Are Motorcycle Helmets Required in Nashville, TN?

Riding motorcycles can come with a heightened risk of injury in the event of a traffic crash. This is why motorcycle helmet use in Nashville and the laws surrounding it are critical for riders and passengers alike.

According to the 2020–2024 Tennessee Traffic Crash Data, Davidson County ranked 5th in the state for the most motorcycle crashes, averaging 289 motorcycle accidents each year. Many of these crashes result in severe or even fatal injuries, particularly when helmets are not worn.

Understanding Tennessee’s helmet laws can help protect your legal rights and any impact they may have on your motorcycle accident injury claim. At The Morgan Law Group, our motorcycle accident attorney in Nashville helps injured riders navigate their legal options when helmet use becomes a factor in litigation.

Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle safety laws in Tennessee are strict and largely unforgiving. If you’re riding or a passenger on a motorcycle, the Tennessee motorcycle helmet law applies to you.

Who Is Required to Wear a Helmet?

Tennessee enforces a universal helmet law. This means that all motorcycle riders and passengers are legally required to wear helmets.

Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-9-302 sets the standard for helmet requirements in the state. It mandates that any person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle on any public roadway must wear a crash helmet.

This law applies across the state, including Nashville and the rest of Davidson County. The goal is simple – prevent head trauma and reduce fatalities.

What Helmets Are Approved?

Not all helmets meet Tennessee’s legal standards. Under the helmet law, the helmet worn must comply with safety regulations established by federal standards, specifically, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218.

Helmets that meet FMVSS 218 usually have the following characteristics:

• A sticker on the back indicates compliance with the Department of Transportation. Other approved helmets include those that comply with the American Society for Testing Materials, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Southern Impact Research Center, or the Snell Foundation. 
• A thick inner liner (approximately 1 inch or more) of firm polystyrene foam
• Sturdy chin straps and rivets
• A manufacturer’s label showing the helmet model and manufacturing details

Some riders may use novelty or half helmets that do not comply with these requirements. Doing so could be considered a violation of the helmet law and may have consequences in a motorcycle accident injury claim.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes, but they are limited and very specific. 

A motorcycle helmet is not required under the following narrow circumstances:

• Riders and passengers in enclosed cabs or autocycles with roll cages and safety belts
• Participants in organized parades or funerals traveling at 30 mph or less, provided the event has a police escort and does not exceed 50 miles in length

It’s important to note that these exceptions are rare. For the average motorcycle operator or passenger in Nashville, a motorcycle helmet is legally required; no exceptions based solely on age or experience.

Penalties for Not Wearing a Helmet in Nashville

Violating the Tennessee motorcycle helmet law is more than a safety risk; it’s also a legal infraction. 

Not wearing a helmet when required can result in:

• A Class C misdemeanor
• Fines of up to $50
• Potential jail time of up to 30 days 

These penalties also apply to parents who allow minors to ride motorcycles without helmets. The violation is officially documented, and that can create complications if the rider later files a personal injury claim.

When Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys handle injury cases where the rider was not wearing a helmet, they must prepare for how that violation might be used by the opposing side to reduce damages or argue contributory fault.

Head Injuries in Motorcycle Accident Claims

Head injuries are among the most catastrophic outcomes in a motorcycle crash. The use or non-use of a helmet can significantly alter the severity of injury and the strength of a motorcycle accident claim.

With a Helmet

Helmets are designed to absorb impact and prevent direct trauma to the skull and brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and lower the risk of death by 37%.

Common head-related injuries for helmeted riders include:

• Concussions
• Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Contusions and lacerations
• Whiplash-related effects

In many cases, riders wearing approved helmets experience injuries that are far less severe than they would have been otherwise. Helmets don’t make riders invincible, but they do significantly reduce the chance of long-term disability or death.

Without a Motorcycle Helmet

Riders who forgo helmets are at much greater risk of:

• Severe TBIs
• Skull fractures
• Brain hemorrhages
• Facial fractures
• Spinal cord injuries

These types of injuries are not only devastating but also expensive. Medical bills can quickly escalate into the six- or seven-figure range. Recovery may require multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and permanent care.

How Can a Helmet Affect a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Nashville?

Unfortunately, if a rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, insurance companies and defense attorneys often seize on that fact to argue that the injuries could have been avoided. 

Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system when evaluating personal injury claims. This means that your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, so long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident.

Failure to Wear a Helmet Can Be Considered Negligence

In Nashville motorcycle accident claims, not wearing a helmet can be viewed as negligence per se – a legal doctrine applied when someone violates a safety law intended to protect the public. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash but were not wearing a helmet, the court may rule that you were partially at fault for the severity of your injuries.

Here’s how it might play out:

• A jury finds that the other driver caused the crash
• However, your head injury was worsened by not wearing a helmet
• The jury assigns 25% fault to you for the helmet violation
• Your total compensation is reduced by 25%

If you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing under Tennessee law.

Insurance Companies May Use Helmet Law Violations

Even before a motorcycle accident claim is filed, insurers often argue that failing to follow helmet requirements is evidence of carelessness. 

They may use that to:

• Deny certain medical benefits
• Offer lower settlement amounts
• Claim you contributed to your own injuries

While the presence or absence of a helmet can influence your case, it does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. The key is whether the helmet use directly contributed to your injuries and whether you are under the 50% fault threshold. 

Seek Legal Help for Crashes Involving Riders Without Helmets

In a city like Nashville, where a high number of motorcycle accidents occur each year, wearing a helmet can save your life and preserve your right to compensation. It’s essential to work with an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorney who understands how helmet laws affect liability arguments. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash, reach out to us to get a clear legal assessment and actionable next steps. The Morgan Law Group works for injured persons across Tennessee to build strong, evidence-backed motorcycle accident claims, including cases of helmet violations. 

Call our Nashville office today at (615) 488-4403 or contact us using our online form for a free consultation with our motorcycle accident attorney.