Urbandale Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

A motorcycle accident can change everything in a fraction of a second. Riders in Urbandale and throughout Iowa face unique dangers on the road, and when another driver's negligence causes a crash, the resulting injuries are often severe, the medical road ahead is long, and the insurance process is more complicated than most victims expect. Walker, Billingsley & Bair has helped injured Iowa riders pursue the full compensation they deserve, and understanding what lies ahead after a motorcycle accident starts with knowing the types of injuries involved, how to handle your medical treatment from a legal standpoint, and whether you are obligated to accept whatever settlement the insurance company offers.

Common Serious Motorcycle Injuries in Iowa

When negligence leads to a motorcycle crash, the aftermath can bring fractures, road rash, and brain and spinal cord injuries. A proficient motorcycle accident attorney stands ready to help victims seek rightful compensation to lessen the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions of these life-altering events. Unlike occupants of enclosed vehicles, motorcyclists have no protective shell around them, which means virtually any part of the body can be injured in a collision.

Fractures and Bone Injuries

In the event of a motorcycle collision, virtually any part of the body becomes susceptible to fractures. In cases of severe breaks where bones protrude through the skin, the risk of serious infection is significantly heightened. Certain fracture types come with further complications. Prolonged immobilization required during healing, for example, may elevate the danger of blood clots or bedsores. These secondary complications can extend a victim's recovery timeline and increase overall medical costs, both of which factor directly into the value of a motorcycle accident claim.

Road Rash

Road rash is one of the most common injuries motorcyclists sustain when a crash sends a rider sliding across the pavement. Similar in nature to a burn injury, road rash occurs when a motorcyclist's body makes contact with the ground. The most severe type can cause deep damage to the tissues and muscles underneath the skin. Complications such as infections frequently arise in serious road rash cases, sometimes requiring skin grafts to expedite healing and cover exposed areas. The financial and physical toll of treating severe road rash is substantial, and compensation for these injuries and related expenses may be pursued with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A severe traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can affect a rider in a wide variety of ways, largely depending on the severity of the impact. Mild concussions may bring about temporary confusion and headaches, while more severe traumatic brain injuries can yield enduring complications. These lasting effects range from persistent problems with memory and concentration to shifts in a person's personality and behavior. Physical challenges may include impaired movement, coordination difficulties, and the development of psychological conditions like anxiety and depression. The long-term costs of treating a serious traumatic brain injury are among the highest of any motorcycle crash outcome.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents vary widely in severity, ranging from minor discomfort caused by herniated discs to grave damage to the spinal cord itself. The implications of a serious spinal cord injury extend to other regions of the body depending on where the injury occurs, potentially causing chronic pain and even paralysis. Catastrophic spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong wheelchair dependency and a need for continuous medical care. The financial burden placed on victims and their families in these situations can be extraordinary, making the pursuit of comprehensive compensation through an experienced motorcycle accident attorney essential rather than optional.

The Full Scope of Damages in a Serious Motorcycle Injury Case

The toll from severe motorcycle injuries can encompass substantial medical expenses and long-term care costs for both victims and their families. Lost wages compound the financial burden, especially when employment is impossible or severely limited for an extended recovery period. Getting help from a motorcycle accident attorney allows the pursuit of comprehensive compensation covering financial damages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Victims of serious motorcycle accidents should seek consultation with an attorney promptly, as damages may be extensive and the window to pursue recovery is limited by Iowa's statute of limitations.

Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Doctors After a Motorcycle Accident

The medical records your doctors create during your treatment are not just a health record. They are also the foundation of your motorcycle accident injury claim. Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with doctors are when treating an injury, and common mistakes can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case. The following ten mistakes are among the most costly that motorcycle accident victims make during their medical treatment.

1. Failing to See a Doctor Immediately

It is your responsibility to prove you were injured by the accident. If you have any pain or problems after a crash, you need to seek medical care immediately. Insurance companies and juries often believe that if a person does not seek prompt medical attention, the condition may not actually be related to the accident. Even relatively minor pain can lead to much bigger problems later, so see a doctor as soon as possible after any motorcycle crash.

2. Discussing Your Legal Claims with Your Medical Providers

The role of your medical providers is to treat your injuries, not to advise on your lawsuit. Whatever you say to your medical providers is not confidential when you bring an injury claim. Anything and everything you tell them will end up in your medical records, which the insurance company and potentially a judge or jury will have access to. You should tell your providers how you were injured, but discussions about your case or your attorney should be kept separate from your medical appointments.

3. Hiding Your Health History from Your Doctor

Your doctors will typically ask whether you have had prior injuries to the same area of the body where you are currently experiencing problems. You need to be honest. Prior medical records will eventually be made available to the insurance company, and any inconsistency or omission in what you told your doctor will be used against your credibility. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information about your health history can negatively affect both the quality of your care and the strength of your legal case.

4. Missing or Arriving Late to Medical Appointments

When you fail to attend an appointment, your medical record reflects it with a notation such as "No Show" or "DNS" meaning did not show. More than one such notation not only frustrates your medical providers but also creates a record suggesting you did not take your injuries seriously. Doctors who are upset with patients are often poor witnesses on a patient's behalf. If you need to reschedule, call at least 24 hours in advance. The insurance company's attorney will not hesitate to point out every missed appointment to a jury.

