Carroll Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Broken Bones Are Among the Most Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there were over 1,000 motorcycle injury crashes in Iowa in 2012 alone. The injuries that follow these crashes can be extremely painful, expensive to treat, and may require a lengthy healing period. Among the most common injuries that motorcyclists sustain is broken bones.

Motorcyclists have very little protection in the event of an accident. Whatever protective gear is on their bodies, such as helmets and riding jackets, is generally all that stands between them and catastrophic injury. That reality means that when a crash happens, broken bones are a frequent and serious result.

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone

The most distinct characteristic of a broken bone is typically intense pain at the affected area. However, other signs can also indicate a fracture and should prompt immediate medical attention. These include swelling, bruising, bleeding, limited mobility at the site of the injury, numbness, tingling, broken skin with a protruding bone, and an obviously misshapen or out-of-place limb or joint. Any of these symptoms following a motorcycle crash should be evaluated by a medical provider without delay.

Which Bones Are Most Frequently Broken in Motorcycle Accidents

There is no limitation to the number or types of bones that can be broken in a motorcycle crash. The factors that determine which bones are affected and how severely include the overall severity of the accident, the angle of impact, the speed the motorcyclist was traveling at the time of the crash, and the part of the body that absorbed the impact.

Motorcyclists commonly suffer rib fractures from the trauma of their torso striking the ground, another vehicle, or a fixed object. Collarbone, leg, arm, spine, and pelvis fractures are all possibilities as well. The severity and type of break will determine the healing and recovery timeline and whether there is any risk of long-term complications.

Recovery Time and the Risk of Long-Term Complications

Treatment for a broken bone varies greatly depending on where the fracture is and how serious it is. Cast immobilization is typically used for breaks in the limbs. A functional cast or brace may be appropriate for minor fractures. More serious breaks may require surgery to repair properly.

Certain fractures carry especially serious risks. A broken spine is among the most traumatizing injuries a motorcyclist can sustain. If a break of the spinal column causes any disturbance to the spinal cord, the resulting injuries can be severe and permanent. Spinal cord injury can cause permanent paralysis. Even fractures that heal on their own timeline carry the potential for future complications. Post-traumatic arthritis, for example, may develop at the site of a past fracture and cause ongoing problems for a person later in life.

In Iowa, the law requires that a motorcycle injury case be filed within two years of the injury occurring in order to recover damages. That deadline makes speaking with an attorney promptly after a crash a legal necessity, not just a good idea.

Cervical Radicular Pain and Nerve Injuries After a Motorcycle Crash

Beyond broken bones, motorcycle accidents frequently cause serious damage to the spine and the nerve structures surrounding it. One condition that Carroll riders may face after a crash is cervical radiculopathy, more commonly known as cervical radicular pain. Understanding this injury, how it is treated, and how it fits into a personal injury claim is important for anyone dealing with neck pain, numbness, or weakness following a motorcycle accident.

Radicular pain or radiculopathy is a condition in which the nerves stop functioning properly due to disease or trauma. The problem originates at the root of the nerve in the spinal area, but the pain is often felt in other parts of the body entirely. Many cases of radicular pain occur in the cervical spine, which is the neck region, and result in severe neck pain along with other symptoms that can significantly interfere with daily life.

What Causes Cervical Radicular Pain in Accident Victims

In many cases, a herniated disc, typically the result of trauma such as a motorcycle accident or a fall, is the underlying cause of cervical radicular pain. The material from a ruptured disc can press against the nerve root, compressing it and generating pain. Radicular pain may also result from arthritis or other forms of degenerative bone disease, though accident-related trauma is a leading trigger. The condition can result in pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of motor control, all of which can make it impossible to work or participate in ordinary daily activities.

Traditional Treatments for Cervical Radicular Pain

Many patients dealing with cervical radicular pain begin treatment with conservative therapies. These may include corticosteroids and pain medication, with dosing options ranging from oral medication to injectable treatments depending on what the treating physician recommends. Physical therapy is frequently part of the treatment plan as well, and may include cervical traction, either mechanical or manual, along with other methods designed to relieve symptoms. When conservative treatment fails and the pain becomes intolerable, surgery is often the next step that providers consider.

