Recalled Bicycle Helmets Increase Risk of Head Injury
Safety experts estimate that wearing a helmet reduces a rider’s chances of suffering a head injury by between 60 and 90 percent, which is why so many cyclists go to such great lengths to purchase up-to-date and carefully tested helmets. Unfortunately, as a recent recall of eight different models of bicycle helmet has revealed, these helmets are not always as safe as they claim to be.
Bicycle Helmet Recalls in 2023
This year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission initiated eight bicycle helmet recalls, including the following models:
- The Giro Merit Bicycle Helmet, which doesn’t meet federal safety standards and would fail to fully protect the head in the event of a crash;
- The Xinerter Teal Adult Bicycle Helmet, which fails to comply with positional stability and federal certification requirements;
- The SQM Bicycle Helmet, which was a single-sized helmet that also doesn’t comply with federal certification requirements;
- The Ventura Adult Bike Helmet, which doesn’t provide adequate protection;
- The Hurtle Multi-Purpose Children’s Helmet, which fails to satisfy federal safety standards;
- The Lelinta Multi-Purpose Kids Helmet, which doesn’t comply with federal safety regulations;
- The TureClose Bicycle Helmet, which doesn’t comply with safety requirements regarding positional stability, impact attenuation, retention system, or labeling; and
- The Ouwoer Direct Multi-Purpose Kids Bike Helmet, which doesn’t meet federal standards for impact attenuation or positional stability.
While recalls for these models have been issued, thousands of cyclists have already purchased and used these helmets and may have suffered head trauma as a result. Fortunately, accident victims who were injured because of a defective consumer product can often take legal action against the product’s manufacturer or seller.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards
Federal regulators put specific safety standards in place with which bicycle helmet manufacturers must comply. These standards ensure that the structure and design of a helmet does what it’s supposed to do and protects a user’s head in the event of a fall or collision. For instance, these rules require that helmets be able to protect the skull from a certain degree of force and when manufacturers fail to comply with these rules, they put users at risk of serious injury. Companies that don’t abide by these standards can and should be held accountable when their carelessness results in a user’s injury. To learn more about filing a product liability claim against the company responsible for your own injury, please reach out to our legal team today.
Were You Injured by a Dangerous Consumer Product?
If you or a loved one suffered an injury after using a recalled or defective bicycle helmet you are likely facing expensive medical bills and potentially permanent disability. Fortunately, negligent companies that design and manufacture dangerous consumer products can be held liable for the injuries caused by their careless actions. Call the experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at Boone & Davis for help navigating this complex legal process. We offer initial consultations free of charge, so don’t hesitate to call our office at 954-566-9919 or to send us an online message to get started on your case today.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7025438/#:~:text
cpsc.gov/Recalls
