Sioux Center Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle accidents are among the most physically devastating crashes on Iowa roads. Riders have virtually no structural protection in the event of a collision. Whatever protective gear a motorcyclist is wearing when impact occurs is generally all that stands between them and serious injury. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there were over 1,000 motorcycle injury crashes in Iowa in a single year alone. The injuries that follow these crashes can be extremely painful, expensive to treat, and may require a long and difficult recovery. Understanding the injuries involved, what the insurance company is likely to do after your crash, and how an experienced Iowa motorcycle accident attorney can protect and maximize your claim are all essential pieces of knowledge before you make any decisions about your case.

Broken Bones from a Motorcycle Accident: What You Need to Know

Among the most common serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash are broken bones. The force involved when a motorcyclist is thrown from a bike, strikes another vehicle, or slides across pavement is more than enough to fracture multiple bones at once. While many broken bone injuries can be treated and healed with proper medical care, some fractures lead to long-term complications and lasting impairment that can affect a rider for the rest of their life.

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Bone

The most immediate and obvious sign of a broken bone is intense pain at the affected area. Other symptoms that may indicate a fracture following a motorcycle accident include the following:

• Swelling at or near the injury site
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Limited mobility at the affected area
• Numbness or tingling
• Broken skin with a bone protruding through
• A limb or joint that appears obviously misshapen or out of place

Not all fractures are immediately obvious, particularly in the chaos following a crash. Some riders experience adrenaline that temporarily masks pain, which is one of the reasons why seeking medical evaluation immediately after any motorcycle accident is so important, even when you think you may not be seriously hurt.

Bones Commonly Broken in a Motorcycle Crash

There is no limit to the number or types of bones that can be fractured in a motorcycle accident, and several factors influence which bones are most at risk. The severity of the crash, the angle of impact, the speed at which the motorcyclist was traveling, and the part of the body that absorbs the initial force all play a role in determining the nature and location of fractures.

Motorcyclists frequently suffer rib fractures from the trauma of their torso striking the ground, another vehicle, or a fixed object. Collarbone fractures are also common, as riders often reach out instinctively to break a fall. Leg, arm, spine, and pelvis breaks are all possible depending on how the crash unfolds. The severity and location of the break will determine recovery time and whether the injury carries a risk of long-term complications.

Treatment, Recovery, and Long-Term Complications

Treatment for a broken bone varies significantly based on the location and severity of the fracture. Limb fractures in the arms and legs are often treated with cast immobilization, while more minor breaks may be addressed with a functional cast or brace. More serious fractures frequently require surgery to properly repair and stabilize the bone.

Spinal fractures are among the most traumatic injuries a motorcyclist can sustain. When a break of the spinal column causes any disturbance to the spinal cord, the resulting injuries can be severe and permanent. A spinal cord injury of this nature can cause permanent paralysis. Even fractures that heal successfully can cause future complications. The condition known as post-traumatic arthritis, for example, may create ongoing pain and limitation at the affected area long after the original injury has technically healed. These future complications and long-term effects must be accounted for and documented in your claim, not just your immediate medical expenses.

Who Is Liable for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

If your motorcycle accident and the broken bone injuries you suffered were caused by another driver's negligent or irresponsible actions, that driver may be held liable for all of your resulting damages. Recoverable damages in an Iowa motorcycle accident case can include current and future medical expenses, lost wages suffered as a result of the injury, and compensation for your pain and suffering.

Iowa law requires that you file a motorcycle injury case within two years of the date of your injury if you want to pursue damages. Missing that deadline will almost certainly eliminate your right to any compensation regardless of how serious your injuries are, which is why speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash is critical.

5 Things Insurance Companies Don't Want Iowa Motorcycle Accident Victims to Know

Insurance companies are some of the richest and most powerful corporations in the United States. After a motorcycle accident, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is not going to call you with information that helps your case. What they will do is use every tool available to pay you as little as possible. Understanding these tactics before you have any contact with an adjuster can protect your claim and your financial recovery.

1. The Insurance Company Is Legally Allowed to Mislead You

There is no law requiring the insurance company for the other side to tell you the truth or to do anything that is in your best interests. This is why adjusters will sometimes act friendly and work to build trust with you, particularly when your injuries are serious. Experienced injury attorneys call this the "Mr. Nice Guy" routine. The cold hard truth is that you cannot trust what the insurance company for the other side tells you. They are not looking out for you, they are not required to treat you fairly, and adjusters are often rewarded professionally for building a track record of paying less than cases are worth. They will not tell you what your rights are, and they will take advantage of you at every opportunity. If you are not yet ready to hire an attorney, at minimum request a free copy of the Iowa Injury Book so you are not going into the process uninformed.

