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- Williamsburg Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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Motorcycle accidents near Williamsburg, Iowa can produce some of the most devastating injuries seen in any type of collision. Spinal cord damage, complete and incomplete paralysis, and the cascade of medical and emotional complications that follow can change a rider's life permanently. Whether you were the rider or a passenger, and whether you are just now dealing with the aftermath of an injury or trying to understand what the insurance company's offer actually means, this article covers what you need to know: the science behind spinal cord injuries in motorcycle crashes, your rights as a passenger on someone else's bike, and the hard truths about why insurance companies are not working in your best interests after a motorcycle accident near Williamsburg.
Spinal Cord Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents: What Iowa Riders and Their Families Need to Know
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, nearly 1,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in Iowa in a single year, and 34 died in motorcycle crashes during that same period. Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious consequences of these crashes, affecting approximately 11 percent of motorcycle accident victims according to a study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.
How Motorcycle Crashes Cause Spinal Cord Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries overall, accounting for 40 percent of all new spinal injury cases according to the Mayo Clinic. In a motorcycle collision, the rider's vertebrae can become damaged upon impact. One or more vertebrae can become crushed, compressed, or dislodged, directly injuring the spinal cord. In some cases, damaged ligaments or spinal discs also affect the spinal cord, creating serious neurological consequences even when the vertebrae themselves are not fractured.
Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
When a doctor deems a spinal cord injury complete, the rider has experienced a total loss of sensation and movement below the site of the injury. This level of injury represents the most catastrophic physical outcome of a motorcycle accident, often requiring lifelong care and permanently altering every aspect of the victim's ability to live, work, and function independently.
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some loss of sensation and function occurs, but it is not total. There are varying degrees of incomplete injuries, and it can take weeks or months to determine exactly the extent to which a victim's condition will remain permanent. The uncertainty itself is an additional source of emotional distress for victims and their families during what is already an extremely difficult period.
Patterns of Spinal Injury in Motorcycle Crashes
The St. James University Hospital study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery identified specific patterns in the types and locations of spinal cord injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes:
- Isolated injuries to the spine occurred in over 23 percent of riders
- Multiple vertebral levels, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, were affected in over 42 percent of riders
- The thoracic spine was the most commonly injured region, occurring in 54.8 percent of cases
- The lumbar spine was injured 30 percent of the time
- Twenty-seven percent of riders sustained cervical spine injuries
- Neurologic injury occurred in nearly 20 percent of the accidents studied
Physical Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
After a spinal cord injury, numerous changes in body function can cause serious and ongoing health complications. These physical consequences compound the initial injury and frequently require long-term medical management:
- Blood clots and pressure sores
- Breathing difficulties
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Increased risk of urinary infections, kidney infections, and bladder stones
- Blood pressure problems
- Susceptibility to lung problems and pneumonia
- Muscle atrophy and weight issues
- Sexual and reproductive function issues
- Muscle, joint, and nerve pain
The Danger of Undiagnosed Vertebral Fractures
Undiagnosed compression fractures represent a particularly dangerous scenario following a motorcycle crash near Williamsburg. These fractures are sometimes hairline and may not initially show up on X-rays, making diagnosis more difficult. When left untreated, they can lead to kyphosis, or curvature of the spine, which causes deformity, can compress internal organs, and leads to a wide range of additional health problems. Other complications of undiagnosed compression fractures include chronic pain, reduced physical function, impaired lung function, decreased ability to perform daily activities, and depression, anxiety, and decreased enjoyment of life. The painful symptoms will increase over time, eventually causing disability if the fractures are left untreated. If you suspect a compression fracture following a motorcycle crash near Williamsburg, seek medical attention immediately.
Mental and Emotional Impact of Spinal Cord Injury
The complications described above address only the physical side of a spinal cord injury. Many motorcycle riders experience severe mental and emotional consequences following this type of serious injury. According to research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, there was a two-fold increase or more in the probability of an emotional disorder in spinal injury victims. Researchers noted that nearly half of spinal cord patients suffer from mental health problems including depression affecting 37 percent of cases, anxiety affecting 30 percent, clinical-level stress affecting 25 percent, and post-traumatic stress disorder affecting 8.4 percent. These psychological consequences are legitimate, real, and compensable through a personal injury claim when they result from a crash caused by another party's negligence.
For more on motorcycle spinal cord injuries and your legal options, read Motorcycle Accidents Causing Spinal Cord Injuries in Iowa at iowainjured.com.