5. Not Telling Your Providers How Your Injuries Are Affecting Your Work

Your medical records are the heart of your injury claim. If there is no mention in your records of the impact your injuries are having on your ability to work, it is unlikely that an insurance company or jury will simply take your word for it later. If your motorcycle accident injuries are negatively affecting your work performance or ability to work at all, document this by telling your healthcare providers at every appointment. Bringing written notes to your appointments to make sure you cover everything can be very helpful in ensuring this information makes it into your records.

6. Failing to Properly Document Your Pain

Pain is something medical providers cannot see or touch, but they are required to document it in your records. Insurance companies and juries look at medical records to evaluate how quickly pain was reported after the accident, where the pain was located, how severe it was, and how long it lasted. Write out your pain and limitations beforehand and provide a copy to your doctor at your appointment. Do not exaggerate. Your doctors are trained to note inconsistencies, and an exaggerated complaint that does not match your observable presentation will create a negative note in your records.

7. Not Taking Medications as Prescribed

Doctors prescribe medications for a reason and for a specific time period. If you believe a medication is causing unwanted side effects, call or schedule an appointment to discuss switching to an alternative. Do not simply stop taking prescribed medication on your own. Some medications must be tapered off safely, and admitting that you did not follow your doctor's orders will be used to undermine your claim.

8. Stopping Treatment Too Soon or Creating Long Gaps in Care

Juries and insurance companies tend to believe that when a person stops seeking medical treatment, they have healed. Likewise, significant gaps between treatments of a month or more will be used against you, suggesting you recovered from the original injury and may have sustained a new one that you have not disclosed. If your doctor says you are released or to come back as needed and you are still having problems, return within a few weeks. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a specialist for additional treatment.

9. Failing to Keep Your Own Medical Records

Keep business cards, bills, and records of every medical provider you see after your motorcycle accident. Your attorney will need this information to obtain your complete medical records. Also keep copies of work excuses, physical restrictions, referrals, and any other orders given to you. If you give a work excuse to your employer, retain a copy for your own files so the documentation exists when it is needed later in your case.

10. Not Seeking Treatment for Anxiety or Depression

Pain, limited activities, and disability often cause anxiety and depression following a serious motorcycle injury. These psychological conditions are just as real and compensable as a broken bone. However, most people cannot overcome anxiety and depression without appropriate medical care. You can be compensated for psychological conditions caused by your injuries, but only if they are properly diagnosed and treated. Tell your doctors if you are experiencing mental health issues after your crash and seek appropriate care.

Do You Have to Accept the Insurance Company's Settlement Offer?

After a motorcycle accident in Iowa, one of the most important decisions you will face is whether to accept or reject the settlement offer made by the insurance company. The answer is clear: in Iowa, you definitely do not have to accept an insurance company's settlement offer. However, there are several critical considerations to keep in mind before making that decision.

First, consider whether your injuries are minor enough that you might be better off settling without an attorney to avoid paying a percentage of your recovery in attorney fees. Second, if your medical bills have been paid by your health insurer or another insurance carrier, consider who will be reimbursing them. This is called subrogation, and failing to account for it can result in losing your entire settlement. Third, be aware of how much time you have before the statute of limitations expires on your claim. If the deadline passes, you will likely receive nothing at all. If you do not know the answers to any of these questions, speaking with a qualified Iowa injury attorney before making any decisions is strongly recommended.

Understanding Settlement Negotiations

Keep in mind that it is very rare that an insurance company's first offer is its best offer. You should always try to negotiate with the insurance adjuster in any case where you are attempting to represent yourself, but proceed carefully. Anything you tell the adjuster can and may be used against you in your claim and later in a lawsuit, so be thoughtful and truthful in all communications. Do not threaten the adjuster. Being courteous will get you much further than being angry. Make sure you know the facts of your case, including how your injuries happened, which providers you have treated with, and the conditions you have been diagnosed with.

Before agreeing to any settlement offer in a case involving injuries, it is always wise to speak with a qualified Iowa injury attorney to find out whether you are being treated fairly or taken advantage of. An attorney who deals with insurance companies daily and has handled hundreds of similar cases is far better positioned to evaluate your claim than family or friends, however well-intentioned.

How the Value of a Motorcycle Injury Claim Is Evaluated

Evaluating the value of a motorcycle injury claim involves multiple factors that go well beyond the initial medical bills. These include the severity and extent of the injuries, the nature of the injuries such as whether multiple body parts were affected, whether there are objective injuries like broken bones that are clearly documented, whether the victim was hospitalized, whether surgery was required, how much time was missed from work and where the victim was employed at the time of the injury, how much insurance coverage is available, and whether there is a claim for underinsured motorist coverage. Each of these factors shapes what a fair settlement truly looks like, and understanding them requires the knowledge and experience of a skilled motorcycle accident attorney.

Consulting a Urbandale 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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