Iowa Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Here are three important ways that bicycle accidents differ from motor vehicle wrecks in Iowa.

• A Bias Against Cyclists Using Iowa Roads: Many motorists believe that bicycles should not be on public streets unless cyclists are riding in a designated bike lane. The law gives Iowa bicyclists the same right to be on the road (with the exception of interstates) as any motorist.
• Iowa Bike Helmet Laws Differ from Other States: Iowa does not have a mandatory statewide bike helmet law for cyclists, including minors. In addition, Iowa’s minimum speed limit laws do not apply to bicyclists. These and other laws could make a difference when determining fault in a bike crash case.
• Iowa’s Bike Laws Can Vary Depending on the Situation: When Iowa cyclists are on the road, they must follow the same rules as motorists. When cyclists are on the sidewalk, the laws can differ depending on the city they are in. In Cedar Rapids, for example, cyclists can ride their bikes on the sidewalk except in the business district or anywhere there’s a posted sign that prohibits bikes. In addition, Iowa cyclists must use a headlight and taillight (or red tail reflector) from sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is reduced.

Yes, especially if your medical bills are more than $5,000 or you’ve needed treatment for more than five months. 

Insurance companies have an accident playbook that most cyclists never see. They’ll deny the crash happened. They’ll downplay the severity of your injuries. They may reach out early and lowball you.

A qualified Iowa bike accident attorney can counter these tactics, contact expert witnesses, prepare a strong case that’s ready for trial, and help you understand how much your claim is actually worth.

Here are six steps you need to take after a bicycle accident in Iowa. Taking these steps can protect your health, your legal rights, and the value of your claim.

1. Speak with a Bike Accident Attorney: A qualified bike accident lawyer understands Iowa bike laws and can help you figure out what steps to take next. walk away without receiving proper compensation.
2. Call 911: Call the police even if the driver seems nice or insists against it. This ensures there’s an official incident report about the accident. If the officer issues the driver a citation, this can help establish fault in a crash. Even if the officer doesn’t decide who’s at fault, having that written investigation is crucial. Without a police report, the insurance company will deny everything.
3. Gather Information: Get the vehicle, insurance, and contact information from the driver. Take down the contact information from any witnesses. Don’t make small talk with the driver, and do not try to make them feel better or that the accident wasn’t serious or wasn’t their fault. Remain cordial, but don’t be unnecessarily forgiving.
4. Document Everything: Take photos and videos of the vehicle, your bike, your injuries, and the accident scene. Take wide shots in addition to close-ups to provide a full sense of sightlines as well as weather and road conditions. Also make note of anything the driver says to you. An apology or a statement like “I didn’t see you” could help establish fault in the bike accident.
5. Seek Medical Attention: Adrenaline can hide serious injuries. Don’t say “I’m fine” or “I think I’m okay” at the scene of the accident because insurance companies can use that against you to claim you were not really hurt. Seek medical attention as soon as possible to establish a link between your injuries and the crash. If you’re offered an ambulance ride, take it.
6. Hold Onto Your Bike/Gear: Your damaged bike is proof of how hard you were hit. So is your cracked helmet and any torn clothing. Keep your bike and your gear. Do not get them fixed, mended, or washed. This can all help prove how violent the crash was.

Until your case settles or goes to trial, you will be responsible for paying your medical bills. Here are a few things you can do to ensure these bills aren’t sent to collections and ruin your credit:

• Submit all of your medical bills to your own health insurance.
• Use the MedPay coverage of your own auto insurance policy.
• Set up a payment plan with healthcare providers if you need to cover costs out of pocket.

In addition, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in your auto insurance policy can help if the driver who hit you wasn’t insured or did not have enough insurance to cover your bills..

In Iowa, you have two years from the date of your bike accident to settle your claim or file a lawsuit. That may sound like a good amount of time, but many things are happening soon after a crash.

Traffic cameras and security footage could be recorded over in just a few days. Key evidence could be lost due to the weather or a city crew. Witnesses may move away or their memories could get fuzzy.

The longer you wait, the easier it will be for insurance companies to dissect your bike accident case. It’s best to contact our Iowa bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible. We can talk through your injuries and what happened.