Iowa Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
As motorcycle accident statistics on Iowa crashes and injuries suggest, riding a motorcycle can cause devastating personal injury and even wrongful death. According to statistics reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are approximately 16 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than motorists*. Although nothing can alleviate the emotional and physical trauma of living through a motorcycle accident injury or the death of a loved one in a crash, victims may be able minimize the financial stress associated with their losses by obtaining a motorcycle accident settlement. Proner & Proner – an established and well-regarded motorcycle accident law firm – can help. Our motorcycle accident attorneys serve Iowa bikers who have been injured through no fault of their own. They have years of combined experience handling motorcycle accident claims. If you have been injured or lost a family member in a motorcycle collision, enlist our assistance. We will provide the exceptional legal counsel you need and deserve.
Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Victims
When a motorcyclist is injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligence, the motorcyclist may seek compensation for his or her injuries by filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, there are a number of parties that can be held liable for a victim’s injuries, including the manufacturer of a defective automotive or motorcycle part (or another defective product), the motorist with whom the motorcyclist collided, and even the injured himself or herself. The types of injuries for which a victim may seek damages, the components of a motorcycle accident settlement, and the process of filing suit are as follows:
Types of Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries are usually catastrophic (e.g., back, burn, spinal cord, and brain injury, and wrongful death), since motorcycles offer no protection to riders in the event of a crash. However, relatively minor injuries are also possible (e.g., broken bones and “road rash”). Whatever the severity of the injury, victims may be able to seek damages and should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement includes recompense for the financial losses a victim suffers as a result of his or her injuries – for example, his or her medical expenses, rehabilitative care, lost income, decreased earning potential, and the cost of maintaining his or her household during recovery. The size of the settlement depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the victim’s injuries, his or her degree of liability in the accident (if any), the skill of his or her lawyer, and state law.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is a complex process with a number of steps: investigating the accident scene, proving the fault of the liable parties, and filing all the necessary paperwork properly and within the time frame established by state law. Filing suit can be overwhelming without the help of a talented motorcycle accident attorney, like those at Proner & Proner. If you have suffered injury in a crash, contact our firm to obtain the assistance you need. When you secure our services, we will provide the outstanding legal counsel you need to move forward.
Learn about motorcycle accident laws in Iowa.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics gathered by our attorneys indicate accident trends in Iowa and throughout the U.S. since 1998*:
- In the U.S. between 1998 and 1999, the incidence of motorcycle accident deaths increased by 8 percent (from 2,294 to 2,472), while motorcycle accident injuries increased by 2 percent (from 49,000 to 50,000).
- In 2004, there were 4,028 motorcycle accident fatalities in the U.S., 36 of which occurred in Iowa – 9 percent of the 388 motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year.
- In 2005, there were 4,553 motorcycle accident fatalities in the U.S., 45 of which occurred in Iowa – 10 percent of the 450 motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year. Thirty-six percent of the 45 motorcycle accident fatality victims were helmeted, while 13 victims had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, at the time of the crash.
- In 2006, there were 57 motorcycle accident fatalities in Iowa – 13 percent of the 439 motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year.
- In 2007, there were 5,154 motorcycle accident fatalities in the U.S. Fifty-four of those deaths occurred in Iowa; 9 percent of the victims were helmeted, and 32 percent had a BAC of .01 or higher, at the time of the crash.
- Iowa is one of 16 states that mandate rider education for motorcyclists under a certain age and one of three states without a helmet law.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have suffered personal injury or the loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you need a talented lawyer to handle your potential claim. Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about your rights and motorcycle accident statistics. Our motorcycle accident attorneys serve clients throughout Iowa.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
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