Were You a Passenger on Someone Else's Bike? Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident Near Williamsburg
Motorcycle accident victims who were injured as a passenger on a friend's or family member's bike can file an injury claim against the at-fault party. The direction that claim takes, whether it falls under the motorcyclist's insurance policy or against a third party such as another vehicle's driver, depends largely on who was at fault and the type of coverage available.
Iowa's Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
Iowa minimum motorcycle insurance requirements (20/40/15):
- $20,000 in bodily injury liability for one person
- $40,000 in bodily injury liability for all persons in one accident
- $15,000 for property damage
Many motorcyclists choose to carry coverage beyond these minimums. Some also carry medical payments coverage, which pays for the costs of medical care regardless of fault. Passengers may also be able to use their own coverage to initially cover costs while a liability claim against the at-fault party is being resolved.
When Coverage Falls Short and What Comes Next
There are situations where the at-fault party's insurance coverage is simply not sufficient to cover all the damages. Consider a scenario where another driver runs a stop sign and crashes into the motorcycle, injuring both the rider and the passenger. If that driver carries only minimum coverage, the bodily injury limits may not come close to covering both victims' full losses. When insurance coverage is not enough, there is always the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party, whether the motorcyclist, the other driver, or a combination of parties. While some minor insurance claims may be handled without an attorney, filing a lawsuit typically requires legal representation.
Damages Available to Injured Motorcycle Passengers
Motorcycle accident victims who were passengers can suffer injuries that are just as severe as those sustained by the rider, and the legal right to pursue compensation is just as strong. Damages available in a passenger injury claim may include:
- Medical and hospital costs associated with treating all injuries, including spinal cord injuries and their long-term complications
- Lost earnings for any time you were unable to work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and its ongoing impact on your quality of life
- Compensation for any disability caused by the accident, including long-term or permanent impairment
- Emotional distress tied to the trauma of the crash and the recovery process, documented by mental health providers
For more on filing a claim as an injured motorcycle passenger in Iowa, read Can I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim If I Was a Passenger on a Friend's Bike? at iowainjured.com.
Can You Trust the Insurance Company After a Williamsburg Motorcycle Accident?
In Iowa alone, there are more than 100 insurance companies that sell policies ranging from personal injury coverage to workers' compensation. Just because you or the other driver carries insurance does not mean the insurance company is going to look out for you. Some people assume their own insurance company will pursue a personal injury claim on their behalf. That is simply not accurate. While your insurer may try to recover what it paid for property damage, it is highly unlikely to pursue a personal injury claim for your benefit.
Five Truths About Insurance Companies Every Williamsburg Motorcycle Victim Should Know
Insurance companies are in the business of making the most profit possible, which means paying you as little as possible. The adjuster may seem cooperative, but their job description is the same regardless of how friendly the interaction feels: minimize what they pay and close your file.
There is no legal requirement that the insurance company for the other side be truthful with you about your rights, the value of your claim, or the best way for you to proceed. Adjusters sometimes build rapport deliberately to gain your trust before using information you voluntarily share to reduce their offer.
When injuries are serious, insurance adjusters are especially likely to take a cooperative and understanding approach early in the process. This "Mr. Nice Guy" or "Mrs. Nice Lady" routine is not goodwill. It is a trained tactic designed to create familiarity and lower your guard before the actual negotiation begins. Do not mistake a cooperative adjuster for one who is working on your behalf.
Insurance companies are in the business of selling insurance and are not eager to pay claims. Their financial success depends on collecting premiums and limiting payouts. Understanding this fundamental business model before you speak with any adjuster is one of the most protective steps you can take.
Always tell the truth. Be smart when dealing with the adjuster by considering whether having a professional on your side is appropriate given the severity of your injuries. Document your damages carefully through a daily diary of your symptoms, and retain all medical bills, explanation of benefits forms, and work excuse documentation. Be thorough at every medical appointment by reporting every symptom and every limitation you are experiencing as a result of the crash. And attend your medical appointments consistently, because failing to follow up sends a signal to the insurer that you have recovered.
Before you speak with any insurance adjuster, accept any settlement offer, or sign any paperwork: Consult with a qualified Williamsburg motorcycle accident attorney. A free consultation costs you nothing and protects everything. The decisions you make in the first days and weeks after a serious motorcycle crash directly shape the compensation you ultimately receive.
For a deeper understanding of how Iowa's insurance companies operate and what you can do to protect yourself, read Can I Trust the Insurance Company in Iowa Injury Cases? at iowainjured.com.
Consulting a Williamsburg 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.