Rockwell City Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Riding a motorcycle on the roads around Rockwell City comes with real risks that drivers of passenger vehicles simply do not face. A motorcycle lacks the crash worthiness and protection built into today's cars. A car has far more weight and mass than a motorcycle, along with a roll cage area, a roof, airbags, and seatbelts. A car is also more stable because it rides on four wheels, and because of its size, it is easier for other drivers to see than a motorcycle. What a motorcycle sacrifices in these areas is somewhat offset by its ability to stop and turn quickly when the rider has been properly trained. Understanding both how to avoid a crash and what to do if one happens is essential for every rider in Rockwell City.

How Rockwell City Riders Can Help Prevent a Crash

Several factors consistently show up in motorcycle crash data, and riders who understand them are in a better position to avoid becoming a statistic. The following issues matter most:

• Training: A large majority of motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without formal training. They often are self-taught or learned from family or friends. Training is the single most effective thing a rider can do to reduce both the chances of being in a crash and the severity of injuries if a crash does happen.
• Do Not Drink and Drive: Almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol use by the rider.
• Speed: A significant portion of motorcycle crashes are caused by excessive speed, whether that means taking a corner too fast or traveling above the speed limit without enough distance to stop when a car pulls out unexpectedly.
• Proper Maintenance: Only a small percentage of motorcycle crashes involve outright vehicle failures, but most of those are single-vehicle accidents where the rider lost control because of a flat tire. Losing control at high speed often results in serious injury to the rider.

Common Crash Scenarios Rockwell City Riders Should Recognize

A well-known motorcycle safety study from 1981, known as the Hurt Report, examined how and why motorcycle crashes happen and offered practical ways for riders to avoid them. Several of the most common scenarios are described below, along with tips for avoiding them.

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 speed while turning in front of the motorcycle at an intersection, often because the driver is distracted, on a cell phone, or simply not looking for motorcycles. Riders should approach intersections with caution and watch for signs that a driver may turn in front of them, such as a gap in traffic, a driveway, or a parking lot. Watching the wheels of an oncoming vehicle rather than the vehicle itself can give the first sign that it is starting to move. As a rider approaches an intersection, slowing down and being ready to brake or take evasive action is critical. Riders should avoid laying the bike down, since the best chance of avoiding injury comes from reducing speed as much as possible before impact while keeping the bike upright and applying both brakes properly. Even cutting speed by 10 to 20 miles per hour before a collision can be the difference between minor injuries and a fatality.

A Car Changes Lanes Into You: A motorcycle can easily sit in the blind spot of another vehicle, and many drivers are not in the habit of looking for motorcycles before changing lanes. Riders should be aware of where blind spots lie and spend as little time in them as possible. If a rider can see a driver's eyes in that driver's mirrors, the driver can see the rider too. Extra caution is warranted whenever traffic is slowing in one lane, since that is often when lane changes happen. Watching for turn signals, a vehicle drifting within its own lane, or a driver's head turning to check mirrors can all provide early warning.

A Car Hits You From Behind: A rider stopped at a red light or stop sign can be struck by a driver behind who fails to notice that traffic has stopped. What might be a minor fender bender for two cars can be fatal for a motorcyclist. Riders should consider installing brake lights that flash when the brakes are applied, and should stop toward the side of the lane rather than dead center, keeping the motorcycle in gear with a hand near the throttle. Paying attention to vehicles approaching from behind and being ready to move out of the way if a vehicle does not appear to be stopping can help prevent this type of crash.

Should Rockwell City Riders Wear a Helmet?

Iowa is one of the few states where riders have the right not to wear a helmet. While riding without one may feel more free, every rider should make an informed decision about helmet use. Statistics consistently show that a helmet is the most important safety device a rider has. Motorcycle helmets have a hard outer shell that protects the brain and distributes the force of an impact, and newer helmets include an inner liner that further absorbs impact force. Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the chance of sustaining a disabling or deadly brain injury. Riders who choose to wear one should make sure it meets federal safety standards, and additional information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Riders leaving Iowa should also keep in mind that most other states do require the use of motorcycle helmets.

