After a motorcycle crash, your first priority is to heal. Once you’re ready to ride again, you’ll likely have to do so on a new bike unless yours escaped major damage. But what about your helmet?
Even if it looks fine on the outside, you should replace it – especially if it struck the ground, the other vehicle or another hard object or surface in the crash. A lot likely went on inside the helmet that has removed many of its protective qualities.
EPS vs. EPP foam
There are two primary types of foam used in the lining of helmets. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a crushable foam. It’s lightweight, which is good for the wearer under normal conditions. This type of foam is designed to collapse on impact, which reduces the amount of energy that gets to the head. However, it doesn’t regain its shape afterwards. It’s designed to withstand just one impact. That’s why a helmet with EPS foam needs to be replaced after a crash or even if it’s dropped.
Once those expanded polystyrene beads collapse, however, they do not regain their shape (or ability to absorb energy); for that reason, EPS is strictly suited to single impacts. This is why helmets with EPS liners should be replaced after a crash. Similarly, helmet owners should be vigilant about not dropping or knocking their helmet during daily use.
Expanded polypropylene (EPP) is a more resilient type of foam. Because it does eventually regain after an impact, helmets with EPP are sometimes marketed as being able to survive multiple impacts. However, there’s no way to know just how much damage that foam suffered in a serious crash, so it’s better to replace it than risk wearing a helmet with limited protection.
The outer casing
Another part of the helmet that can suffer invisible damage in a crash is the casing that surrounds the foam. If it was cracked, that minimizes the protection provided by the helmet.
Replacing a helmet (and responsibly recycling or disposing of your old one) is a small price to pay to better ensure that your head is as protected as possible when you start riding again after a crash. A replacement cost can also be included in the damages you seek from an at-fault driver or motorcyclist. Having legal guidance can help you seek the maximum compensation to which you’re entitled.