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Iowa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Iowa, an Advocate can help.

A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

If you spend any time on a motorcycle, the risk of an accident is always present. Many drivers don’t see a motorcycle until it is too late. Unfortunately for the motorcyclist, this can mean serious injury or even death.

A motorcycle accident can leave you with pain and debilitating injuries. Your motorcycle is probably damaged, and the expenses may seem endless. It is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed after a collision. You can be sure where to start your physical, emotional and financial recovery.

If your accident was the fault of a negligent driver, you deserve to claim the damages you have suffered as a result. Attorneys can help you build your personal injury case, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injuries

Immediately after the accident, check for injuries

Hire a lawyer

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to get started on the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Material damage

Assess and repair property damage

Complete Treatment

Once you have completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your lawyer will send a letter of complaint to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all accidents require a lawyer. However, if the accident has caused significant injuries or property damage, it is a good idea to contact an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be long and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical history, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury attorney can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they did it on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to talk to an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations – you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a cent. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning our fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claim process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the other party’s willingness to settle, the court’s workload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can last from several months to several years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to start your case. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you complete your medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

A Team of Car Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For 30 years, The Advocates personal injury attorneys have helped victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance experts
  • Know your medical bills

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Iowa Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motocyclist looks down at his phone while resting on his motorcycle

What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?

The same high-risk behaviors that cause car accidents also cause motorcycle accidents. However, because motorcycles are much smaller than passenger vehicles, motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury or death than people who travel by car. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Not checking blind spots
  • Do not give way
  • distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol

Most motorcycle accidents are due to drivers not seeing the rider. For this reason, it is essential that drivers check their blind spots before changing lanes.

What are the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents?

Motorcyclists are injured in accidents at a much higher rate than people who travel by car. It is crucial that motorcyclists wear proper protective equipment to help protect them from serious injuries.

Some common injuries after motorcycle accidents include:

  • Traniocerebral trauma
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Damage to internal organs
  • Bone fractures
  • Strains, sprains and bruises
  • Road rash
Common injuries that occur during motorcycle accidents

How many motorcycle accidents occur each year in Iowa?

  • The number of motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths has decreased over the last two decades
  • Between 2016 and 2021, the average number of motorcycle accidents per year in Iowa was 950, up from 2,700 in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Iowa sees an average of 47 motorcycle accident deaths each year

When and where are motorcycle accidents most likely to occur?

While it is always important to be alert while riding, knowing when and where motorcycle accidents occur can help both riders and drivers avoid an accident. Some important statistics to know about motorcycle collisions are:

  • 64% of accidents occur from June to September
  • More accidents occur on weekends than on weekdays.
  • More than 50% of accidents occur between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • More than 90% of accidents occur dry
  • Municipal roads in urban areas record the highest number of accidents per year.
  • In approximately 35% of accidents, the motorist had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.
  • Des Moines and Cedar Rapids have the highest number of accidents each year.

Almost 50% of motorcycle accidents occur when a car collides with a motorcycle; The other 50% is due to the motorcyclist losing control.

Months with the most motorcycle accidents

Leyes de Iowa sobre motocicletas

Motorcycle helmet on a a blue gradient background

Do motorcyclists have to wear helmets?

Iowa is one of three states that does not require helmets for motorcycle riders of any age. It is also not mandatory to wear eye protection.

However, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation, about 90% of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in drivers who were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Helmets save lives, so it’s a good idea to wear one whenever you ride a motorcycle.

Goggles or face shields can help prevent bugs or debris from hitting your eyes, which is not only painful, but dangerous. The object could injure or damage your eye, permanently affecting your vision. It could also surprise you and cause you to swerve or brake suddenly.

What features should a motorcycle have?

All motorcycles in Iowa are required to have a headlight on at all times. This helps increase visibility, as motorcycles can be easily missed by motorists. The motorcycle must also have working turn signals, like any other vehicle.

If a rider plans to ride with a passenger, the motorcycle must have a seat and footrest for both. The passenger should sit behind the driver so as not to interfere with the driver’s vision or ability to drive.

Motorcyclist rides on a foggy mountain road
Motorcyclist rides the motorcycle safety course while instructor works with another student

What licenses does a motorist need?

There are several types of licenses and permits that allow you to operate a motorcycle on Iowa roads. The first is a motorcycle instruction permit, which functions similarly to a driver’s license. The permit allows you to ride a motorcycle accompanied by a licensed motorcyclist. To obtain a permit, you must pass a knowledge test and a vision test.

A motorcycle endorsement can be added to your existing driver’s license. To receive an endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test, a skills test, and a vision test.

If you do not already have a driver’s license, you can obtain a Class M license, which allows you to operate a motorcycle, but no other type of motor vehicle. This type of license requires more testing than the other two, but the skills test may be waived if you have completed a state-approved motorcycle education course.

Is changing lanes legal in Iowa?

Lane splitting, or the practice of allowing a motorcycle to share lanes with other vehicles to reduce traffic congestion, is not legal in Iowa. Motorcycles have the right to use an entire lane, and They are not allowed to circulate among other vehicles.

This practice is allowed in a growing number of states, especially at traffic lights, but remains illegal in the state of Iowa. It is dangerous to try on Iowa roads because drivers do not expect it. It is important to be as predictable as possible when riding a motorcycle, which means always respecting the laws.

When Should I Hire a Des Moines Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will do everything possible to avoid offering you fair compensation. They may try to diminish the severity of your injuries, claiming that your injuries were pre-existing, or deny responsibility for the accident altogether. A personal injury attorney can help you negotiate with insurance companies.

The Advocates personal injury law firm has three decades of experience fighting for our clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. We know the tricks insurance providers often play, and we will do everything we can to get you the settlement you deserve.

We are here to help you every step of the way. We provide more than legal services – we will assist you in accessing medical treatment and getting your motorcycle fixed, as well as understanding your medical bills. The Advocates truly care about you and your recovery, and our goal is the same as yours: a successful motorcycle accident lawsuit.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve excellent legal representation for your personal injury case. You deserve an Advocate.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

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