Guthrie Center Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle injury lawyers become steadfast defenders for riders when disaster occurs. Their expertise in motorcycle accidents allows them to navigate legal challenges and secure justice and compensation for injured riders.

Motorcycle Helmet Safety Tips

Why You Must Replace a Motorcycle Helmet After an Accident

Even minor motorcycle accidents can cause serious, yet virtually invisible, damage to a motorcycle helmet. Minor scratches or small dents often fail to accurately reflect any interior issues with the inner protective padding, which is why it is crucial to discard a helmet if it has been involved in a wreck. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, if your head struck anything during a motorcycle accident, the helmet likely absorbed some impact shock. This can compromise the helmet's effectiveness in future accidents, making replacement essential.

Most helmet manufacturers offer to inspect a damaged helmet and make repairs if necessary. However, it is typically best to buy a new one if there is any doubt about the helmet's integrity. This advice also applies if a helmet is dropped harder than normal. While helmets are designed to withstand regular wear and tear, significant falls can damage the interior or outer shell, necessitating replacement for safety.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, obtaining comprehensive information is crucial. The lawyers at Walker, Billingsley, and Bair offer complimentary case evaluations and can provide you with a free copy of their book, "The Iowa Consumer’s Guide to Motorcycle Crashes." Contact them at (641) 792-3595 to set up an appointment or request your free copy today.

Emotional Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists are at risk for various injuries in the event of an accident, ranging from soft tissue injuries and fractures to spinal cord and head injuries. In severe cases, motorcyclists may suffer from emotional trauma in addition to physical injuries. This emotional distress can be included in a liability claim or lawsuit against a negligent driver.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD may develop following a traumatic event like a motorcycle accident. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), PTSD symptoms are grouped into three categories:
- Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the incident.
- Avoidance: Avoiding certain events or actions, experiencing emotional numbness, guilt, depression, difficulty remembering the event, and more.
- Hyperarousal: Easily startled, feeling edgy, trouble sleeping, and episodes of intense anger.

Head Injuries and Depression

Head injuries are a major concern for motorcyclists. Although Iowa has repealed its motorcycle helmet laws, safety groups recommend helmet use for all operators and passengers. Research has shown a significant association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression. A 2004 study in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that one-third of participants developed major depressive disorder within the first year after sustaining a TBI. Another study in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship found that chronic stress was significantly related to post-TBI depression, likely due to the recovery process and other mitigating factors.

Emotional Trauma in Personal Injury Cases

A motorcycle accident claim can account for medical expenses related to physical injuries and emotional trauma. Emotional trauma can include:
- Mental health assessments
- Counseling
- Treatment
- Mental anguish

However, failure to wear a helmet may reduce your settlement if you suffer head injuries. The insurance company or defendant might argue that helmet use could have prevented or reduced the severity of the injury. Discuss with your attorney how helmet use may factor into your claim and its impact on emotional or noneconomic damages.

Seeking Medical Treatment After a Minor Motorcycle Accident

While the lawyers at Walker, Billingsley & Bair are not medical professionals, they have extensive experience with motorcycle accident claims and understand that serious injuries may not be immediately apparent after an impact. It is imperative to be checked out at an emergency room or urgent care clinic after a motorcycle accident, even if you do not feel pain right away. Adrenaline can mask pain, and minor head injuries can develop into major problems if left untreated.

Issues such as internal bleeding, concussions, or hairline fractures can occur during accidents that cause little or no visible damage to the motorcycle or other vehicles. Requesting an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI can rule out bigger problems and allow you to begin treatment before any permanent damage occurs. Pain can also present itself hours or even days later, so it is helpful to have a doctor's instructions on managing soreness with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Give yourself every opportunity to heal properly after a motorcycle accident. Seek medical treatment, follow your doctor's advice, and protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced attorney specializing in serious injury accidents. 

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.