« Reply #33 on: August 08, 2013, 04:50:30 PM »
This is a very interesting subject. On one hand I agree (and a forum member has something like this in his signature: "it's not the job of the state to protect the individuals from their own stupidity...") that we should receive information and then take educated decisions. If I want to die driving my bike, or assume the risks, it should be my right. But this would only work in a perfect world, where a) others don't have to pay for my medical expenses or even for hosing off my blood from the street and b) the law doesn't blame another eventual participant in the accident for whatever injury I suffer by choosing (for example) not to wear a helmet.
I'd really like to debate this. I'm not kidding.
Well, it is a long standing debate for many people. My position is that insurance shouldn't be used as an excuse to curtail freedom and dictate lifestyle (which is what it is becoming). But you are certainly right about the suing and such.... I could see a reasonable limit of liability if the victim were being "stupid". But it is extraordinarily difficult to put such stuff into workable laws and guidelines. For example- if someone wore no protective gear AT ALL on a bike and someone just tapped them at a stoplight, it could cause severe injuries that would not have happened had they been following "best practices" and wearing "proper" gear. And yet, had they not been hit at all, there would be no liability at all.
Modern society is complex. So I just try to take a general position of "freedom comes first" but along with it is responsibility and being held accountable. The actual path to that is often not clear.
Logged
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc