Le Mars Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycles vs. Cars: Why the Risk Is So Different

A motorcycle lacks the crash worthiness and protection of today's cars. A car has substantially more weight and mass, a roll cage area, a roof, airbags, and seatbelts. It is also more stable because it rides on four wheels. Because of its size, a car is also far easier for other drivers to see. What a motorcycle sacrifices in these areas is only partially offset by its ability to stop and turn quickly, provided the rider has received proper training.

Unfortunately, training is one of the most overlooked safety factors in motorcycle riding. According to crash research, 92 percent of motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without formal training. They are self-taught or learned from family members or friends. Formal training is the single most important thing a rider can do to reduce both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries if one occurs.

Other major contributing factors include alcohol, which is involved in nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes, and excessive speed, which plays a role in a significant portion of crashes. Whether it is taking a corner too fast or traveling above the speed limit without enough distance to stop when a car pulls out unexpectedly, speed greatly amplifies the consequences of any collision. Proper vehicle maintenance also matters. While mechanical failures account for only about three percent of motorcycle crashes, most of them are single-vehicle accidents where the rider lost control because of a flat tire, and losing control at highway speeds almost always results in injury.

The Three Most Dangerous Crash Scenarios for Le Mars Motorcyclists

In 1981, a landmark motorcycle safety study known as the Hurt Report examined the causes and patterns of motorcycle crashes in detail. The findings identified specific crash types that occur far more frequently than others. Knowing what these scenarios look like and how to respond can save a rider's life.

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 the rider's speed while turning at an intersection. The cause may be distraction, a cell phone, or simply not watching for motorcycles. There are specific steps riders can take to reduce this risk. Approaching intersections with caution and watching for signs that a driver may turn is essential. Rather than watching the vehicle itself, watch the wheels, since wheels give the first indication that a vehicle is beginning to move. As you enter an intersection, slow down, position your hands for quick braking, and be ready to take evasive action if needed.

It is also important to avoid laying the bike down in a panic. The best chance of reducing injury is to keep the bike upright and apply both brakes to reduce speed as much as possible before impact. Even reducing speed by 10 to 20 miles per hour before a collision can mean the difference between going home with bruises and not going home at all. Riders should also understand the proper use of the front brake, which is the most effective stopping tool on a motorcycle but also the most difficult skill to master.

A Car Changes Lanes Into You

A motorcycle can disappear entirely into the blind spot of another driver, and many drivers simply are not actively looking for motorcycles in traffic. Riders should be aware of where blind spots are and minimize time spent in them. A useful gauge: if you can see a driver's eyes in their mirrors, the driver has the ability to see you too. Pay close attention in situations where vehicles are likely to change lanes, such as when traffic slows in one lane but not another. Watch for signals that a lane change may be coming, including the use of a turn signal, a vehicle drifting within its lane, or a driver glancing at their mirrors.

A Car Hits You From Behind

A rear-end collision that would cause minor damage to a car can kill a motorcyclist. Stopping at a red light or stop sign exposes riders to this danger whenever drivers behind them are not paying attention. To reduce exposure, riders should consider adding brake lights that flash when the brakes are applied, which makes it significantly easier for following traffic to recognize that a stop is occurring. When stopped, keep the motorcycle toward the center of the lane, stay in gear, keep your right hand near the throttle, and monitor traffic approaching from behind. If a vehicle does not appear to be slowing, be prepared to move out of the way.

Should Iowa Motorcyclists Wear a Helmet?

Iowa is one of the few states in the country where adult riders have the legal right to ride without a helmet. While some riders prefer the experience of riding without one, the decision deserves careful consideration of the statistics. A helmet is the most important safety device available to a motorcyclist. Helmets have a hard outer shell designed to protect the brain and distribute the force of an impact, along with an inner liner that absorbs additional impact energy. Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of sustaining a disabling or fatal brain injury. If you do wear a helmet, ensure it meets federal safety standards. Also keep in mind that if you ride outside of Iowa, the majority of other states require helmets by law.

Broken Bones: One of the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Iowa Department of Transportation records show there were over 1,000 motorcycle injury crashes in Iowa in a single year. The injuries that result from these crashes can be extremely painful, expensive to treat, and require extended recovery periods. Among the most frequent injuries sustained by motorcyclists are broken bones.

