A statewide analysis of the incidence and severity of injuries from motorcycle collisions after the Pennsylvania helmet law repeal.

Authors

Julie M Reichert, Nathan A Schlessinger, Lindsey L Perea

Published in

American journal of surgery. Pages 117300. Oct 14, 2026. Epub Oct 14, 2026.

Abstract

Following Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet law repeal, motorcycle collision (MCC) rates were fixed; however, injuries increased. We investigated post-repeal injury severity. We hypothesized helmeted (H) motorcyclists would have better outcomes than unhelmeted (UH) motorcyclists and outcomes would worsen post repeal.
We retrospectively reviewed (7/1/1998-7/1/2023) MCC patients in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database. We compared H and UH patients and Pre- and Post-repeal data (Pre:1998-2002; Post:2003-2023). Adolescent and geriatric subgroup analyses were performed.
We included 36,943 patients: UH:14,069 and H:22,874. UH had higher ISS (p < 0.001), more severe head injuries (p < 0.001), and greater mortality (p < 0.001). Mortality was higher in UH geriatric motorcyclists (p < 0.001) and similar in adolescents (p = 0.129). Despite decreased helmet use post-repeal, ISS (p = 0.003), severe head injuries (p < 0.001) and mortality (p = 0.021) decreased.
Overall, 62% of motorcyclists wore helmets. Although helmet use decreased post-repeal, outcomes were comparable. Decreased helmet use leaves motorists vulnerable to head injuries and worse outcomes.

PMID:
42901839
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Oct 2026.

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