The Epidural Nerve Block Procedure: An Alternative to Surgery

Before surgery is pursued, another treatment option known as the epidural nerve block procedure may provide meaningful pain relief for patients dealing with cervical radicular pain. This procedure involves the injection of a corticosteroid into the epidural space of the spine. The physician uses a fluoroscope to guide the placement of the needle in real time using X-ray imaging. A contrast medium allows the doctor to confirm the needle is positioned correctly before the medication is delivered. A local anesthetic such as lidocaine is typically included in the injection along with the corticosteroid, and pain relief is monitored over a set period of time following the procedure.

The epidural nerve block is minimally invasive and can be an excellent alternative to surgery. Complications are generally minor and include a small risk of infection, slight bleeding, and minor pain around the injection site. Patients should discuss the full range of possible side effects with their treating physician before proceeding with any injection or treatment plan.

Living with cervical radicular pain is not easy. The patient's daily life becomes organized around pain management. Patients may be unable to work, unable to sleep properly, and unable to enjoy activities that were once routine. When the injury is the result of an accident that someone else caused, that person should not be left shouldering the financial and physical burden alone.

Who Pays the Medical Bills After a Carroll Motorcycle Accident

This is one of the most pressing questions injured motorcyclists face, and the answer depends on how the accident occurred and what insurance coverage is available. The key point that every Carroll rider needs to understand is that the at-fault driver's insurance company will rarely pay medical bills as they are being incurred, even when liability is clear. Payment from the other driver's insurer typically comes only at the time of a final settlement, when the company can obtain a release in exchange.

That reality means injured riders need to identify other sources of payment for their bills while the case is pending. Knowing where to look for coverage can prevent medical debt from compounding an already difficult situation. The available options typically include the following.

• Personal health insurance through an employer's benefits package
• Individual health insurance purchased independently
• Health insurance coverage obtained by a spouse, or for minors living at home, by a parent
• Medical payments insurance coverage from a personal auto or motorcycle insurance policy, which may apply whether the rider was on their own bike or as a passenger on another person's motorcycle. In some cases, coverage may be available from both the vehicle's insurer and the rider's own insurer
• Healthcare.gov or Medicaid, for those who do not have existing insurance coverage but may qualify under the Affordable Care Act
• Personal funds, for those who are uninsured and able to pay bills as they come in

When Funds Are Not Available to Cover Medical Costs

Medical debt following a serious motorcycle crash can grow quickly, and not every injured rider has the financial resources to keep up with bills during a long recovery. When there are insufficient funds to pay doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers, a Carroll motorcycle attorney can help facilitate assignment agreements. Through these arrangements, the injured rider authorizes the law firm to pay the medical provider directly from any settlement or verdict that is ultimately recovered. In many cases, medical providers will agree to wait for payment until the time of settlement rather than pursue collection against an injured patient.

One additional point that all injured motorcyclists in Carroll should understand involves subrogation. Nearly all insurance policies include a subrogation provision, which means the insurer requires reimbursement if the insured later recovers money for medical bills from another party or insurance company. Managing subrogation claims and negotiating their amounts down is another area where having an attorney represents direct financial value to an injured client.

Liability and Recovering Damages After a Carroll Motorcycle Accident

If a motorcycle accident and the injuries that followed were the result of another driver's negligent or irresponsible actions, that driver may be liable for the full range of damages sustained. In Iowa, recoverable damages in a motorcycle accident case can include medical expenses, future medical expenses for ongoing treatment such as nerve block procedures, lost wages suffered as a result of the injury, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Proving the liability of another driver and securing the full compensation available is not a straightforward process, particularly in cases involving serious injuries or significant damages. The evidence needs to be gathered, liability needs to be established, the value of the claim needs to be accurately calculated, and every aspect of the medical picture needs to be properly documented and presented. Attempting to manage all of that while recovering from broken bones, spinal injuries, or chronic nerve pain is an enormous burden.

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Consulting a Carroll 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. 

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