Fort Dodge Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle accidents in Iowa can leave riders with life-altering injuries, mounting medical bills, and months of painful recovery. Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have very little protection when a crash occurs. Whatever protective gear is on their bodies is generally all that stands between them and the road. As a result, the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are often far more severe than those in a typical car collision.

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our attorneys serve injured motorcyclists throughout Iowa, including riders in the Fort Dodge area and throughout Webster County. This article covers three critical topics every injured motorcyclist needs to understand: the types of burn injuries that occur in crashes, the broken bones that frequently result from these accidents and what they mean for your recovery and your claim, and the medical mistakes that can quietly undermine your case if you are not careful.

Motorcycle Burn Injuries: What Fort Dodge Riders Need to Know

Burn injuries are among the most painful and disfiguring consequences of a motorcycle crash. 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 span for non-fatal motorcycle-related injuries. Burn injuries make up a significant and often overlooked category of those cases. There are four primary types of motorcycle burn injuries, each with distinct causes and consequences.

Road Rash

Road rash, also called road burn, refers to the scrapes and bruises riders sustain when their skin makes contact with the pavement after being thrown from or dragged by the bike during a motorcycle accident. When skin scrapes against pavement or gravel at speed, serious injuries can occur that require hospitalization and long periods of healing. There are three basic types of road burn injuries:

• Deep scrapes: When the rider's body scrapes on the pavement at high speeds, the wounds may be severe enough to require stitches. Open wounds like these carry a high risk of infection, so special attention is needed to prevent or treat it promptly.
• Bruising and compression injuries: If the rider gets caught between the motorcycle and the road surface, serious bruising and crushing injuries can result.
• Avulsion injuries: Several layers of skin may be damaged, exposing and causing harm to underlying muscle or fat tissue. Injuries this severe may require surgery and skin grafting.

Exhaust Burns

Exhaust burns occur when the rider or passenger accidentally makes contact with the motorcycle's exhaust pipe. These injuries can be extremely painful and cause permanent scarring. Researchers at Athens University Medical School in Greece published a study in the journal Burns examining exhaust burn injuries from motorcycle accidents. Their findings revealed that most exhaust burn injuries occurred below the knee on the right leg, that passengers, not riders, sustained more than 70 percent of the injuries, and that more than 65 percent of victims sustained second-degree burns.

Windburn

Windburn occurs when the force of the wind damages the outer layer of skin during a ride. It can be very painful, cause the skin to burn more easily in sunlight, and leave skin dry, itchy, and irritated. Wearing a helmet with a visor can help protect a rider's face from windburn during longer rides on Iowa's open roads.

Burns from Collisions and Fires

Upon collision, gasoline or other fluids from a motorcycle can ignite, and explosions can occur, causing serious and sometimes life-threatening burn injuries. Combustion, fluid leaks, and faulty wiring are all potential factors in a motorcycle fire following a crash. Burn injuries from fires are categorized as first-, second-, and third-degree burns, and treating physicians address them accordingly. Riders who have sustained burns should speak with their doctors about the risks of complications, including scarring, infection, and nerve damage.

Any type of serious burn injury requires immediate medical attention. If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation.

Broken Bones from Iowa Motorcycle Accidents

Broken bones are among the most common injuries that motorcyclists sustain following a crash. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there were over 1,000 motorcycle injury crashes in Iowa in 2012 alone. Injuries to a motorcyclist can be extremely painful, expensive to treat, and may require an extensive healing period. In some cases, broken bones lead to long-term complications and lasting impairment.

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone

The most distinct characteristic of a broken bone is usually intense pain at the affected area. Other signs of a fracture include swelling, bruising, bleeding, limited mobility at the site, numbness, tingling, broken skin with a protruding bone, and an obviously misshapen or out-of-place limb or joint. If you experience any of these symptoms following a motorcycle crash, you should seek immediate medical care.

Which Bones Are Commonly Broken in a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcyclists have very little protection in the event of a crash, and there is no limitation to the number or types of bones that may be broken. Several factors influence what breaks, including the severity of the accident, the angle of impact, the speed the motorcyclist was traveling, 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 also possible. The severity and type of break will determine healing and recovery time, as well as whether there is any risk for long-term complications. A broken spine, in particular, can be devastating. If a fracture of the spinal column causes any disturbance to the spinal cord, the resulting injuries can be severe and permanent, including paralysis.

Broken bone injuries also have the potential to cause future complications. Post-traumatic arthritis, for example, may develop at the affected area and cause ongoing problems later in life.