Emotional Trauma After a Rockwell City Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists face a wide range of possible injuries in a crash, from soft tissue injuries and fractures to spinal cord and head injuries. In more severe cases, riders may suffer emotional trauma in addition to their physical injuries, and Rockwell City riders pursuing a liability claim against a negligent driver can factor this emotional distress into their claim.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can develop following a traumatic event such as a motorcycle accident. Once associated primarily with soldiers exposed to combat, and previously referred to as shellshock, PTSD can manifest for a variety of reasons after any traumatic experience. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, PTSD symptoms generally fall into three categories: re-experiencing, which includes flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the incident; avoidance, which includes avoiding certain events or actions along with emotional numbness, guilt, depression, and difficulty remembering the event; and hyperarousal, which includes being easily startled, edginess, trouble sleeping, and intense episodes of anger.

Head Injuries and Depression

Head injuries are a major concern for motorcyclists involved in a crash, which is part of why many states have adopted motorcycle helmet laws and why advocacy and safety groups recommend helmet use for all riders and passengers. Researchers have studied the relationship between traumatic brain injury and depression. One study found that roughly one-third of participants developed major depressive disorder within the first year after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, concluding that major depressive disorder is a frequent complication of these injuries. Another study found that chronic stress was significantly and positively related to depression following a traumatic brain injury, stress that may be tied to the recovery process itself and other complicating factors after a serious injury.

How Emotional Trauma Factors Into a Rockwell City Claim

A motorcycle accident claim will account for medical expenses tied to physical injuries such as head injuries and spinal cord injuries, and it may also account for the emotional trauma that follows the crash. Emotional trauma that may be included in the damages sought after a Rockwell City motorcycle accident can include a mental health assessment, counseling, treatment, and mental anguish. It is worth noting that failing to wear a helmet might reduce a settlement if the rider suffered head injuries, since an insurance company or defendant may argue that helmet use could have prevented or reduced the severity of the injury. Riders should talk with their attorney about how helmet use may factor into a claim and whether it could affect the emotional or noneconomic damages they are able to recover.

Protecting a Rockwell City Accident Claim After the Crash

Whether or not a Rockwell City rider ultimately decides to hire an attorney, there are several steps that are critical to receiving a fair and just settlement after any car, motorcycle, or truck accident.

Tell Your Doctor Everything That Hurts

One of the most critical pieces of evidence in any claim is how an injury has affected a person's ability to function day to day. A doctor is required to keep accurate and detailed records of a patient's medical history and care, including the patient's own description of how the injury happened, physical complaints, examination findings, and treatment received. Insurance companies base their settlement offers heavily on this information. Failing to mention every symptom means it will not be treated properly, and it also means there is no record of it. If a rider begins complaining about a problem weeks or months after the crash, the insurance company will often argue that the problem was not related to the accident and will reduce its offer accordingly.

Follow Your Doctor's Orders

If a doctor recommends therapy several times a week and a patient only attends once a week, the claim can be damaged. Insurance companies frequently argue that a person could not have been truly injured, or they would have followed medical recommendations, and will use inconsistent treatment as a reason to lower a settlement offer.

Keep a Diary to Document Your Injuries

Few people think to write down how they feel day to day after an accident, but a diary can help preserve accurate details about an injury and how it affects daily life. This kind of record can help prove the extent of an injury and can support a higher evaluation of a claim.

Keep Documentation Regarding Missed Work

It is important to track any time missed from work because of the accident, including keeping doctor's excuses for missed work and documenting time missed for medical appointments.

Be Careful What You Say

Insurance companies and their lawyers will use anything a rider says against them, so honesty is essential. Even a small lie can seriously damage credibility. The safest approach is always to tell the truth, since that removes any concern about what may have been said earlier.

Consulting a Rockwell City 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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