Clinton Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Clinton sits along a stretch of eastern Iowa where riders travel state and county routes throughout the riding season. Whether on a weekend ride or a daily commute, Clinton motorcyclists share the road with drivers who too often fail to see them, misjudge their speed, or simply are not paying attention. When that inattention turns into a collision, the results can be devastating. This guide covers the most important things every Clinton rider and motorcycle accident victim needs to know.

Why Motorcycles Are So Vulnerable in a Crash

A motorcycle lacks the crash worthiness and protection of today's cars. A car has significantly more weight and mass than a motorcycle. It has a roll cage area, a roof, airbags, and seatbelts. It is also more stable because it has four wheels. Because of its size, a car is also easier for other drivers to see than a motorcycle. What a motorcycle sacrifices in these areas is somewhat offset by its ability to stop and turn quickly when necessary, but only if the rider has been properly trained.

These structural differences mean that when a motorcycle and a car collide, the rider almost always absorbs the worst of the impact. Understanding the most common types of crashes, and how to reduce the chances of being involved in one, is critical for every rider on Clinton's roads.

The Most Common Types of Motorcycle Crashes and How to Avoid Them

In 1981, a landmark study called the Hurt Report examined motorcycle safety and identified recurring crash patterns along with prevention strategies. The findings remain relevant today and provide a practical framework for understanding how most motorcycle crashes happen.

Another Driver Turns Left in Front of You

This is the single most common type of motorcycle crash. Another driver either fails to see the motorcyclist or misjudges their speed while turning at an intersection. The other driver may be distracted, on a cell phone, or simply not looking for motorcycles. To reduce this risk, riders should approach intersections with caution and watch for signs that a driver may turn in front of them, including gaps in traffic, driveways, and parking lot entrances. Look at the wheels of the vehicle rather than the vehicle itself, as wheels provide the first sign of movement. Slow down as you approach any intersection, get ready to apply the brakes, and be prepared to take evasive action.

Riders should avoid the instinct to lay their bike down. The best chance of minimizing injury is reducing speed as much as possible before any impact. This is best accomplished by keeping the bike upright and applying both brakes. Knowing how to properly use the front brake is one of the most difficult but critical skills in motorcycle riding. Even reducing speed by 10 to 20 miles per hour before impact can make the difference between going home with bruises and not going home at all.

A Car Changes Lanes Into You

Motorcycles can easily end up in the blind spot of another driver, and many drivers simply are not watching for motorcycles when they change lanes. Riders should be aware of where blind spots are located and spend as little time in them as possible. A useful rule of thumb: if you can see a driver's eyes in their mirrors, they have the ability to see you too. Extra caution is warranted wherever lane changes are likely, such as when traffic slows in one lane and adjacent lanes remain open. Watch for warning signs that a driver may be about to move over, including turn signals, a vehicle drifting within its own lane, or a driver's head turning to check mirrors.

A Car Strikes You From Behind

Coming to a stop at a red light or stop sign and being rear-ended is a collision that might qualify as a fender bender in a car. For a motorcyclist, it can be fatal. Riders should consider installing brake lights that flash when the brakes are applied, as these give following drivers a more visible warning. When stopped, position the motorcycle toward the side of the center of the lane, keep it in gear, and keep the right hand near the throttle. Pay attention to vehicles approaching from behind and be ready to move if a driver is not slowing down.

The Four Biggest Risk Factors in Iowa Motorcycle Crashes

Beyond specific crash scenarios, four overarching risk factors account for the vast majority of serious motorcycle accidents in Iowa.

Lack of training is the leading factor. An estimated 92 percent of motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially untrained. They are often self-taught or learned from family or friends. Proper training is the single most important step a rider can take to reduce the likelihood of a crash and limit the severity of injuries if one does occur.

Alcohol use is involved in nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes. Riding impaired dramatically reduces reaction time, balance, and judgment, all of which are even more critical on a motorcycle than behind the wheel of a car.

Excessive speed contributes to a significant portion of motorcycle crashes, whether by taking a corner too fast or by traveling above the speed limit and not having enough stopping distance when a car suddenly pulls out.

Poor maintenance, while responsible for only about 3 percent of motorcycle crashes overall, accounts for most single-vehicle accidents involving the rider losing control, most often due to a flat tire. Losing control at high speed consistently results in serious injury to the rider.

