New Hampton Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcyclists face a level of danger on the road that no other motorists experience. With little more than protective gear standing between a rider and the pavement, a collision can produce injuries that are painful, expensive, and life-altering. Riders and passengers alike in New Hampton who are involved in a serious motorcycle crash need to understand their legal rights, the types of injuries they may be dealing with, and how the claims process works under Iowa law. Walker, Billingsley & Bair has spent decades representing injured motorcyclists and their passengers across Iowa and is ready to help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Serious Injuries Are Common in Iowa Motorcycle Accidents

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there were over 1,000 motorcycle injury crashes in a single year in Iowa alone. The injuries that result from these crashes can be extremely painful, costly to treat, and often require an extended healing period. Because motorcyclists have very little protection in the event of an accident, whatever they happen to be wearing, including helmets and protective gear, is generally all that stands between them and severe bodily harm. Among the most common and serious injuries seen in Iowa motorcycle accidents are broken bones and injuries to the neck and spine.

Broken Bones from a Motorcycle Crash

Broken bones are one of the most frequent outcomes of a motorcycle accident. While many fractures can be treated effectively with proper medical care, others lead to long-term complications and permanent impairment. Several factors influence which bones are broken and how severely, including the overall force of the crash, the angle of impact, the speed the motorcyclist was traveling, and which part of the body absorbed the blow.

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone

Intense pain at the affected area is usually the most immediate and obvious sign of a fracture. Other symptoms that may indicate a broken bone include:

• Swelling at or near the injury site
• Bruising or discoloration
• Bleeding, either externally or beneath the skin
• Limited or complete loss of mobility at the affected area
• Numbness or tingling radiating from the injury site
• Broken skin with a visible protruding bone
• An obviously misshapen or displaced limb or joint

Bones Commonly Fractured in Motorcycle Accidents

There is no single type of fracture that defines a motorcycle crash. Motorcyclists may suffer rib fractures from the trauma of their torso striking the ground, another vehicle, or an object during a crash. Collarbone, leg, arm, spine, and pelvis breaks are all possible as well. The severity and location of the break will determine the length of recovery and whether the injured person faces a risk of long-term complications.

Treatment varies depending on the nature of the fracture. Cast immobilization is typically used for limb breaks. A functional cast or brace may be appropriate for minor fractures. More serious breaks may require surgery. A broken spine is among the most traumatizing injuries a motorcyclist can sustain. If a spinal fracture causes any disruption to the spinal cord, the consequences can be severe and permanent, including paralysis. Even fractures that heal fully carry the risk of future problems. Post-traumatic arthritis, for example, can develop at the site of a previous break and cause pain and limitation years after the original injury.

Cervical Radicular Pain and Neck Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident

Beyond broken bones, motorcycle crashes frequently produce serious neck and spinal injuries that lead to a condition known as cervical radicular pain, or radiculopathy. This occurs when the nerves in the spinal column stop working properly due to disease or trauma, causing a malfunction at the root of the nerve. Even though the structural problem is located in the spine, the pain is often felt in other parts of the body, such as the arms, hands, and fingers.

What Causes Cervical Radicular Pain

In most cases arising from trauma, cervical radicular pain is caused by a herniated disc in the cervical spine. The force of a motorcycle crash can rupture a disc, and when the material from that disc pushes against a nearby nerve root, the resulting compression produces intense pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of motor control. The condition can make it difficult or impossible to work, sleep, or participate in ordinary daily activities. Living with cervical radicular pain means a life organized around pain management.

Treatment Options for Cervical Radicular Pain

Many patients begin treatment with conservative approaches, including corticosteroids, oral pain medications, and physical therapy. Cervical traction, which involves mechanical or manual stretching of the neck, is one physical therapy technique used to relieve pressure on compressed nerves. When these conservative measures do not provide adequate relief, an epidural nerve block procedure may be recommended.

The epidural nerve block procedure involves the injection of a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid directly into the epidural space of the spine. The physician uses a fluoroscope, which provides real-time X-ray imaging, to guide the needle into precise placement. A contrast medium is also used to confirm correct positioning before the medication is delivered. This procedure is minimally invasive and can be an effective alternative to surgery when conservative treatments have failed. Complications are generally minor and may include a small risk of infection, slight bleeding, or temporary discomfort around the injection site. Patients should discuss the full range of potential side effects with their physician before undergoing any injection or procedure.