2. You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement

The insurance adjuster will almost certainly tell you they need a recorded statement in order to evaluate your claim. That is not true. You have no legal obligation to give the insurance company for the other side a recorded statement. The reason they want one is so they can ask questions designed to produce answers that can later be used against you. For example, they may ask whether you have ever had pain in a particular area before. An unthinking response of "no" could seriously damage your credibility if your prior medical records show any related treatment. Your credibility is central to your injury case, which is why adjusters often try to damage it from the very first conversation.

3. Their "Final Offer" Is Usually Not Their Best Offer

During settlement negotiations, insurance companies will often declare that a particular offer is their final one. In the experience of Iowa injury attorneys, this is rarely true. You have very little to lose by making a counteroffer, and filing a lawsuit and going through the litigation process sometimes becomes necessary to extract a genuinely fair settlement. Accepting the first or second offer before fully understanding the long-term value of your claim is one of the most common and costly mistakes injured motorcyclists make.

4. They Will Intentionally Try to Frustrate You

When the friendly approach does not work, some adjusters shift to a deliberate frustration strategy. Making a very low initial offer, delaying communication, and dragging out the investigation process are all tactics used to push injured victims into settling quickly just to be done with the process. Insurance companies know that a certain percentage of people will accept a low-ball offer simply because they do not want to deal with the adjuster anymore. If you have sustained a serious motorcycle injury that may have lifelong effects on your health, do not let impatience or frustration push you into a settlement that does not account for all of your losses. Turning the matter over to an experienced injury attorney means the insurance company will be dealing with a professional who handles these tactics every day, and you can focus on healing.

5. They Will Not Pay Your Medical Bills as You Incur Them

Adjusters frequently ask you to send your medical bills directly to them. This does not mean they are going to pay those bills as they come in. This is a strategy designed to get collection calls started from creditors, hospitals, and doctors, which creates financial pressure that makes injured victims more likely to accept a quick, low settlement. In motorcycle accident and personal injury cases, it is almost always best to have your medical bills submitted to your own health insurance and any applicable medical payments coverage under your motorcycle or auto insurance policy. Otherwise, it could be years before your case is resolved and your credit and financial stability may suffer in the meantime.

What a Sioux Center Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Do for Your Case

Proving the liability of the other driver on your own, and recovering the full compensation you are entitled to, can be complicated in cases involving serious injuries and significant damages. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney before making any decisions. When you do decide to work with legal representation, here is a comprehensive picture of what a qualified Iowa motorcycle accident attorney can do on your behalf. All of these tasks are performed at no upfront risk to you because the firm only gets paid if your case is successful.

Investigation, Evidence, and Building Your Case

Your attorney will gather all documentary evidence including police accident reports, medical records, and bills. When necessary, investigators may be hired to interview witnesses, locate additional witnesses, and collect other evidence such as photographs of the vehicles and the accident scene. Your attorney will also review and analyze the legal issues specific to your case, including comparative fault and assumption of risk, and will use that analysis to counter any insurance company arguments designed to reduce your compensation.

Working with Your Medical Providers

Your attorney will speak directly with your treating physicians and obtain written reports to support your case and fully document your condition. This is particularly important in motorcycle accident cases involving broken bones and other serious injuries, where the long-term complications and future medical needs must be clearly established. Attorneys also analyze your insurance policy to identify any coverages that could help pay your medical bills while the claim is still being resolved, and review and challenge any liens asserted by doctors, insurance companies, or other parties claiming a portion of your recovery.

Handling the Insurance Company So You Do Not Have To

Your attorney handles all communication with the insurance company, protecting you from the tactics described above. Insurance adjusters know the law, understand exactly how to manipulate the claims process, and are professionally trained to pay as little as possible. Having an attorney as your intermediary prevents you from making statements or accepting offers that could permanently harm your case, and ensures that the frustration and delay tactics used by insurers are met with experienced legal pushback rather than a desperate settlement.

Preparing for Trial If Necessary

If your case cannot be resolved on fair terms through negotiation, your attorney will prepare fully for trial. This includes preparing you and your witnesses, taking depositions, preparing written discovery, filing motions and briefs with the court, and preparing medical and demonstrative exhibits. Your attorney will also review any verdict to determine whether an appeal is appropriate and make a recommendation to you. In most personal injury cases the matter is tried before a jury. Every step of this process is carried out on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no charge unless the case is won.

Consulting a Sioux Center 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. 

More Info on Sioux Center Attorneys