Lenox Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle injury lawyers become unwavering supporters for riders when disaster strikes. Their expertise in motorcycle accidents allows them to manage legal intricacies and secure the justice and compensation injured riders deserve.

Default May Not Be Enough: Explore Motorcycle Insurance Company Coverage

Motorcycle enthusiasts in Iowa should be aware of the potential consequences of not carrying motorcycle insurance. Under the Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act, motorcyclists who are pulled over by police without insurance can lose their licenses. Moreover, if a biker is at fault in an accident, they can be held responsible for the full cost of repairs and medical bills. To ensure a carefree riding experience, it’s important to investigate what your motorcycle insurance company has to offer beyond basic bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

Spending a little extra on the front end for comprehensive coverage can save you thousands later, especially when an accident limits your ability to earn. Here are some optional vehicle coverage options worth considering:

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Even if you carry insurance, not all drivers do. In an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, their insurance may not cover your injuries. By purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can ensure that your damages are paid if another driver is at fault.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

- Comprehensive Coverage: Pays for damages to your bike from incidents other than a motor vehicle accident, such as:
  - Flood
  - Fire
  - Vandalism

- Collision Coverage: Helps cover the cost of repairs if you’re involved in an accident caused by colliding with an object other than another vehicle.

Medical Expense Coverage

Medical expense coverage is one of the most valuable options, as it will cover medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident, regardless of fault.

Roadside Assistance Coverage

Roadside assistance coverage provides free towing if you have an accident, run out of gas, or experience a breakdown. Pair this with excursion diversion insurance (interrupted trip insurance), which provides lodging, food, and transportation if an accident occurs more than 100 miles from home.

When Insurance Coverage Is Not Enough

Sometimes, the damages from an accident are so severe that insurance alone is not enough. In such cases, consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to recover the total cost of all damages incurred. In Iowa, claims must be filed within two years under Iowa Code 614.1. 

Understanding Motorcycle Helmets: Replacement After an Accident

Motorcycle Helmet Safety Tips

Even minor motorcycle accidents can cause serious, invisible damage to a helmet. Minor scratches or small dents may not reflect interior damage to the protective padding, which is why it’s crucial to replace a helmet after any accident.

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, if your head struck anything during an accident, the helmet likely absorbed some impact shock, compromising its effectiveness in future accidents. It’s typically best to buy a new helmet rather than repair a damaged one. The same advice applies if a helmet is dropped from a significant height or from a moving vehicle.

What’s the Value of My Motorcycle Accident Claim if I Suffered Permanent Injuries?

Permanent Injuries and Economic Damages

Calculating the exact value of a motorcycle accident claim can be challenging, especially with permanent, disabling injuries. Economic damages include:
- Wages missed during recovery
- Medical bills
- Other accident-related expenses

Permanent injuries may require long-term care, such as an in-home nurse, and must account for lost wages and the impact on your ability to work. A 2010 Health Council study estimated that motorcycle-related injuries cost $12 billion in medical care and lost productivity.

Permanent Injuries and Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability, are harder to calculate. Insurance companies may use a multiplier based on the severity of your injuries to estimate these damages.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Motorcycle Wreck Case?

Establishing damages and proving the other motorist’s fault are crucial in a liability claim. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages in Iowa. Even partial fault reduces the damages you can recover proportionally.

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.