If surgery ultimately becomes necessary, it will come with its own set of costs, recovery time, and long-term implications. Whether a motorcycle accident victim requires conservative treatment, injections, or surgery, all of those medical expenses may be recoverable as part of a personal injury claim if another party caused the crash.

Who Can File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Iowa?

Both riders and passengers who are injured in a motorcycle accident have the right to pursue compensation. Passengers in particular sometimes feel uncertain about whether they can file a claim against the friend or family member whose bike they were riding on. The answer is yes. A passenger injured in a motorcycle crash can file a claim against any at-fault party, whether that is the motorcyclist operating the bike or another driver whose negligence caused the collision. The appropriate insurance policy to file against depends largely on which party bears fault for the accident.

Iowa Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

In Iowa, motorcyclists are required by law to carry a minimum level of insurance coverage. The minimum requirements are:

• $20,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $40,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for all injuries in a single accident
• $15,000 in property damage liability coverage

Many riders and motorists choose to carry higher limits than the state minimum, and some carry medical payments coverage, which can pay for medical costs regardless of who was at fault. A passenger may also be able to use their own personal insurance coverage to help offset initial costs while pursuing compensation from the at-fault party.

When Insurance Coverage Falls Short

Minimum insurance limits are often insufficient to cover the full damages arising from a serious motorcycle crash, particularly one involving multiple injured parties. Consider a scenario where another driver runs a red light and strikes a motorcycle, injuring both the rider and a passenger. If that driver carries only the minimum bodily injury liability limits, the $40,000 maximum for all injuries in the accident may fall far short of covering everyone's medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. When insurance is not enough, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party is a possible avenue to recover the remaining damages. A lawsuit of that nature typically requires legal representation.

What Damages Can a Motorcycle Accident Victim Recover?

Iowa law allows motorcycle accident victims, including passengers, to pursue compensation for the full range of losses caused by the crash. Recoverable damages may include:

• Past and future medical and hospital expenses, including costs for surgery, physical therapy, epidural nerve block procedures, and ongoing care
• Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if permanent injuries prevent the victim from returning to the same type of work
• Pain and suffering caused by the physical injuries and the experience of the crash itself
• Disability, if the injuries result in permanent impairment
• Emotional distress caused by the trauma of the accident and its lasting effects on daily life

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help identify every category of damages that applies to a specific situation and build the strongest possible case to recover them.

Iowa's Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Injury Claims

Iowa law requires that a motorcycle injury case be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. Missing this deadline typically means losing the right to recover any compensation at all, regardless of how serious the injuries are or how clearly another party was at fault. Two years may seem like a long time, but building a strong case requires gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, consulting with experts, and potentially negotiating with insurance companies before any lawsuit is ever filed. Starting that process as early as possible puts you in the strongest position to recover everything you are owed.

Why Insurance Companies Make Motorcycle Cases Harder Than They Should Be

Filing an insurance claim after a motorcycle crash, even a relatively minor one, requires dealing with an adjuster whose job is to settle your case for as little as possible. Insurance companies may use various tactics to reduce what they pay, including disputing fault, downplaying the severity of your injuries, or claiming that a pre-existing condition rather than the crash is responsible for your pain. These tactics are especially common in motorcycle cases because insurers know that some jurors carry biases against motorcyclists, and they use that leverage in negotiations.

Having an attorney handle all communications with the insurance company removes you from a situation where an offhand comment could be used to devalue your claim. An attorney can also investigate the accident, gather the evidence necessary to prove liability, and push back against any attempts to minimize your injuries or shift the blame onto you.

Proving Liability and Building Your Case

Whether you are a rider or a passenger, proving that another party's negligence caused the accident and your resulting injuries is the foundation of your claim. In Iowa, if another driver's careless or reckless actions caused the crash, that driver may be held liable for all damages you suffered as a result. Your attorney can gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and any other evidence needed to establish what happened and who was responsible. In cases involving serious injuries or large amounts of damages, attempting to handle this process without legal representation puts an injured person at a significant disadvantage.

Consulting a New Hampton 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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