Attorneys
- Northwood Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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Motorcycle accidents carry a high risk of serious injury for riders throughout Northwood. Motorcyclists face greater risk than passenger car drivers given their relative lack of protection, and many are hospitalized each year for severe injuries requiring surgery or intensive care. Understanding the warning signs of internal injuries, knowing why the insurance company is not on your side, and learning how to properly file a claim are all essential steps for any Northwood rider recovering from a crash.
Internal Injury Signs After a Northwood Motorcycle Accident
Internal injuries are a common result of a motorcycle accident. Riders may experience internal bleeding in the abdomen, head, or other areas depending on where the impact occurred. Blunt trauma or penetration can cause internal bleeding, and while any sign of internal bleeding warrants a trip to the hospital, some bleeding may stop on its own without intervention. Severe or uncontrolled bleeding may require surgery.
Possible Internal Injuries From a Motorcycle Crash
- Tears in the aorta, superior or inferior vena cava, or their branches
- Tears, cuts, or blunt trauma to organs such as the spleen or liver
- Bleeding around the lungs
- Intracranial hemorrhage
This is only a small sample of the internal injuries a Northwood rider might sustain after being thrown from a bike, run over by a vehicle, or otherwise experiencing blunt trauma in a collision.
Warning Signs to Watch For
In many cases, the signs of internal injury are obvious and severe, leaving no doubt that immediate medical care is needed. In other cases, the signs are more subtle, with no visible injury to alert the rider or bystanders to how serious the situation actually is.
Symptoms That Warrant Immediate Medical Attention
- Loss of consciousness or headache. Pain in the skull or loss of consciousness may indicate internal bleeding in the brain and requires immediate care.
- Swelling or pain in the abdomen. Swelling can occur due to blood collecting in the abdomen, and pain in this area may signal a more serious condition than an initial exam revealed.
- Discolored skin. Internal bleeding can cause the skin to turn a deep purple as blood seeps into the soft tissue beneath the surface.
- Light-headedness or fainting. Internal blood loss can cause dizziness, and any fainting spell or dizziness after a crash should be examined right away to rule out internal injury.
After receiving medical treatment for internal injuries from a motorcycle accident, a Northwood rider may need the help of an attorney to recover compensation. If you have experienced large medical bills, lost time at work, or a decreased ability to return to work after your accident, an attorney can help you explore your options.
Why the Insurance Company Is Not Always on Your Side
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and they would rather collect premiums than pay claims. The insurance adjuster may seem friendly, but the adjuster is not on your side, is under no obligation to help you, and is not even required by law to tell you the truth. If you are dealing with an adjuster directly rather than through an attorney, there are several things every Northwood rider should keep in mind.
What to Know Before Talking to an Adjuster
- Always tell the truth. The adjuster's biggest job is to pay you as little as possible and close your case. They will want documentation for lost wages, medical care, and prior medical treatment, and any inconsistency will likely reduce their offer.
- You generally do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. If they insist on a statement, you may be able to agree to an unrecorded one instead.
- Your own insurance company may require a recorded statement if you are making a claim against your own policy, such as when the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. A recorded statement carries the same weight as testimony given under oath, so listen carefully to each question before answering.
- Do not try to hide prior accidents or injuries. Insurance companies maintain databases of prior claims, and failing to disclose past injuries can seriously damage your credibility and your case.
- Be matter-of-fact. Adjusters handle hundreds of files and are trained to look for anything that could reduce the value of your case. Stick to the facts, avoid volunteering unrelated information, and stay calm even if the conversation becomes frustrating.
Know Your Statute of Limitations
Under Iowa law, an injured rider generally has two years from the date of the accident to bring a claim, though exceptions exist. If you are not familiar with the Iowa laws that apply to your situation, it is worth contacting a qualified attorney to ask, since many firms offer confidential, no-cost consultations to explain how the statute of limitations applies to your case.
Understand What You Are Giving Up Before Settling
If you attempt to settle a claim on your own, you need to understand that you are likely giving up all rights to future compensation and medical care in exchange for a sum of money today. Make sure any settlement terms are in writing, including who is responsible for paying medical bills and how health insurance reimbursement, known as subrogation, will be handled. Failing to address subrogation in a settlement can leave a Northwood rider responsible for paying their own health insurer back out of pocket.
Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute to Settle
Waiting to settle your case does not put pressure on the insurance company, it puts pressure on you. Most qualified injury attorneys want time before the statute of limitations expires to properly investigate a claim and prepare documents. Contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair early to protect your rights.
Filing a Claim for a Motorcycle Accident in Northwood
To recover damages after a motorcycle accident in Northwood, you must prove that the other driver was at fault. In basic terms, this means the other driver breached their duty to drive safely and reasonably, and that breach led to the accident.
Establishing the Other Driver's Negligence
Some drivers fail to account for motorcyclists when changing lanes or turning, such as not checking for a bike before making a left turn into oncoming traffic. To prove negligence, your case needs valid evidence, which can include a police report describing the cause and circumstances of the collision, any citations issued to either driver, photos of the scene and injuries, video of the accident, eyewitness statements, and the damaged vehicles themselves.
Steps to Protect Your Claim
- Keep all medical appointments
- Contact the insurance company promptly
- Keep all documents and communications related to the accident
How Helmet Use and Comparative Negligence Affect Your Case
Iowa does not have a helmet law, so a Northwood motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet has not violated any law. However, failing to wear a helmet may still affect an injury claim, particularly if the rider suffered a head injury. Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence system, which allows an injured rider to recover damages even if they were partially at fault, as long as they were no more than fifty percent at fault for the accident. Any damage award is reduced by the rider's percentage of fault. Helmet use is generally not a factor in injuries unrelated to the head, such as road rash on the leg, since a helmet would not have prevented that type of injury.
Types of Damages Available
Economic damages in a motorcycle accident claim can include current and future loss of income and medical bills. Catastrophic injuries may require significant future medical care, such as home care for a brain or spinal cord injury or additional surgeries, so it is important to account for these costs when calculating losses. Noneconomic damages are also recoverable and may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life.
Whether you are dealing with internal injuries from a motorcycle crash, an insurance adjuster who is not looking out for your best interests, or the process of proving fault in a claim.
Consulting a Northwood 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.