Because motorcyclists have very little protection in a crash, whatever protective gear they are wearing is essentially all that stands between them and full exposure to impact. The severity and location of any broken bone will depend on multiple factors, including the force of the accident, the angle of impact, the speed at which the rider was traveling, and which part of the body absorbed the collision.

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone

The most immediate and unmistakable indicator of a broken bone is intense pain at the affected area. Additional signs to watch for include swelling, bruising, bleeding, limited range of motion at the injury site, numbness or tingling, skin that has broken open with a visible bone, and a limb or joint that appears obviously misshapen or out of its normal position. Some fractures, however, may not present with obvious external symptoms, which is one reason why medical evaluation after any crash is so important.

Bones Commonly Broken in a Motorcycle Crash

There is no limitation to which bones may fracture in a crash. Motorcyclists commonly suffer rib fractures when their torso strikes the ground, another vehicle, or a fixed object. Collarbone, leg, arm, spine, and pelvis fractures are all possible outcomes as well. Treatment will vary depending on the severity and location of the break. Cast immobilization is typically used for limb fractures. A functional cast or brace may address minor breaks. More serious fractures often require surgery.

The most serious broken bone injuries involve the spine. If a spinal column fracture disturbs the spinal cord in any way, the resulting injury can be severe and permanent. Damage to the spinal cord can cause permanent paralysis. Even fractures that initially seem manageable can develop future complications. Post-traumatic arthritis, for example, is a condition that may develop years after the original injury and cause ongoing problems at the affected area throughout the victim's life.

Pursuing Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries in Iowa

If your motorcycle accident and the broken bones that resulted were caused by another driver's negligence or irresponsible actions, that driver may be liable for the full range of damages you have sustained. Recoverable compensation can include current and future medical expenses, lost wages during your recovery period, and pain and suffering. Iowa law requires that you file a motorcycle injury claim within two years of the accident. Given the complexity involved in proving liability and calculating the full value of serious injuries, speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after the crash is important.

When Motorcycle Accident Injuries Do Not Appear Right Away

One of the most important things a motorcyclist needs to understand after a crash is that serious injuries do not always make themselves known immediately. It is common for accident victims to feel relatively fine at the scene, only to experience significant pain hours or even the next day. This is not unusual or suspicious. After a traumatic event, adrenaline surges through the body and cortisol levels rise, both of which can temporarily mask pain. Much the same way that muscle soreness from intense exercise does not appear until the following day, injury-related pain frequently follows its own delayed timeline.

What matters most is that once you do begin to feel pain, you seek medical care promptly to document your condition and begin treatment. Do not wait to see if the discomfort passes on its own.

What If You Waited More Than a Week to See a Doctor?

A gap in medical care after an accident will raise a red flag with the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. Insurers will question whether you were actually injured in the crash, or whether something else caused your condition. If you did wait before seeking treatment, make sure you tell your doctor clearly when the pain started and explain the reason you did not seek immediate care. Going to the emergency room, urgent care, or even your regular doctor can be inconvenient, but failing to go can cost you your claim and your case. Do not let inconvenience or uncertainty about whether you are truly hurt delay medical attention.

What If New Symptoms Develop After the Initial Injury?

It is entirely common for additional problems to emerge after a primary injury has been diagnosed and treatment has begun. Consider a scenario where a motorcyclist sustains severe neck pain with pain radiating into the arm, and an MRI reveals a herniated disc requiring surgery. After the neck surgery, arm pain improves, but the patient begins experiencing shoulder pain. This is a pattern that happens regularly. The initial injury and its most severe symptoms can mask underlying damage that only becomes apparent once the first condition is treated.

The same dynamic applies to leg and back injuries. A serious leg injury that requires walking with a limp can put unusual strain on the lower back and hips, producing new pain that was not part of the original complaint. Any new symptoms that develop after your initial injury should be reported to your doctor promptly, along with a clear explanation of how those symptoms are connected to the original crash.

Establishing the Causal Connection Between Your Crash and Your Injuries

In any motorcycle accident injury case, your attorney will need to establish that your injuries and conditions are causally linked to the crash. This is known as a causation opinion, and it is provided by your treating physicians. The standard in Iowa legal proceedings is not whether an injury was possibly caused by an accident, but whether it was more likely than not caused by it. An experienced attorney will work directly with your medical providers to obtain the specific language and level of certainty required to support your claim. In the experience of Walker, Billingsley and Bair, meeting with doctors in person consistently produces better, more useful medical opinions than written communication alone.

Consulting a Le Mars 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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