A driver’s failure to check a blind spot, yield the right of way or pay attention to traffic can change a motorcyclist’s life in seconds. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, riders can suffer serious injuries even in crashes that occur at relatively low speeds.
At Johnson, Mulholland, Cochrane, Cochrane, Yung & Engler, P.L.C., our motorcycle accident attorneys help injured riders in Fort Dodge and throughout North-Central and Northwest Iowa. Our law firm has served Iowans since 1950. We combine substantial legal resources with the personal attention of local lawyers who understand how a serious accident can affect your health, work and family.
Motorcyclists sometimes face assumptions about how they ride simply because they were on a motorcycle. Those assumptions do not determine who caused an accident. Our attorneys focus on the evidence showing how the collision occurred and who was responsible.
A motorcycle crash may result from another driver’s:
Our Fort Dodge motorcycle accident lawyers can investigate the circumstances, gather available evidence and determine whether another driver or party may be legally responsible. Riders can also learn more about our law firm’s representation of people injured in motor vehicle crashes throughout Iowa.
Motorcyclists lack many of the physical protections available to people riding inside cars and trucks. A collision can throw a rider from the motorcycle or expose them directly to another vehicle, pavement or roadside objects.
Our lawyers can assist riders who have suffered injuries such as:
Some motorcycle crashes are fatal. When another party’s actions cause a rider’s death, our attorneys can evaluate whether the circumstances support an Iowa wrongful death claim.
The consequences of an accident may extend far beyond the initial medical treatment. An injury can interfere with your ability to work, support your family and participate in everyday activities. Our law firm considers those effects when evaluating a personal injury claim.
Many motorcycle accidents involve negligent drivers, but responsibility does not always end there. Depending on how the accident happened, an attorney may need to examine the conduct of multiple people or businesses.
For example, a motorcycle or component could have a defect that contributes to a crash or makes an injury worse. Problems involving brakes, tires or other critical components may require an investigation into the motorcycle itself rather than focusing exclusively on another driver.
Claims involving defective products are legally different from ordinary vehicle accident cases. Our lawyers can investigate the available evidence and determine which parties and legal theories should be considered rather than assuming that every motorcycle collision has a single cause.
Evidence can play an important role when drivers and insurance companies disagree about what happened. Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence may include photographs, video, witness accounts, crash reports, medical records and information about damage to the vehicles.
Our Fort Dodge attorneys can gather and evaluate available evidence, communicate with insurance companies and document the losses associated with an injury. That allows you to concentrate on medical care while your law firm addresses the legal process.
Insurance companies may also question the extent of a rider’s injuries or argue that the motorcyclist contributed to the collision. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can evaluate those allegations against the evidence and Iowa law.
Iowa riders often have practical questions about insurance, licensing and what happens after a collision. These answers provide general information, but the circumstances of an individual accident can affect your legal options.
Iowa requires applicable motor vehicle liability coverage for motorists operating vehicles on its roads. Motorcycle riders should make sure they understand the coverage that applies to them before riding.
Insurance issues can become especially important after a serious crash. Available coverage may depend on the policies involved and the circumstances of the collision. A motorcycle accident attorney can review the applicable insurance coverage when evaluating your claim.
Iowa generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions. A statute of limitations is a law establishing the period in which a lawsuit must be brought.
Different circumstances can affect legal deadlines, so you should not assume that the general two-year period resolves every timing question. Evidence can also disappear well before a deadline expires. Speaking with a lawyer early gives your law office more time to investigate the accident and determine which deadlines apply.
Yes. Iowa generally requires a rider to have a motorcycle endorsement on an existing driver’s license or a Class M motorcycle-only license. Obtaining a motorcycle endorsement generally requires a vision screening, motorcycle knowledge test and motorcycle skills test. The Iowa DOT may waive the skills test for someone who successfully completes an approved motorcycle education course.
Licensing requirements differ for some younger riders and permit holders. Whether a licensing issue has any effect on an injury claim is a separate question that depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Yes. Iowa does not generally require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. More importantly, not wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent an injured motorcyclist from pursuing compensation.
Iowa courts have rejected treating helmet nonuse itself as comparative fault based on a supposed common-law duty to wear a helmet. The facts of the collision and the conduct that caused it remain central to determining responsibility. If an insurer tries to blame you simply because you were riding without a helmet, a motorcycle accident lawyer can evaluate that argument under Iowa law.
Get to a safe location if you can and seek appropriate medical attention. Call 911 when emergency assistance is needed. If your condition allows, photographs of the scene, vehicle damage and surrounding area can help preserve information about what happened. Witness names and contact information may also be useful.
Keep records related to your medical treatment and communications about the accident. Be cautious about making assumptions regarding fault or the extent of your injuries before all the facts are known. If an insurance company requests a recorded statement or asks you to resolve the claim quickly, consider speaking with an attorney first.
A motorcycle accident can create both immediate expenses and longer-term losses. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the accident.
The amount available depends on the evidence and the individual effects of the injury. Our lawyers take the time to understand those consequences rather than evaluating a claim solely from the initial medical bills.
The Johnson Law Firm has served Iowa communities since 1950. Our attorneys live and work in the communities they represent, and our Fort Dodge law office provides injured people with local access to an established legal team.
We believe effective representation includes making the legal process understandable. Our lawyers listen to what happened, answer questions and help clients make informed decisions rather than treating them like another claim number
If another driver or party caused your motorcycle accident, you may have questions about medical expenses, insurance coverage and what to do next. The attorneys at Johnson, Mulholland, Cochrane, Cochrane, Yung & Engler, P.L.C., can review the circumstances and explain your legal options.
Our Fort Dodge law firm serves injured riders throughout North-Central and Northwest Iowa. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers online to start the conversation.
