Roland Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

In the event of a tragedy, motorcycle injury attorneys serve as committed defenders for riders. Specializing in motorcycle accidents, they handle legal challenges to ensure justice and compensation for injured riders.

Why You Should Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Roland

When a motorcycle accident occurs, the last thing the victim and their family typically consider is taking legal action; instead, thoughts are usually focused on the victim’s injuries and recovery. While a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming and emotional, talking to a motorcycle accident attorney is imperative.

Here’s why you or your family should talk to a motorcycle accident attorney in Roland as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident.

Damages from Serious Injuries

Even when motorcyclists ride with proper safety gear, serious injuries such as the following are common:
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries requiring skin grafts
- Soft tissue injuries

These injuries can be expensive to treat, even with health and motorcycle insurance. Moreover, if the injuries have a prolonged recovery time, the rider may be unable to return to work, necessitating special therapy or healthcare. An attorney can help you recover damages for all these expenses.

Gathering the Right Evidence

To recover damages, proving the fault of the other party is crucial. Evidence is essential to your claim, including:
- Physical evidence from the accident scene and pictures of it
- Medical documents, doctors’ statements, and medical bills
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- Key facts about the other driver (e.g., history of driving offenses)
- Possible proof of the other driver’s intoxication

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Who pays for your damages—your insurance company or the other driver—depends on various factors, including fault and insurance type. An attorney can handle negotiations with insurance companies, ensuring you receive a fair settlement. Often, insurance companies offer settlement amounts that are too low to cover adequate damages. An attorney’s advice and negotiating skills can prevent you from accepting an inadequate offer.

What Happens if I Was Partially at Fault in an Iowa Motorcycle Accident?

If you are found partially at fault in an Iowa motorcycle accident, the amount of compensation you can recover will be reduced. However, being partially responsible doesn't mean you can't seek compensation with the help of the injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair.

Iowa’s Comparative Negligence Rules

In Iowa, settlement calculations follow the rule of comparative negligence, which reduces compensation by your degree of fault in the accident. If you are less than 51% responsible, you can still pursue financial compensation. For example, if your settlement totals $100,000 and you are 25% at fault, you will receive $75,000. Proving fault and negligence is crucial, and an Iowa injury attorney can help you collect evidence, protect your rights, and present your case effectively.

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

Determining the exact value of a motorcycle accident claim, especially involving permanent injuries, is challenging because no two cases are alike. The severity and effects of injuries differ for each rider.

Permanent Injuries and Economic Damages

Economic damages include wages missed during recovery, medical bills, and other accident-related expenses. Permanent injuries cause lasting damages, potentially requiring long-term care. Your attorney and expert witnesses may estimate your lost wages and medical costs.

A Health Council study in 2010 found that medical care and lost productivity from motor vehicle-related injuries cost $99 billion, with motorcycle injuries accounting for $12 billion.

Permanent Injuries and Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability, are harder to calculate. Insurance companies may use a multiplier based on injury severity to estimate these damages. For example, a severe head injury may warrant higher non-economic damages than a knee injury.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Motorcycle Wreck Case?

In addition to establishing your damages, you must provide evidence of the other motorist’s fault. If the other motorist blames you, present evidence to refute their claims. Iowa’s negligence laws state that if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages; even if you are less than 51% at fault, your recoverable damages are proportionally reduced.

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.