Onawa Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle injury attorneys serve as steadfast supporters for riders when tragedy strikes. Specializing in motorcycle accidents, they manage legal challenges to ensure injured riders receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Types of Special Motorcycle Insurance Coverage and Safety Considerations in Iowa

Motorcycle riding is a popular activity in Iowa, but it comes with its own set of risks and responsibilities. To ensure safety and compliance with state laws, motorcyclists need to understand the specific insurance requirements, advanced safety equipment available, and how helmet laws can affect their legal claims in the event of an accident. This article covers these crucial aspects in detail.

Iowa's Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

In Iowa, motorcycle owners must adhere to the state’s financial responsibility requirements, similar to other motorists. This includes maintaining the minimum liability insurance, which is set at:
- $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 for property damage liability

Liability insurance is essential as it covers damages incurred by other motorists in accidents caused by the policyholder. If a driver cannot show proof of insurance when stopped by law enforcement or involved in an accident, their license may be revoked.

It's important to note that the auto insurance policy for a car does not cover a motorcycle; each vehicle requires its own insurance policy.

Optional Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

While liability insurance is mandatory, motorcyclists have the option to purchase additional coverage for better protection. These optional policies include:

- Collision Insurance: Covers damages to the motorcycle from accidents with vehicles, objects, or rollovers, irrespective of fault.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Covers non-collision-related damages such as those from fire, weather events, vandalism, floods, theft, and animal damage.
- Medical Expense Insurance: Pays for medical expenses incurred by the policyholder regardless of fault, up to the policy limits.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UM/UIM): Protects against damages caused by drivers without insurance, with insufficient insurance, or hit-and-run drivers.

For motorcyclists who have customized their bikes, accessory or optional equipment coverage can be purchased. This type of insurance covers modifications and enhancements to the motorcycle's appearance or performance, ensuring the policyholder can recover expenses spent on customizations in the event of an accident.

Filing a Motorcycle Insurance Claim

After an accident, motorcyclists should collect and save the following:
- Accident report
- Witness contact information
- Other motorist's contact and insurance information
- Photographs of the accident scene and the bike

Motorcyclists should notify their insurance company about the accident, providing details about the incident and the parties involved. If the other motorist is at fault, a liability claim should also be filed with their insurance company.

In cases where fair compensation cannot be recovered from the other driver’s insurance, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit. If applicable coverage, like collision or medical expense insurance, is in place, the policyholder may also recover damages through their own insurance.

Advanced Motorcycle Safety Equipment

Motorcycle safety equipment has evolved significantly, offering riders more protection than ever before. While helmets, gloves, boots, and eye protection are well-known, there are several innovative safety gear options that riders should consider.

Motorcycle Airbag Jackets

Motorcycle airbag jackets are a relatively new addition to rider safety gear. These jackets contain built-in airbags that inflate in the event of a crash. There are two main types of airbag jackets:
- Cable-Activated Jackets: These jackets have a cable connected to the motorcycle. When the rider is thrown from the bike, the cable pulls free and triggers the CO2 cartridge, inflating the jacket within 100 to 300 milliseconds.
- Sensor-Activated Jackets: More advanced jackets use sensors to detect a loss of control or a fall, inflating the jacket in under 60 milliseconds without needing a physical connection to the bike.

Motorcycle Smart Helmets

Smart helmets are designed to reduce distractions and enhance safety. These helmets come equipped with:
- Bluetooth headsets
- Microphones
- Music and voice connectivity
- Smartphone and GPS integration

Some smart helmets can also provide warnings about upcoming road conditions, such as sharp turns, and display maps and other data directly on the visor, helping riders maintain focus on the road.

Iowa Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Legal Claims

Iowa does not have a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. While this gives riders the freedom to choose, it also leads to significant safety risks. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, 83 percent of motorcycle fatalities over the past five years involved riders not wearing helmets.

Impact on Legal Claims

Even though Iowa does not mandate helmet use, the state's comparative negligence laws can affect compensation in motorcycle accident claims. Comparative negligence means that if an injured party is found to be partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. If the rider is more than 50 percent at fault, they may not recover any compensation.

For example, if a motorcyclist suffers head injuries in an accident but was not wearing a helmet, they might be considered partially at fault for not taking precautions to protect their head and neck. This could reduce the amount of damages they can recover.

However, if the injuries are unrelated to head protection, such as a broken leg, helmet use would not factor into the compensation.

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.