Miss this idea, and the worst-case result is brutally simple: a rider believes jeans, work boots, and a tough attitude are "good enough," then hits the pavement and turns a survivable crash into a catastrophic one. ATGATT means "All The Gear, All The Time" - the rider-safety rule of wearing full protective gear on every ride, not just long trips or bad-weather days. Usually that means a helmet, eye protection, gloves, jacket, pants, and over-the-ankle boots designed for motorcycle use.

The slogan gets oversold sometimes. Gear is not magic, and it does not prevent crashes by itself. But bad advice like "dress for comfort" ignores what actually causes awful injuries: abrasion, impacts, and exposed joints. ATGATT is about reducing harm when something goes wrong, whether the crash happens on a highway or a short ride near home.

For an injury claim, gear can become part of the fight over comparative negligence, damages, and the seriousness of the injuries. An insurer may argue that a rider made injuries worse by skipping protective equipment, even when another driver caused the wreck. That does not erase the other party's fault, but it can affect how the claim is valued.

New Hampshire adds a wrinkle: most adult motorcyclists are not required by state law to wear a helmet, though riders under 18 are. Legal does not mean wise. A rider can follow the law and still hand an insurer an avoidable argument.