Des Moines Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Riding a motorcycle through Des Moines and across Iowa carries real risks. With ever-increasing traffic on our highways and frustrated commuters behind the wheel, a motorcyclist must learn not only to drive defensively, but also to anticipate and react to the poor or aggressive driving of other motorists. When a crash does happen, the injuries that follow are often severe, life-altering, and expensive to treat.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, motorcycle accidents accounted for only 2 percent of all road accidents in a recent reporting year, yet they resulted in 12 percent of serious, injury-related accidents and 14 percent of all accident fatalities. The gap between those numbers tells you everything you need to know: when motorcyclists crash, the consequences are far more devastating than in most other vehicle accidents.

Two categories of injury that Des Moines motorcycle accident victims frequently face are burn injuries and disfiguring injuries. Both can be permanent. Both can dramatically reduce your quality of life. And both deserve serious legal attention. This guide explains how these injuries happen, what you should do medically and legally after a crash, and how a Des Moines motorcycle attorney at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Types of Motorcycle Burn Injuries and How They Occur

Burn injuries are among the most painful and difficult to recover from following a motorcycle accident. There are several distinct types, each with its own causes and complications.

Road Rash

Road burn injuries, commonly called road rash, are the scrapes and bruises riders sustain when their skin makes contact with the pavement after being thrown from or dragged by the motorcycle. When the skin scrapes against asphalt or gravel at speed, the wounds can be serious enough to require hospitalization and lengthy recovery periods.

There are three basic forms of road rash. Deep scrapes occur when the rider's body slides along the pavement at high speed, leaving wounds that may require stitches. Open wounds like these carry a high risk of infection, which demands careful attention throughout recovery. Bruising and compression injuries happen when the rider is caught between the motorcycle and the road surface, resulting in serious bruising and crushing damage. Avulsion injuries are the most severe form, where multiple layers of skin are damaged, exposing and causing harm to underlying muscle or fat tissue. Injuries this serious may require surgery and skin grafting procedures.

Exhaust Burns

Exhaust burns happen when the rider or a passenger accidentally comes into contact with the motorcycle's exhaust pipe. These injuries are extremely painful and frequently cause permanent scarring. Research published in the journal Burns by researchers at Athens University Medical School in Greece provides important context about who suffers these injuries and how serious they tend to be. The study found that most exhaust burn injuries occurred below the knee on the right leg, that passengers rather than riders sustained more than 70 percent of the injuries, and that more than 65 percent of victims sustained second-degree burns.

Windburn

Windburn results from the force of the wind damaging the outer layer of skin during a ride. While it may sound minor, windburn can be painful, cause the skin to burn more easily in sunlight, and leave the skin feeling dry and irritated. Wearing a helmet with a visor helps protect the face while riding.

Burns From Collision Fires

Perhaps the most dangerous type of burn injury comes from fires triggered during a collision. When a motorcycle crashes, gasoline or other fluids can ignite, and explosions can occur, causing injuries that are sometimes life-threatening. Combustion, fluid leaks, and faulty wiring may all play a role in a post-collision fire. Burn injuries are classified as first-, second-, and third-degree burns, and treating physicians will address each accordingly. Riders who have sustained burns of any kind need to discuss with their doctors the risks of complications, including scarring, infections, and damaged nerve function. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.2 million people were treated in the emergency room over a seven-year period for non-fatal motorcycle-related injuries.

Disfiguring Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Beyond the immediate pain of burns and road rash lies a longer-term concern: disfigurement. Motorcycle crashes can produce scarring, skin loss, and amputations that permanently alter a person's appearance and day-to-day life. Even the most cautious riders can find themselves in accidents, and if you suffered disfiguring injuries in a motorcycle accident, Iowa law allows you to pursue compensation for those damages.

Victims of serious or disfiguring motorcycle injuries may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, hospitalization and long-term care, the hiring of caregivers, physical therapy, and any loss of earnings. Depending on the severity of the injury, these expenses can extend into the future, covering anticipated costs years down the road. In addition, an accident victim may be entitled to pain and suffering and emotional distress compensation related to those disfiguring injuries. In cases involving extreme scarring or the amputation of a limb, a person may need both emotional and physical therapy as part of the healing process. There could also be long-term complications and the possibility of future issues that need to be addressed when calculating compensation.

It is a good idea to keep complete coverage on your motorcycle, because not every accident involves another vehicle. You need to be able to cover medical and living expenses during recovery. Additionally, if another driver caused your accident, you may be able to file a claim against that driver's liability insurance coverage.

Why You Should Hire a Des Moines Motorcycle Attorney Immediately

One of the most important steps you can take after a serious motorcycle accident is to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If you were in a serious crash, you should never settle with an insurance company until you have obtained professional legal advice.

Insurance companies have lawyers and experts on staff, and it is in their best interest to offer a quick settlement. But a fast settlement is rarely in the victim's best interest. Even if the initial offer sounds fair, you are likely not in the physical or emotional condition to make sound judgments about decisions this significant. A reputable Des Moines motorcycle attorney will represent you so that all you have to focus on is getting better. Ensuring you receive fair compensation when you have been badly hurt or disfigured is paramount to keeping your quality of life as high as possible going forward.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing With Doctors After Your Motorcycle Accident

How you handle your medical care after a motorcycle crash matters enormously, not only for your health but for your legal claim. Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with doctors are when treating an injury. The following are common mistakes that can seriously damage your case.

