Cresco Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: Default Coverage Is Often Not Enough

Under the Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act, motorcyclists who do not carry insurance can lose their licenses if pulled over. Beyond the legal consequences, a rider who is at fault in an accident and carries no insurance can be held personally responsible for the full cost of all repairs and medical bills. The financial exposure in a serious crash is significant, and the minimum required coverage may not come close to protecting you or the people riding with you.

Spending a little more on the front end for broader coverage can save thousands of dollars after a motorcycle crash, particularly when you are unable to earn income during recovery. The following coverage options go well beyond the basics and are worth careful consideration for any Cresco rider.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Not every driver on the road carries insurance, and even those who do may not carry enough to cover a motorcyclist's injuries and losses. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage steps in when the other driver's policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your damages. For motorcyclists, whose injuries in a crash are frequently severe, this type of coverage is one of the most important protections available.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your motorcycle caused by events other than a collision with another vehicle. This includes flood, fire, and vandalism. Collision coverage, by contrast, helps pay for repairs when your bike is damaged in an accident caused by striking another object. Together, these two coverages protect your investment in the bike itself, not just your liability to others.

Medical Expense Coverage

Medical expense coverage is one of the most valuable options a Cresco motorcyclist can carry. It pays for the medical costs of both the rider and any passengers following an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Given that motorcycle crashes routinely result in serious injuries requiring hospitalization, surgery, and extended rehabilitation, having a dedicated source of medical bill coverage can make an enormous difference during recovery.

Roadside Assistance and Excursion Diversion Coverage

Roadside assistance coverage provides free towing if you have an accident on the road, run out of gas, or experience a breakdown. Excursion diversion insurance, sometimes called interrupted trip insurance, pairs well with roadside assistance by providing 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 you need these coverages, but having them when you do need them is invaluable.

When Insurance Coverage Is Not Enough

Even with comprehensive coverage in place, there are situations where the damages from a motorcycle crash are so severe that insurance alone cannot make a rider whole. When that happens, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be the appropriate next step to recover the full cost of all damages. Under Iowa Code 614.1, a claim must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Missing that deadline can eliminate your right to any recovery, regardless of how serious your injuries are.

Can You Trust the Insurance Company After a Motorcycle Crash?

Iowa alone has more than 100 insurance companies selling policies ranging from personal injury coverage to workers' compensation. Many motorcycle crash victims assume that because they have been paying premiums faithfully, their insurer will step up and take care of them after an accident. That assumption can be a costly mistake.

Paying a premium does not guarantee that the insurance company will look out for you. Some riders believe that their own insurer will actively pursue a claim on their behalf against the at-fault driver. While your insurance company may seek to recover what it has paid out for property damage, it is highly unlikely to pursue a personal injury claim on your behalf. That responsibility falls to you, and how you navigate the process matters enormously.

If you are dealing with another driver's insurance company, or with the workers' compensation insurer for an employer if the crash happened while you were working, you should understand the following before you say anything or sign anything:

1. The insurance company is not representing you or your best interests.
2. The insurer is not required to tell you the truth.
3. Insurance companies are in the business of making the most profit possible, which means paying out as little as possible on claims.
4. The adjuster assigned to your file may be polite and easy to talk to, but that person is not looking out for you.
5. Insurance companies sell policies and do not like paying claims. That dynamic does not change simply because your injuries are severe.

Five Practical Tips for Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Crash

1. Always Tell the Truth

Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can and may be used against you in your claim, and later in any lawsuit. Even a small inconsistency or exaggeration can seriously damage your credibility. The best approach is straightforward honesty. If you tell the truth from the beginning, you will never have to worry about what you said.

2. Be Smart About What You Share with the Adjuster

Insurance companies have professional adjusters and lawyers working on their side. You should have a professional working on yours. If you hire a motorcycle accident attorney, your attorney will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf, protecting you from inadvertent statements that could reduce the value of your claim.

