaluation of the weakening of Florida's universal helmet law in 2000 to exclude riders 21 and older who have at least $10,000 of medical insurance coverage found a huge increase in hospital admissions of cyclists with injuries to the head, brain, and skull. Such injuries went up 82 percent during the 30 months immediately following the law change. The average inflation-adjusted cost of treating these injuries went up from about $34,500 before the helmet law was weakened to nearly $40,000 after. Less than one-quarter of the injured motorcyclists would have been covered by the $10,000 medical insurance requirement for riders who chose not to use helmets.7
Studies conducted in Nebraska, Washington, California, and Massachusetts indicate how injured motorcyclists burden taxpayers. Forty-one percent of motorcyclists injured in Nebraska from January 1988 to January 1990 lacked health insurance or received Medicaid or Medicare.12 In Seattle, 63 percent of trauma care for injured motorcyclists in 1985 was paid by public funds.21 In Sacramento, public funds paid 82 percent of the costs to treat orthopedic injuries sustained by motorcyclists during 1980-83.22 Forty-six percent of motorcyclists treated at Massachusetts General Hospital during 1982-83 were uninsured.23
18Lawrence, B.A.; Max, W.; and Miller, T.R. 2002. Cost of injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes: a literature review. Report no. DOT HS-809-242. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
19National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1996. Report to Congress: benefits of safety belts and motorcycle helmets. Report no. DOT HS-808-347. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation.
20Max, W.; Stark, B.; and Root, S. 1998. Putting a lid on injury costs: the economic impact of the California motorcycle helmet law. Journal of Trauma 45:550-56.
21Rivara, F.P.; Dicker, B.G.; Bergman, A.B.; Dacey, R.; and Herman, C. 1988. The public cost of motorcycle trauma. Journal of the American Medical Association 260:221-23.
22Bray, T.; Szabo, R.; Timmerman, L.; Yen, L.; and Madison, M. 1985. Cost of orthopedic injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. Journal of the American Medical Association 254:2452-53.
23Bach, B.R. and Wyman, E.T. 1986. Financial charges of hospitalized motorcyclists at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Journal of Trauma 26:343-47.