Treatment and Recovery for Broken Bones

Treatment for a broken bone varies greatly depending on the location and severity of the fracture. Cast immobilization is typically used for breaks in the limbs, while a functional cast or brace may be used for minor fractures. Some serious breaks require surgery to repair. Regardless of the treatment required, broken bones from a motorcycle accident are frequently expensive and time-consuming to address, often keeping injured riders out of work for weeks or even months.

Pursuing Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries

If your motorcycle accident and resulting fractures were caused by another driver's negligent or irresponsible actions, that driver may be liable for the damages you have suffered. Compensation may be awarded for medical expenses and anticipated future medical costs, lost wages resulting from time away from work, and pain and suffering. Iowa law requires that you file a motorcycle injury claim within two years of the accident. Because of this deadline, speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash is critical.

10 Medical Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Fort Dodge Motorcycle Accident Case

Many injured motorcyclists do not realize how significantly their interactions with doctors and medical providers can affect the outcome of their legal case. Common mistakes made during medical treatment can make the difference between a strong claim and one that is easily challenged by the insurance company. The following are the most important mistakes to avoid after a motorcycle accident.

1. Failing to See a Doctor Immediately

It is your responsibility to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. If you have any pain or physical problems following a crash, you need to seek medical care right away. Insurance companies and juries often believe that if a person does not seek immediate medical attention, the condition may not actually be related to the accident. Even relatively minor pain can lead to much larger problems later, so seeing a doctor as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash is essential.

2. Talking With Medical Providers About Your Claim

Your medical providers are focused on treating your injuries, not your lawsuit. Whatever you say to them is not confidential when you bring a legal claim for injuries. Anything you tell your medical providers will end up in your medical records, which the insurance company, and potentially a judge or jury, will have access to. You should tell your providers how you were injured, but avoid discussing the details of your case or your legal situation with them.

3. Hiding Your Health History From Your Doctor

Your doctors will ask whether you have previously had any injury to the same area of the body now causing problems. You need to be honest and not attempt to hide prior injuries, because they will eventually come to light through your medical records. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can not only negatively affect the quality of your care, but will also likely hurt your legal case. Insurance companies and their lawyers will use anything they can find to attack your credibility, so do not give them extra ammunition.

4. Missing or Being Late to Medical Appointments

Insurance companies, defense attorneys, and juries review medical records carefully. When you fail to attend an appointment, your record will show "No show" or "DNS" (did not show). More than one missed appointment can make it appear that you did not care about your medical treatment or that your injuries were not serious. If you need to cancel or reschedule, call your provider at least 24 hours in advance.

5. Not Telling Your Doctor How Your Injuries Affect Your Work

Your medical records are the foundation of your injury claim. If there is no documentation in your records of the ways your injuries are affecting your ability to work, the insurance company and jury are unlikely to simply take your word for it. If your motorcycle accident injuries are negatively impacting your ability to do your job, you must tell your healthcare providers so that it is properly documented.

6. Failing to Properly Document Your Pain

Pain is something doctors cannot see or measure directly, but they are required to document it in your records. Insurance companies and juries will look to see how quickly you reported pain after the accident, where the pain was located, how severe it was, and how long it lasted. To ensure your pain is accurately recorded, consider writing out your symptoms before appointments and providing your doctor with a written summary. Do not exaggerate, as doctors are trained to note inconsistencies and a negative notation in your records can be damaging.

7. Not Taking Medications as Prescribed

Doctors prescribe specific medications for specific reasons. If you stop taking a prescribed medication on your own, or fail to follow your doctor's orders, it can damage both your physical recovery and your legal case. If you believe a medication is causing unwanted side effects, call your provider and ask about alternatives rather than simply stopping on your own.

8. Stopping Treatment Too Soon or Going Weeks Without Care

Insurance companies and juries frequently interpret a gap in medical treatment as a sign that the injured person has healed. Significant gaps between treatments of a month or more will often be used against you. If your doctor has released you but you are still experiencing problems, you need to return for follow-up care. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist for additional treatment.

9. Failing to Keep Your Own Records

You should keep business cards, bills, and records of every medical provider you see. Your attorney will need this information to obtain your records. You should also keep copies of work excuses, restrictions, referrals, and other documentation given to you by your providers. If you give a copy of a work excuse to your employer, always retain a copy for yourself as well.

10. Not Following Recommendations for Anxiety or Depression Treatment

Pain, limited activities, and disability often cause anxiety and depression following a serious motorcycle accident. These psychological conditions are just as real as physical injuries that appear on an x-ray. You can be compensated for psychological conditions caused by your injuries, but only if they are properly diagnosed and treated. If you are experiencing mental health symptoms as a result of your accident, tell your doctors and follow through with the recommended treatment.

Consulting a Fort dodge 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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