Hiawatha Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle injury attorneys act as committed defenders for riders when tragedy strikes. Specializing in motorcycle accidents, they skillfully navigate the legal system to ensure injured riders receive fair justice and compensation.

What are the Most Common Types of Serious Motorcycle Injuries in Iowa?

When negligence leads to a motorcycle crash, the aftermath can bring fractures, road rash, and brain and spinal cord injuries. A proficient motorcycle accident attorney stands ready to help victims seek rightful compensation to lessen the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions.

Common Types of Serious Motorcycle Injuries

In the event of a motorcycle collision, virtually any part of the body becomes susceptible to fractures. In cases of severe breaks, where bones protrude through the skin, the risk of infection is heightened. Specific fracture types may yield further complexities; prolonged immobilization, for instance, might elevate the danger of blood clots or bedsores.

Road Rash: Like a burn, when a motorcyclist’s body makes contact with the ground, such as from skidding across the pavement, the most severe type of road rash can cause damage to the tissues and muscles underneath the skin. Complications such as infections might arise, leading to skin grafts to expedite healing and cover exposed areas. Compensation for these injuries and other expenses may be pursued with help from a motorcycle accident attorney.

The Consequences of Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

A severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motorcycle crash can affect a person in various ways, largely depending on the severity of the injury. Mild concussions may bring about temporary confusion and headaches, while more severe TBI can yield enduring complications. These span from enduring issues with memory and concentration to shifts in one's personality. Physical challenges encompass impaired movement, coordination, and potential psychological problems like anxiety and depression.

Spinal cord injuries vary from minor discomfort-inducing herniated discs to grave spinal cord harm. The implications extend to other bodily regions depending on the injury site, potentially causing chronic pain and even paralysis. Such catastrophic injuries could result in lifelong wheelchair dependency and ongoing medical care.

Too Tight? Too Big? A Guide to Properly Fitting Motorcycle Helmets

Even though you choose what you think is the right helmet size, it is very important to make sure that you have the proper fit.

Nearly every motorcycle shop that sells helmets will help you determine what works best, but knowing what to look for and what a helmet should feel like can help you make sure that nothing is left unchecked.

What many riders forget is that helmets should be fitted for comfort and safety. This can be especially true for new riders who may be unaccustomed to how snug motorcycle helmets actually are.

Familiarize yourself with the following fit checks, which should be done with a snug helmet with the chin straps secured:

1. Forehead Gap: It is a good indication that a helmet is too big if you can slip your pinky in between your forehead and the helmet. It should be so snug that there is no additional room, even for your smallest finger.

2. Lifting the Helmet: When the chin strap is secure, you should not be able to lift the helmet whatsoever from your head, either from the front or the back.

3. Red Marks or Pressure Points: While a helmet should be snug, it should not cause any red marks or deep indentations to form on your head, face, or neck.

4. Side to Side Head Shake: A helmet fits properly if your skin moves along with the helmet when shaking your head firmly from side to side. If the helmet moves but your face does not, the helmet is too big.

5. Room for Face Shields: If the helmet has a face shield, there should be enough room between it and your face so that your nose or chin does not touch the shield.

It is also imperative to remember never to use a helmet that has already been involved in a previous accident – even if it was a minor one. It is impossible to tell what interior damage may have been done to the helmet, which may decrease its effectiveness in the event of another impact.

Defenses Against Motorcycle Accident Claims in Iowa

If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Iowa and are pursuing a claim for damages, the insurance company or other driver is bound to present arguments against your claim. To make sure that your case is solid, familiarizing yourself with common defenses against motorcycle accident claims and hiring an attorney are important.

You Violated Motorcycle Regulations: Perhaps the most commonly used defense is that you, the motorcyclist, were in violation of motorcycle laws and regulations at the time of the accident. Motorcyclists must adhere to motorcycle-specific laws, like not carrying a package that restricts a driver from using both hands (Iowa Code 321.275(6)) or not riding more than two abreast in a lane (Iowa Code 321.275(4)). If the other driver can prove that a violation occurred and that the violation caused the accident, then your claim might be in jeopardy.

You Were Speeding: Another common argument is that you were speeding at the time of the accident and that the speeding caused the accident. If the defense can prove you were speeding – or that any other traffic violations occurred, like an illegal lane change – then you may be partially or totally at fault for the accident. If you’re partially at fault, the damages you recover may be reduced proportionally to your percentage of fault. But if you were more than 50 percent at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages.

You Were Driving While Impaired: Another common defense is that the motorcyclist was impaired at the time of the accident. If you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can severely hinder your ability to recover damages. The insurance company or court will again assign you a percentage of fault, which affects your ability to recover damages. In many cases, impairment will prevent you from recovering damages.

You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet: While Iowa doesn’t require you to wear a helmet, not wearing one might be an issue in your motorcycle accident claim if you suffered head or neck injuries. The insurance company or other driver may argue that not wearing a helmet led to more severe injuries than you might have suffered otherwise had you been wearing one. This could increase your comparative negligence, and therefore, reduce the damages you have to recover. Talk to your attorney about establishing that helmet use did not have an impact on your injury severity.

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.