Guttenberg Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

A motorcycle lacks the crash worthiness and protection of today's cars. A car has much more weight and mass than a motorcycle, along with a roll cage area, a roof, airbags, and seatbelts, and it is also more stable because it has four wheels. Because of its size, a car is also easier to see than a motorcycle. However, what a motorcycle sacrifices in these areas is somewhat offset by its ability to stop and turn quickly when necessary, if the rider has been properly trained. Understanding how to prevent a crash, how helmet use may affect your claim, and what insurance coverage is available can make a significant difference near Guttenberg.

How to Prevent a Motorcycle vs. Car Crash Near Guttenberg

Training is the number one thing a Guttenberg rider can do to reduce both the chances of being in a crash and the severity of injuries if a crash happens. A large majority of motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially untrained, often self-taught or having learned from family or friends. Almost one-half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol use by the rider, so avoiding drinking and driving is critical. A significant portion of motorcycle crashes are also caused by excessive speed, whether from driving around a corner too fast or driving above the speed limit without enough distance to stop when a car pulls out in front of you. Proper maintenance matters too. While only a small percentage of motorcycle crashes involve vehicle failures, most of those are single-vehicle accidents where the rider lost control because of a flat tire, and losing control at high speed often results in serious injury.

When Another Driver Turns Left in Front of You

This is the most common type of motorcycle crash. Another driver either fails to see the rider or misjudges their speed while turning in front of them at an intersection, sometimes because the driver is distracted, on their phone, or simply not looking for motorcycles. To help avoid this, approach intersections with caution and look for signs that a driver may turn in front of you, such as a gap in traffic, a driveway, or a parking lot. Watch the wheels of the vehicle rather than the vehicle itself, since the wheels give the first sign that it is moving, and as you approach an intersection, slow down and be prepared to take evasive action. It is best to avoid laying your bike down, since your best chance of avoiding injury is reducing speed as much as possible before impact by keeping the bike upright and applying both brakes. Learning to properly use the front brake is important, since it is often the most difficult skill to master, and even reducing speed by 10 to 20 miles per hour can make a real difference.

When a Car Changes Lanes Into You

A motorcycle can easily sit in the blind spot of another driver, and people are not always looking for motorcycles. Be aware of where blind spots lie and spend as little time in them as possible. A useful rule is that if you can see a driver's eyes in their mirrors, they have the ability to see you too. Be extra careful in situations where vehicles may be changing lanes, such as when traffic slows in one lane, and look for signs that a driver may be changing lanes, like turn signals, a vehicle moving within its own lane, or a driver's head moving to check mirrors.

When a Car Hits You From Behind

This often happens when a rider comes to a stop at a red light or stop sign and the driver behind does not see that traffic is stopped, slamming into the back of the motorcycle. What might be a fender bender in a car can be fatal for a motorcyclist. If your motorcycle does not already have them, consider installing brake lights that flash as you apply the brakes. It also helps to stop your motorcycle toward the side of the center of a lane, keep it in gear with your right hand near the throttle, and pay attention to vehicles approaching from behind so you are prepared to move if one is not stopping.

How Helmet Use May Affect a Guttenberg Motorcycle Claim

Iowa is one of only a few states in the nation that has no motorcycle helmet law. However, despite the fact that a motorcyclist may be within their legal right not to wear a helmet, a rider who is not wearing one and suffers a head injury in a motorcycle crash may be held partially liable for their wounds. It is a well-known fact that wearing a helmet can prevent traumatic brain and head injuries in the event of an accident, so choosing not to wear one may be considered an act of negligence.

When Does Helmet Use Actually Matter?

The use of a helmet will not be a relevant factor in determining liability in every accident. Liability will probably only be impacted if the injury you sustained is a head or brain injury. For example, if you were in a motorcycle accident near Guttenberg and suffered an injury to the lower body, the fact that you were not wearing a helmet would be irrelevant, because you would have suffered that leg injury regardless. On the other hand, if the injury you suffered was a head or brain injury that could have been prevented had you been wearing a helmet, you may be considered partially negligent. By the same token, if you were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, this can help show that despite there being no legal requirement, you were exercising caution and care while riding.

Comparative Fault and Helmet Use

A negligent act is one that fails to exercise the proper degree of care and is not necessarily something illegal. While you have no legal requirement to wear a helmet in Iowa, the defense may argue that a reasonable person would have worn one while riding a motorcycle, and that because you did not, you failed to exercise a proper degree of care. If you are found to be partially negligent for your injuries based on your lack of a helmet, the damages you can recover will be affected. Under Iowa's comparative fault laws, damages you can recover will be diminished in proportion to the degree of fault attributed to you.

Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options for Guttenberg Riders

Iowa motorcyclists who don't carry motorcycle insurance can lose their licenses if pulled over by a policeman, per the Iowa Financial and Safety Responsibility Act. Additionally, a biker can be held responsible for the full cost of all repairs and medical bills if at fault for an accident. To ensure a carefree riding experience, it is worth investigating what a motorcycle insurance policy has to offer. It is more than just bodily injury and property damage liability, and a little extra money on the front end could save you thousands later when you do not have the means to make extra cash after a motorcycle crash.

When Damages Are So Severe That Insurance Coverage Is Not Enough

Despite the many types of auto insurance options for motorcyclists available, sometimes the damages that result from an accident are so severe that insurance alone is not enough. When this happens, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages to recover the total cost of all damages incurred. In Iowa, a claim must be filed within two years' time under Iowa Code 614.1.