Des Moines Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Protecting Your Rights
A motorcycle crash can cause serious injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries, broken bones and road rash. In the most serious crashes, riders may lose their lives. These injuries can require extensive medical care and affect your ability to work and your quality of life.
When a crash leaves you facing these challenges, our motorcycle accident attorneys at Spaulding & Shaull, PLC, can help you understand your legal options. We can review what happened and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages allowed in Des Moines.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Iowa
Motorcycle crashes can stem from driver mistakes, unsafe roads or motorcycle-specific risks. Finding the cause is important to prove who may be responsible. These accidents usually occur due to:
- Left-turn collisions: A driver turns left across a motorcycle’s path after failing to see the rider.
- Lane splitting: In Iowa, riders cannot travel between lanes of traffic. Unfortunately, some riders violate this rule, which leads to deadly accidents on the road.
- Road hazards: Potholes, loose gravel or poorly maintained rural roads can cause a motorcycle to lose traction or tip over.
- Distracted or impaired drivers: A driver looks at a phone, drives impaired or fails to see a motorcycle before turning.
- Seasonal risks: Storms reduce visibility, and deer crossing roads during migration season can block a motorcycle’s path.
No matter which factors played a role in your crash, finding the cause is a key step toward a strong motorcycle accident claim.
Iowa-Specific Motorcycle Laws And Regulations
Iowa has several rules specifically for motorcyclists. Whether you followed these rules can affect how fault is assigned after a crash and, in turn, how much compensation you may recover:
- Helmet requirements: Riders 18 and older generally do not have to wear helmets, though rules may differ for younger riders and passengers.
- Lane use: Motorcycles have the same right to a full traffic lane as other vehicles, so lane splitting is not allowed.
- Passenger requirements: Motorcycles carrying passengers must be equipped with a second seat and fitted with passenger footrests.
- Comparative fault: Iowa can reduce your compensation based on your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover damages if you are 51% or more at fault.
These laws can affect what a settlement is worth, and our lawyers can explain how they affect your claim.
Contact Our Des Moines Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now
You should not have to face insurance adjusters or a confusing legal process alone. Our Des Moines motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to review your crash and lay out your options in plain terms. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call Spaulding & Shaull, PLC, today at 515-620-3355 or use our online form for a free consultation.