Guttenberg Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle injury lawyers stand as resolute supporters for riders when disaster strikes. Their expertise in motorcycle accidents allows them to navigate legal intricacies and secure justice and compensation for the injured.

Motorcycle accidents can lead to a range of injuries, from soft tissue injuries and fractures to spinal cord and head injuries. In severe cases, motorcyclists may also suffer from emotional trauma alongside their physical injuries. In Iowa, motorcyclists pursuing a liability claim or lawsuit against a negligent driver can factor in this emotional distress.

Emotional Trauma Post-Motorcycle Accident

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD may develop following a traumatic event like a motorcycle accident. Once known primarily as a condition affecting soldiers, PTSD can manifest for various reasons. The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) categorizes PTSD symptoms into three groups:
- Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the incident.
- Avoidance: Avoiding certain events or actions, emotional numbness, guilt, depression, and difficulty remembering the event.
- Hyperarousal: Easily startled, edginess, trouble sleeping, and intense episodes of anger.

Head Injuries and Depression
Head injuries are a significant concern for motorcyclists. Various studies have linked traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with depression. For example, 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 in 2002 highlighted that chronic stress is significantly related to post-TBI depression, likely due to the recovery process and other mitigating factors.

Road Rash as a Result of Motorcycle Accidents

Degrees of Motorcycle Road Rash
Motorcycle road rash occurs when the skin scrapes against the road surface, causing lacerations and abrasions. Road rash injuries are categorized by severity:
- First-degree: Minor, involving skin redness; treatable at home with cleaning and antibiotic ointment.
- Second-degree: More serious, involving skin breaks; often treatable at home but with more discomfort.
- Third-degree: Severe, affecting all skin layers and exposing underlying tissues; requires medical intervention such as skin grafting.

Skin Grafting for Severe Road Rash
Skin grafting is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia to treat severe road rash. Recovery can be lengthy, often requiring weeks in the hospital to monitor the donor and graft sites and ensure the body does not reject the transplanted skin. Movement may be limited for weeks, making a return to normal activities difficult.

Legal and Compensation Considerations

Emotional Trauma in Personal Injury Cases
Motorcycle accident claims can account for both physical injuries and emotional trauma. Emotional damages may include:
- Mental health assessments
- Counseling
- Treatment
- Mental anguish

Economic Damages for Permanent Injuries
Calculating the value of a motorcycle accident claim involves assessing economic damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Expenses related to long-term care, if necessary

Non-economic Damages for Permanent Injuries
Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability, are more challenging to quantify. Insurance companies often use a multiplier based on the severity of injuries to estimate these damages.

Proving Fault and Documenting Losses
Establishing fault and meticulously documenting all losses is crucial in a successful motorcycle accident claim. This includes keeping records of medical treatments, bills, lost time from work, police reports, witness statements, and any photos or notes about the accident.

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.