RT Journal
A1 Dobson JL
T1 THe public cost of motorcycle trauma
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1989
FD February 24
VO 261
IS 8
SP 1149
OP 1149
DO 10.1001/jama.1989.03420080063019
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1989.03420080063019
AB To the Editor. — 
    It comes as no surprise that society pays for the majority of health care for injured motorcyclists.1I am surprised, however, that Rivara et al1 jump to the conclusion that their data support mandatory helmet laws. As stated by the authors, no comparison of helmeted vs nonhelmeted motorcyclists was made in their study. Their conclusion is supported only by reference to a study that dealt with fatalities, not costs.Some people theorize that helmet laws result in greater overall cost to society because individuals who otherwise would have been killed survive with severe permanent disabilities. I was hoping that Rivara et al would address this sobering question.