Failing to See a Doctor Immediately

It is your responsibility to prove that you were injured by the accident. If you have any pain or problems at all, you need to seek medical care right away. Insurance companies and juries often assume that if you did not see a doctor immediately, your condition may not be related to the accident. Even relatively minor pain can develop into bigger problems later, so see a doctor as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for an insurance company's attorney to tell a jury that you did not bother seeing a doctor until days after the crash.

Talking With Medical Providers About Your Legal Claims

Your medical providers are there to focus on your injuries and provide treatment. They do not need to know the details of your lawsuit or whether you have an attorney. Whatever you say to your medical providers is not confidential once you bring a legal claim for injuries. Anything and everything you tell them will end up in your medical records, which the insurance company and potentially a judge and jury will see. You should, however, tell your providers how you were injured and when the accident occurred.

Hiding Your Health History From Your Doctor

Doctors will typically ask if you have had any prior injury to the same area of your body. You need to be honest. Your past medical history helps your doctor diagnose and treat you correctly. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information, it can negatively affect both the quality of your care and your legal case. All of your prior medical records will eventually be made available to the insurance company, and any inconsistencies will be used against you.

Missing or Being Late to Medical Appointments

When you miss an appointment, your medical records will note ""No Show"" or ""DNS."" Even if you had a valid reason, these notations look bad. More than one missed appointment can make it appear that you did not take your injuries seriously. Doctors who are frustrated with patients are also less likely to be strong witnesses on your behalf. If you must reschedule, call at least 24 hours ahead of time.

Not Telling Your Doctor How Your Injuries Affect Your Work

Your medical records are the foundation of your injury claim, and what is in them matters greatly. If there is no mention in your records of problems doing your job, it is unlikely an insurance company or jury will simply take your word for it later. If your injury is negatively affecting your ability to work, document this by telling your healthcare provider at each appointment. Bringing notes with you can help ensure you cover everything.

Letting Pain Go Undocumented

Pain is something your medical providers cannot see or touch, but they are required to document it in your records. Insurance companies and juries will look to your medical records to see how quickly you reported pain, where it was, how severe it was, and how long it lasted. Write out your symptoms beforehand and provide a copy to your doctor at your appointment. Be accurate and honest, and do not exaggerate. If you tell your doctor your pain is unbearable but you appear comfortable in the office, you may end up with a negative note in your chart that hurts your case.

Stopping Treatment Too Soon

Failing to continue medical treatment will not make your injury disappear, but it will likely convince a jury that you have healed. When a person stops seeking treatment, juries and insurance adjusters often assume the person is better. Significant gaps in treatment, such as a month or more between appointments, will be used to argue that you had recovered from the original injury and may have later sustained a new one that you did not disclose. If your doctor releases you but your problems persist, get back in as soon as possible and ask for a specialist referral if needed.

Not Taking Medications as Prescribed

Doctors prescribe specific medications for specific reasons. You should follow your doctor's recommendations. If you believe a medication is causing unwanted side effects, call your provider, as they may be able to switch you to something else. Stopping medication on your own without informing your doctor looks bad and can harm your case.

Failing to Keep Records

Keep business cards, bills, and other records from every medical provider you see. Your attorney will need this information to obtain your records. Also keep copies of any work excuses, restrictions, referrals, and other orders. If you give a work excuse to your employer, keep a copy for yourself.

Ignoring Anxiety and Depression After the Accident

Pain, limited activities, and disability frequently cause anxiety and depression following a serious motorcycle injury. These conditions are real and deserve treatment, just like any physical injury. You can be compensated for psychological conditions caused by your accident, but only if you tell your doctors about them and seek appropriate treatment. Emotional distress from disfiguring injuries is a recognized category of damages in Iowa, and failing to document and treat these conditions means leaving compensation on the table.

Protect Your Insurance Coverage and Know Your Options

Keeping complete insurance coverage on your motorcycle is essential. Not all accidents involve other vehicles, and you need to be able to cover medical and living expenses while you recover. If you have purchased the right type of motorcycle insurance coverage, you may be entitled to collect from your own insurer even if another party was not involved. If another driver caused your accident, you may also file a third-party liability claim against that driver's insurance policy.

Contact a Des Moines Motorcycle Attorney at Walker, Billingsley & Bair

Navigating the aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash is overwhelming. Between managing painful burn injuries or disfiguring wounds, attending medical appointments, and trying to keep up with work and family obligations, the last thing you should have to worry about is fighting an insurance company on your own. Insurance companies have lawyers and experienced adjusters working to minimize what they pay you. You deserve the same level of professional advocacy on your side.

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our Des Moines motorcycle attorneys understand the physical, financial, and emotional toll these accidents take. We can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, future care costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and the emotional distress that comes with serious or disfiguring motorcycle injuries. 

Do not wait. Call 641-792-3595 today or reach out online for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing.

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