Ankeny Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

When tragedy strikes, motorcycle injury attorneys become steadfast advocates for riders in their time of need. Specializing in the unique challenges of motorcycle accidents, these legal experts navigate the complexities of the law to ensure injured riders receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Be Aware of Internal Injury Signs after a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents carry a high risk of serious injury. Many motorcyclists are hospitalized each year for severe injuries that require surgery or intensive care. In some cases, bikers suffer internal injuries, some of which might not be readily apparent. Knowing some internal injury signs is therefore important.

Types of Internal Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Internal injuries are a common result of a motorcycle accident. Accident victims may experience internal bleeding in the abdomen, head, or other areas depending on the location of the injury. Blunt trauma or penetration can cause internal bleeding. Though any sign of internal bleeding warrants a trip to the hospital, sometimes the bleeding will stop on its own without intervention. Severe or uncontrolled bleeding may require surgery.

Some possible internal motorcycle accident injuries include the following:

- Tears in the aorta, superior or inferior vena cava, or branches.
- Tears, cuts, or blunt trauma to organs such as the spleen or liver.
- Bleeding around the lungs.
- Intracranial hemorrhage.

This is just a small sample of internal injuries that motorcyclists might sustain after being thrown from the bike, run over by a vehicle, or otherwise experiencing blunt trauma in a collision.

Internal Injury Signs to Know

It’s important to be aware of some of the common internal injury signs. In many cases, the signs are obvious and severe and there will be no doubt that the individual requires immediate medical care. However, in other cases, the signs are more subtle and there is no visible accompanying injury that will alert bystanders or the victim of the seriousness of the injury.

Any of the following symptoms might be an internal injury sign and warrant a call to 911 from the accident scene or a trip to the nearest emergency room for examination:

- Loss of consciousness or headache: Pain in the skull or loss of consciousness may result from internal hemorrhaging in the brain. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate medical care.
- Swelling or pain in the abdomen: Swelling can occur due to blood in the abdomen when there is an internal injury. In addition, pain in this area may signal a more serious condition than the initial examination uncovered.
- Discolored skin: Internal bleeding can cause the skin to turn a deep purple as it seeps into the soft tissues beneath the skin’s surface. This may indicate that there is a more serious internal injury.
- Light-headedness or fainting: Blood loss that occurs internally can cause dizziness. Any type of fainting spell or feeling of dizziness requires an examination to rule out an internal injury after a motorcycle accident.

After receiving medical treatment for internal motorcycle accident injuries, you may need to enlist the help of an attorney to recover compensation for your motorcycle injuries. If you’ve experienced large medical bills, lost time at work, or decreased ability to return to work after your accident, an attorney can help. 

How to File a Claim after a Motorcycle Accident in Iowa

To file a claim after a motorcycle accident, you’ll need to establish injury or property loss, adhere to the statute of limitations, and hire a lawyer. Consider these tips on how to successfully file a claim from our established motorcycle accident law firm.

Seek Medical Attention and Save Records

If you were injured in your motorcycle accident, the first thing that you need to do following the accident is to seek medical attention. Then, you need to gather all the documentation relevant to that medical care. When you file your claim with the insurance company, you’ll need to provide proof of your injuries and expenses.

Review Your Policy

All motorcyclists and motorists are required to carry proof of financial responsibility in Iowa, most typically in the form of car or motorcycle insurance. If you carry motorcycle insurance, then you need to review your policy as soon as possible after an accident. Often, default insurance coverage is not enough.

If you were at fault for the accident and only have the basic coverage amount, then your policy will only pay up to that amount. If you have other types of coverage, though, like medical payments coverage, then you may be entitled to more money, regardless of who caused the accident.

File in Time

It’s extremely important that you notify your insurance company of your motorcycle accident immediately following the accident, and that you file your claim as quickly as possible. If you don’t, you may miss the stipulated time requirements and may see a denied claim. If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages, you have two years under Iowa Code 614.1.

Motorcycle Safety Equipment You Might Not Know About

When you ride a motorcycle, it’s important to make sure you’re decked out in all the safest gear you can be. While you’ve certainly heard about the importance of helmets, gloves, boots, and eye protection, these pieces of motorcycle safety equipment might take you by surprise:

Motorcycle Airbag Jackets

Just like the name would imply, a motorcycle airbag jacket is just that – a jacket motorcyclists wear that has an airbag built right in. Here’s how most airbag jackets work.

The airbag jacket has two cables and a cartridge of CO2 built in. One of the cables is connected to the motorcycle. In the event of a crash, if the motorcyclist is thrown from the bike, the cable will separate, and in turn, activate the CO2. As a result, the jacket will inflate. The inflation is incredibly quick – full inflation occurs in a period ranging from 100 to 300 milliseconds.

Other, more high-tech airbag jackets do not require any cables or connections. Instead, these jackets are entirely self-contained and operate on the basis of sensors within the jackets that are kept close to the body. If a loss of control or a fall is sensed, the jacket will inflate. These jackets are extremely quick to inflate, filling in fewer than 60 milliseconds.

Motorcycle Smart Helmets

One of the most dangerous aspects of riding a motorcycle is distractions, particularly handheld distractions like cell phones and GPS devices. New smart helmets that are being developed would eliminate the need for handheld devices entirely. These helmets come equipped with Bluetooth headsets, microphones, music and voice connectivity abilities, and can connect to smartphones and GPSs. These helmets also can give their riders warnings. For example, if a sharp turn is up ahead, the helmets can provide riders with information about the upcoming turn, warning them to slow down. Maps and other data would also be directly displayed in motorcyclists’ face shields.

Other Motorcycle Safety Musts

The two pieces of motorcycle safety equipment mentioned above are certainly cool. However, the most important piece of safety equipment for a motorcyclist to invest in -- “smart” or not -- is a helmet. You can learn all about how to fit a motorcycle helmet and the truth about motorcycle helmet certification on our blog.

Consulting a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The toll from severe motorcycle injuries can encompass substantial medical expenses and long-term care costs for victims and their families. Lost wages may compound matters, especially if employment becomes unrealistic for an extended period. Getting help from a motorcycle accident attorney allows the pursuit of comprehensive compensation, from financial damages and emotional distress such as pain and suffering.

Victims of these accidents should seek consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney, as damages may be extensive and recovery of compensation is important.

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our motorcycle accident attorneys can represent you in dealings with your insurance company, or when filing a personal injury claim. Set up your consultation now by calling 641-792-3595.