Ankeny Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

A motorcycle accident can happen in an instant, but the consequences can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in or around Ankeny, Iowa, there are three things you need to understand right away: the hidden dangers of internal injuries, the tactics insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim, and why speaking with an experienced Ankeny motorcycle attorney as soon as possible is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Motorcyclists Face a Higher Risk of Serious Injury

Motorcyclists are at significantly greater risk of injury than passenger car drivers due to their relative lack of physical protection on the road. Even when riders are wearing proper safety gear, serious injuries are common after a crash. These injuries can include head and brain injuries, broken bones, burn injuries requiring skin grafts, and soft tissue damage. Even if the motorcyclist has both health and motorcycle insurance, these damages can be financially devastating. When injuries involve a prolonged recovery time, the rider may be unable to return to work and earn income, and may face ongoing costs for specialized therapy or medical care.

For Ankeny riders who have been hurt through no fault of their own, understanding the full scope of potential injuries and the legal tools available to pursue compensation is essential. One of the most dangerous and frequently overlooked categories of motorcycle accident injuries is internal injury, which does not always present obvious symptoms at the scene of a crash.

Understanding Internal Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident

Internal injuries are a common result of motorcycle accidents, yet they are among the most dangerous precisely because they can be difficult to detect without medical evaluation. Accident victims may experience internal bleeding in the abdomen, the head, or other areas of the body depending on the nature of the trauma. Blunt force impact or penetration can both cause internal bleeding. While some internal bleeding may stop on its own without intervention, severe or uncontrolled bleeding can require emergency surgery and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Some of the possible internal injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include tears in the aorta, the superior vena cava, the inferior vena cava, or their branches. Motorcyclists can also suffer tears, cuts, or blunt trauma to vital organs such as the spleen or liver. Bleeding around the lungs is another serious possibility, as is intracranial hemorrhage, which is bleeding within or around the brain. These injuries can result from being thrown from the bike, being run over by another vehicle, or experiencing any form of significant blunt trauma in a collision.

Internal Injury Warning Signs Every Ankeny Rider Should Know

In some cases, the signs of an internal injury are severe and immediately obvious, leaving no doubt that emergency care is required. In other cases, however, the warning signs are subtle, with no visible external injury to alert bystanders or even the victim to the seriousness of what is happening internally. Knowing what to watch for after a motorcycle accident in Ankeny or anywhere in Iowa could be the difference between life and death.

Any of the following symptoms may be an internal injury sign and should prompt an immediate call to 911 or a trip to the nearest emergency room for evaluation:

• Loss of consciousness or severe headache: Pain in the skull or a loss of consciousness may result from internal hemorrhaging in the brain. This is an emergency situation that requires immediate medical care and should never be dismissed as minor.
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen: Swelling in the abdominal area can occur when blood collects internally following an injury. Pain in this region may also signal a more serious condition than an initial physical examination revealed.
• Discolored skin: Internal bleeding can cause the skin to turn a deep purple color as blood seeps into the soft tissues beneath the skin's surface. This visible discoloration may indicate a more serious internal injury requiring medical attention.
• Light-headedness or fainting: Blood loss that occurs internally can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Any fainting spell or persistent feeling of dizziness after a motorcycle accident requires a thorough medical examination to rule out an internal injury.

After receiving medical treatment for internal motorcycle accident injuries, the next critical step is to explore your legal options. If you have experienced large medical bills, lost time at work, or a decreased ability to return to work following the accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your motorcycle injuries. An experienced Ankeny motorcycle attorney can help you understand what damages you may be able to pursue and how to build the strongest possible case.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Ankeny

When a motorcycle accident occurs, the victim and his or her family are typically focused on one thing: recovery. Taking legal action is often the last thing on anyone's mind in those first hours and days. However, meeting with a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash is not just advisable, it is imperative. The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of your accident can have a lasting effect on your ability to recover the full compensation you deserve.

Recovering Damages for Serious and Lasting Injuries

Motorcycle accident injuries are often expensive and long-lasting. Even when a rider has health insurance and motorcycle coverage, the costs associated with hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care can quickly exceed what insurance policies will cover on their own. When injuries prevent a rider from returning to work, the financial strain becomes even more severe. An attorney can help you identify and document all of the damages you have suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you have endured, so that nothing is left on the table when it comes time to negotiate or litigate your claim.

Gathering the Right Evidence to Prove Fault

Part of recovering damages after a motorcycle accident involves proving that another party was at fault. Evidence is the foundation of any successful injury claim, and the types of evidence needed in a motorcycle accident case can include physical evidence from the accident scene and photographs of that evidence, medical documents and doctors' statements, medical bills, eyewitness testimony, police reports, information about the other driver's history of driving offenses, and any possible proof of intoxication on the part of the other driver. Collecting and preserving this evidence requires prompt action, and an experienced attorney knows exactly what to gather and how to use it effectively.

Navigating the Statute of Limitations

Iowa law gives injured motorcyclists two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While two years may seem like a long time, building a strong case takes time, and evidence can disappear quickly. Witnesses' memories fade, surveillance footage gets deleted, and physical evidence at the scene can be cleared away. Speaking with an Ankeny motorcycle attorney shortly after your crash helps ensure you are working within the legal deadlines while also giving your attorney the best opportunity to gather and preserve the evidence needed to support your claim.

How Insurance Adjusters Work Against Injured Motorcyclists

Once your claim is filed, you will be contacted by one or more insurance adjusters. Understanding what these adjusters are trained to do is one of the most important things an injured Ankeny motorcyclist can know. Insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their job is to pay you as little money as possible in order to maximize insurance company profits. While they may present themselves as helpful and sympathetic, they do not have your best interests in mind. They are trained in specific techniques designed to reduce the value of your claim and convince you to accept a settlement that is far lower than what you are actually owed.

Often, insurance companies will attempt to offer accident victims settlement amounts that are far too small to cover adequate damages. If the number seems large at first glance, it can be tempting to accept it, even when it is lower than it should be. This is exactly what insurance companies count on. Having an attorney handle negotiations on your behalf removes this risk and ensures that any offer is properly evaluated against the full scope of your losses before you make a decision.

Knowing Which Insurance Companies to Watch Out For

Not all insurance adjusters operate the same way, and understanding the tendencies of specific companies can help Ankeny motorcycle accident victims know what to expect. According to guidance from experienced Iowa injury attorneys, large national carriers like Liberty Mutual and Travelers often have in-house Iowa attorneys backing up their adjusters, and those attorneys may take an active role in managing your case. When the other side has legal representation actively working against you, it is critical that you have experienced legal counsel working for you.

Third-party administrators such as Sedgwick and Gallagher Bassett, which handle claims on behalf of self-insured companies or other insurers, can be even more difficult to deal with than a standard insurance company adjuster. They are often less responsive and harder to communicate with, and cases involving these administrators are more likely to require formal legal action to resolve. Companies like AIG and Zurich also regularly handle claims in Iowa, and their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts regardless of what Iowa law actually entitles an injured rider to receive.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement Without an Attorney

One of the most important pieces of advice for any Ankeny motorcycle accident victim dealing with insurance adjusters is this: do not give a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can be used to minimize or deny your claim. A statement made in the days following a crash, when you may still be in pain and not fully aware of the extent of your injuries, can be used against you in ways that significantly reduce the value of your case. An attorney can advise you on how to communicate with adjusters and protect your interests throughout the claims process.

Consulting a Ankeny 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. 

More Info on Ankeny Attorneys