Pocahontas Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

When calamity hits, motorcycle injury lawyers act as steadfast defenders for riders. Specializing in motorcycle accidents, they navigate legal intricacies to secure justice and compensation for the injured.

Emotional and Physical Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident: Understanding Your Rights and Options

Motorcyclists face a wide range of risks on the road, from soft tissue injuries to severe head and spinal cord injuries. Beyond the physical injuries, many riders suffer from significant emotional trauma after an accident. This emotional distress can and should be factored into any liability claims or lawsuits against negligent drivers.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

One of the most common forms of emotional trauma following a motorcycle accident is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Once primarily associated with soldiers returning from war, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, including motorcyclists involved in accidents. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), PTSD symptoms are categorized into three main types:

1. Re-experiencing: This includes flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the accident.
2. Avoidance: Individuals may avoid certain activities, places, or even thoughts that remind them of the incident. They may also experience emotional numbness, guilt, depression, and difficulty remembering the event.
3. Hyperarousal: This includes being easily startled, feeling edgy, having trouble sleeping, and experiencing intense anger.

Head Injuries and Depression

Head injuries are particularly concerning in motorcycle accidents. Despite the absence of mandatory helmet laws in states like Iowa, wearing a helmet is crucial for reducing the risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Studies have shown a strong link between TBI and depression. For example, research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that one-third of participants developed major depressive disorder within a year of sustaining a TBI. Similarly, a study in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship noted a significant relationship between chronic stress post-TBI and depression.

Burn Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Burn injuries are another serious concern for motorcyclists. These can arise from road rash, exhaust burns, windburn, or fires resulting from collisions.

1. Road Rash: Also known as road burn, this occurs when a rider's skin scrapes against the pavement. Severe cases may require stitches and carry a high risk of infection.
2. Exhaust Burns: Contact with the exhaust pipe can cause painful burns, often resulting in permanent scarring. A study by Athens University Medical School found that most exhaust burn injuries occur below the knee on the right leg, with passengers being more frequently affected than riders.
3. Windburn: This type of burn happens when the wind damages the outer skin layer, causing painful, dry, and itchy skin.
4. Burns from Collisions: Fires caused by mechanical failures or collisions can lead to first-, second-, and third-degree burns, each requiring different medical treatments.

Emotional Trauma in Personal Injury Cases

When filing a claim for a motorcycle accident, it's crucial to include emotional trauma in the monetary damages. This can encompass:

- Mental health assessments
- Counseling sessions
- Ongoing treatment
- Compensation for mental anguish

However, if you weren't wearing a helmet during the accident, this might affect your settlement, especially for head injuries. The defendant or insurance company could argue that helmet use might have prevented or reduced the severity of your injuries. It's essential to discuss this with your attorney to understand how helmet use might impact your claim.

Iowa’s Comparative Negligence Rules

In Iowa, if you are partially at fault for a motorcycle accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Under comparative negligence rules, as long as you are less than 51 percent responsible, you can still seek financial compensation. For instance, if your settlement is $100,000 and you are found to be 25 percent at fault, you will receive $75,000.

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.