Helmet Use and Iowa Law

Iowa is one of the few states in which riders have the legal right to ride without a helmet. However, the decision deserves serious thought. Statistics show that a helmet is the most important safety device available to a motorcyclist. Motorcycle helmets have a hard outer shell that protects the brain and distributes the force of an impact. Newer helmets also have an inner liner that absorbs impact energy. Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the chance of sustaining a disabling or deadly brain injury. If you do wear a helmet, make sure it meets federal safety standards, as information on approved helmets is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Riders should also keep in mind that most other states require helmets, so any time you leave Iowa, helmet laws will likely apply.

Common Serious Injuries in Iowa Motorcycle Accidents

When negligence leads to a motorcycle crash, the injuries that follow can affect virtually every part of the body. Understanding what these injuries involve helps victims and their families grasp the full scope of what they may be facing in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Fractures

In the event of a motorcycle collision, virtually any bone in the body is susceptible to fracture. In severe breaks where bones protrude through the skin, the risk of infection is significantly heightened. Certain fracture types bring additional complications. Prolonged immobilization, for instance, can elevate the danger of blood clots or bedsores, adding layers of medical complexity to an already serious situation.

Road Rash

Road rash occurs when a motorcyclist's body makes contact with the ground, such as from skidding across pavement. Like a burn injury, road rash ranges in severity. The most serious cases cause damage to the tissues and muscles beneath the skin. Complications such as infection are common, and skin grafts may be required to expedite healing and cover exposed areas. These injuries require extensive treatment and often leave lasting physical and emotional scars.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A severe traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can affect a person in a wide variety of ways depending on the severity of the impact. Mild concussions may bring about temporary confusion and headaches. More severe TBI can produce lasting complications including persistent problems with memory and concentration, shifts in personality, impaired movement and coordination, and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. The effects can be long-term or permanent, reshaping every aspect of a victim's daily life.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries in motorcycle accidents range from herniated discs that cause significant discomfort to severe spinal cord damage with life-altering consequences. Depending on the location of the injury along the spine, the implications extend to other areas of the body, potentially causing chronic pain and paralysis. The most catastrophic spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong wheelchair dependency and ongoing medical care, making them among the most expensive and life-disrupting outcomes of any accident.

Understanding Your Iowa Motorcycle Insurance Coverage

Iowa motorcyclists who do not carry motorcycle insurance can lose their licenses if stopped by law enforcement under the Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act. Beyond the legal requirement, the right insurance coverage is the financial foundation that protects riders and their families when the worst happens. Standard policies typically include bodily injury and property damage liability, but there are several additional coverage options that are well worth considering.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Not all drivers carry insurance, and even those who do may not carry enough to fully compensate a seriously injured motorcyclist. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you in exactly these situations. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries, this policy steps in to help ensure your damages are covered. For motorcyclists facing catastrophic injury costs, this coverage can be the difference between full compensation and devastating financial loss.

Medical Expense Coverage

Medical expense coverage is one of the most valuable optional coverages available to Iowa riders. It pays for the medical expenses of both the rider and any passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. Given the serious nature of most motorcycle injuries and the substantial medical bills they generate, having this coverage in place provides critical protection from day one.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your bike that occurs outside of a motor vehicle accident, covering events such as flood, fire, and vandalism. Collision coverage, by contrast, helps pay for repairs when you are involved in an accident caused by colliding with another object other than a motor vehicle. Both types of coverage protect your investment in your bike and help ensure you are not left paying out of pocket for damage caused by circumstances beyond your control.

Roadside Assistance and Interrupted Trip Coverage

If you experience an accident while on a ride, run out of gas, or suffer a mechanical breakdown, roadside assistance coverage provides free towing. Excursion diversion insurance, sometimes called interrupted trip insurance, pairs well with roadside assistance. It provides riders with lodging, food, and transportation in the event of an accident that occurs more than 100 miles from home. Following a thorough pre-ride safety checklist can reduce the frequency with which these coverages are needed, but having them in place provides important peace of mind on longer rides.

When Insurance Coverage Is Not Enough

Despite the many coverage options available to Iowa motorcyclists, sometimes the damages that result from a serious accident exceed what any insurance policy will pay. When this happens, filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages may be the appropriate path to recovering the full cost of all losses incurred. Under Iowa Code 614.1, a personal injury claim must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Waiting too long to act can permanently eliminate your right to seek compensation, no matter how serious your injuries.

The financial toll from severe motorcycle injuries can encompass substantial medical expenses, long-term care costs, lost wages during recovery, and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to previous employment. Pain and suffering and emotional distress are also compensable damages under Iowa law. Getting help from a qualified motorcycle accident attorney allows injured riders to pursue the full range of compensation they are entitled to.

Consulting a Clinton 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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