After a serious motorcycle accident in Iowa, a motorcycle accident attorney understands that getting a fair settlement won’t be easy. There are a number of factors that are different about motorcycle crashes that need to be considered before you decide to settle your claim.
Don’t Lose Your Settlement Money on Future Medical Bills
First, most serious motorcycle accident victims suffer injuries because of the crash. These injuries can require months or even years of treatment. You may even need medical treatment for the rest of your life.
If your motorcycle crash lawyer doesn’t factor your future medical treatment needs into your final settlement, you will be left paying for that treatment out of your own pocket. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine how much will need to be set aside for these future treatments.
Your Motorcycle Case Settlement Should Include Lost Wages
You also may not be able to work because of the severity of your injuries. On top of being in pain and facing expensive medical bills, you may face lost wages. If you don’t factor this into the settlement amount before you sign the final paperwork, you will not be reimbursed for this lost money.
Disprove the Insurance Company’s Claims That the Accident Was Your Fault
One thing many drivers claim after they hit a motorcycle is that they “couldn’t see” the motorcycle coming. Their insurance company will then try to claim your headlight was not on, or there was something else defective on the motorcycle that caused the crash instead of their driver.
A lawyer that specializes in motorcycle accidents can help you disprove these claims by showing your bike was “street-legal.” In order for bikes to be considered legal on the road in Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) requires:
- A working headlight, a taillight, and a brake light;
- Front and rear brakes;
- A horn;
- Mirrors; and
- Working turn signals
Having pictures of your bike before the accident and keeping records of your tune-ups and repairs can help prove your bike was not the cause of the accident.
Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Expert For Your Claim
Driving a motorcycle is very different from driving a car or truck. Understanding these differences often requires specialized expertise. That is why our law firm believes hiring an expert who understands motorcycles is an important step in handling your case.
A motorcycle accident expert can study a number of factors that may have caused your crash, including:
- Measure skid marks to determine speed of all the vehicles
- Study damage patterns on all vehicles to determine how the crash occurred
- Study weather conditions on the day of the accident to see if that factored into the crash
This expert analysis can help your motorcycle accident attorney prove who was at fault for the crash. In turn, this can help strengthen your case so you receive a fair settlement for your injuries.
To learn more about what you’re entitled to after an Iowa motorcycle accident, download our free Law Guide to Iowa Motorcycle Accident Claims or call RSH Legal at 1-319-774-1542 today and schedule your free consultation.