3. Document Everything

Keep a diary or journal recording how you feel each day following the crash. Document your pain levels, your limitations, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life and ability to work. Retain every medical bill, every explanation of benefits form from your health insurance, and every work excuse or restriction issued by your medical providers. This documentation helps prove the true extent of your damages and can result in a higher evaluation of your claim.

4. Be Thorough at Every Medical Appointment

The medical records created during your treatment will be the foundation of your injury claim. They document how you were injured, your physical complaints, your diagnoses, and your treatment. Tell your doctors everything that hurts and every way your injuries are limiting your life. The insurance company will base its offer on this information. If you fail to report a symptom early on and raise it weeks or months later, the insurer will likely argue that it is unrelated to the crash and reduce its offer accordingly.

5. Attend Medical Appointments Consistently

Missing appointments or going weeks without seeking care sends a signal to the insurance company, and eventually to a judge or jury, that you have recovered. If your doctor says "follow up as needed," that is an instruction to return in a few weeks if your problems continue, not permission to stop seeking care. Failing to follow up tells your doctor, the insurer, and any jurors reviewing your records that you no longer have problems and have made a full recovery, even when that is far from the truth.

Serious Injuries After a Motorcycle Crash: Understanding Cervical Radicular Pain and Epidural Nerve Block Treatment

Motorcycle crashes expose riders to impact forces that frequently result in neck and spine injuries. One of the most significant and often misunderstood injuries that can follow a crash is cervical radiculopathy, which is a condition in which the nerves in the cervical spine stop working properly. It can produce pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of motor control. Although the source of the problem is in the spinal area, the pain is frequently felt in the arms, hands, and other parts of the body far from the actual injury site.

What Causes Cervical Radicular Pain After a Motorcycle Accident

In many crash cases, a herniated disc is the underlying cause of cervical radicular pain. Trauma from a motorcycle crash or other significant impact can rupture a disc in the neck, causing the disc material to press against and compress the nearby nerve root. That compression is what generates the radiating pain, tingling, and weakness that patients experience. Radicular pain can also result from arthritis or other degenerative bone disease, though crash-related herniated discs are among the most common causes seen in personal injury cases.

Traditional Treatments for Cervical Radicular Pain

Many riders who suffer this type of injury initially try conservative therapies first. These typically include corticosteroid medications and pain management drugs, administered either by injection or taken orally. Physical therapy is another common part of the treatment plan, which may include cervical traction using either mechanical or manual techniques. When these conservative approaches fail and the pain becomes intolerable, surgery is often discussed as the next step. However, there is an intermediate option that may provide meaningful relief without the risks associated with surgery.

The Epidural Nerve Block Procedure

An epidural nerve block is a minimally invasive procedure in which a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, are injected into the epidural space of the spine. During the procedure, the physician uses a fluoroscope to view real-time X-ray images, and a contrast medium is introduced to confirm that the needle is correctly positioned before the medication is delivered. The patient's pain relief is then monitored for a set period following the injection.

For many patients suffering from cervical radicular pain after a motorcycle accident, this procedure represents an excellent alternative to surgery. The risks associated with it are minimal and include slight risk of infection, minor bleeding, and temporary discomfort around the injection site. Patients should discuss the full range of possible side effects with their doctor before proceeding.

How Epidural Nerve Block Treatment Affects Your Personal Injury Claim

When a motorcycle crash caused by another party's negligence results in cervical radicular pain requiring an epidural nerve block procedure, the cost of that treatment can be included in your personal injury claim as compensable damages. Medical bills for the procedure itself, along with damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses that flow from the injury, may all be recoverable depending on the circumstances of your case.

Living with cervical radicular pain is not easy. The condition affects sleep, the ability to work, and the enjoyment of everyday activities. If another party's negligence caused the crash that led to your injury, you should not be left to absorb those costs on your own. Speaking with an experienced Cresco motorcycle accident attorney is the most reliable way to understand what compensation may be available to you.

Consulting a Cresco 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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