The number of motorcycle accidents in Iowa has fluctuated over time, with serious injuries ranging from 60 to 100 from 2010 to 2022. These accidents lead to injuries of varying severity and even fatalities and are so serious because motorcycle riders do not have the protection car occupants have.
One of the most common types of injury in these accidents is spinal cord injuries. The spine carries signals from the brain to the rest of the body, and any injuries to it affect the body in different ways.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Injuries in Iowa
One of the most common causes is speeding. Many experienced bikers understand that the severity of injuries is directly proportional to the speed you were going at when you got into an accident. You carry more energy at higher speeds, meaning you are more likely to hit the ground more forcefully or be thrown much further when speeding.
Also, reaction times and stopping distances decrease the higher the speed. Since you are covering more distance per second, you have less time to react if something happens on the road, which will result in an accident. Also, you need a lot more distance to stop, and you may not have it if someone or a vehicle suddenly appears in front of you. If a crash occurs due to another driver’s negligence, a personal injury attorney in Des Moines may be able to assist you.
Lack of Protection
Numerous studies have shown that helmets can reduce the severity of motorcycle accidents by about 30%. In addition, motorcyclists should wear additional protective gear, such as spine protectors, to reduce the probability of life-changing injuries if they are involved in an accident. While spine guards will not protect you from cuts and bruises, they will reduce the severity of spinal cord injuries and how they affect your life.
Alcohol
Although illegal in Iowa, many people still drink and ride their motorcycles. Drinking impairs judgment, leads to poor decision-making, increases reaction times, and affects your muscles in ways that make it difficult to control a motorcycle or get out of a difficult situation if you get into one.
However, more motorcyclists are injured by drunk drivers than the other way around. This means you have to be on the lookout for such issues, and the driver is liable if they strike you and cause an accident.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The two main types of spinal cord injuries are complete and incomplete. Any of them can happen in a motorcycle accident, and they describe the level of damage the spinal cord has sustained.
Incomplete spinal injuries leave the victim with some feeling and function below this point. They may not suffer the loss of motor or sensory function or total paralysis.
Complete spinal injuries lead to the severance of nerve fibers along a specific level of the spinal cord. They cause loss of all feeling and ability to control movement, sensory and motor control respectively, at points below the injury. Complete spinal injuries lead to paralysis.
Since it changes your quality of life, and ability to do what you love, and causes additional damage, you have the right to sue if your motorcycle accident was someone else’s fault. We have offices in 32 locations across 19 states, including Iowa, Washington, and Arizona, where you can talk to our attorneys who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Types of Complete Paralysis
If your motor accident is severe enough, it can cause different types of complete paralysis. These include:
- Brown-Sequard syndrome – A type of paralysis that affects one part of the body.
- Central cord syndrome – This type of paralysis is caused by injury to the middle of the spinal cord. It affects the arms but not the legs.
- Posterior cord syndrome – This paralysis presents with retention of sensory function but a loss of coordination. Its primary cause is an injury in the middle of the back.
- Anterior cord syndrome -This is one of the most common types of spinal injuries, and it causes loss of sensation below the injury. It can also present with issues maintaining body temperature and is caused by an injury to the front or anterior of the spinal cord.
- Quadriplegia – Another common type of injury and arguably the most devastating. It results in the paralysis of the trunk and all limbs. Its cause is an injury to the upper sections of the spinal cord, but it can also be caused by severe neck injuries.
- Paraplegia – This injury presents with loss of all sensation and movement below the waist or in the body’s lower half. It is caused by injuries to the lower or middle back during motorcycle or other types of accidents.
Recovering Compensation in Motorcycle Accidents
Recovering financial compensation for spinal cord injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident requires the help of an experienced attorney. This is especially true if you are involved in a truck accident and have to deal with a large corporation.
The strength of your case will depend on the evidence you gather at the scene of the accident and how well you can prove another party was negligent and thus liable. You will be able to prove damages using the medical records for all your treatments and medications. Your doctors will also write reports about your outlook, likely outcomes, and future needs.
An attorney should help you quantify how much you can expect as a settlement or award of the case goes to court. They will also discuss your case with the insurance company and the liable party’s representative to ensure you get the best outcome.
Motorcycle accidents often lead to devastating outcomes for the rider, a common type of injury in the case being a spinal cord one. Such injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis that can impact your life in numerous significant ways. In addition to being a safe rider, you should always be on the lookout for careless road users to avoid such accidents. If you are involved in one, you have the right to sue the negligent party for current and future damages. In addition to helping you get compensation, our attorneys will help hold the other party responsible.
You can call us now for a free consultation on (888) 477-0597 to discuss your accident and injuries so we can formulate a strategy for getting you the best compensation possible.