Riding a motorcycle is a way of life for many Iowa residents. You may have a social life and a close-knit community that revolves around your love of hitting the road on your motorcycle. Even if you have years of experience riding the roads on two wheels, the chance of an accident always exists because other drivers do not always take as many precautions around motorcyclists as they should.
You may have known other riders who have had accidents, and you may have had many close calls yourself. Unfortunately, those close calls could one day turn into a serious crash that leaves you suffering in ways that you may not have anticipated.
Because motorcyclists do not have much protection against larger vehicles, even if you take safety measures and wear a helmet, a collision with another vehicle could quickly lead to severe injuries. Some common injuries that result from these types of accidents include:
Punctured lungs or other organ damage from broken ribs
Spinal cord injuries
Road rash that could present the need for skin grafts or other serious treatment
Brain injuries that could have temporary mild effects to severe permanent outcomes, even if you wear a helmet
Injuries to your extremities, including broken or crushed bones, burns, ligament and tendon damage, and more
Though you may not want to dwell on the dangers of riding a motorcycle because it is an activity that you enjoy, it is wise to remain conscious of the serious hazards that you face any time you hit the road. Always taking the time to ensure that you have taken steps to protect your body as well as possible, that your motorcycle is in proper working condition and that you do not take any unnecessary risks could increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely.
Unfortunately, even the safest of motorcyclists could find themselves facing injuries due to the reckless or negligent actions of another driver. In the event that you suffer serious harm, the challenges you face could seem overwhelming. If so, you may have reason to take legal action against the driver considered at fault for your injuries and other damages in hopes of obtaining compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other hardships resulting from the crash.
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited in Iowa. On suspicion of impaired or drunk driving, the police can stop your vehicle and ask you to take a field sobriety test, among other DUI tests. Understanding your rights with a field sobriety test is imperative to know what to do when pulled over for DUI and ensure that you do not implicate yourself inadvertently.
Most of us have seen police shows on TV where an officer informs someone in custody that they have a right to remain silent and be represented by an attorney during questioning. This statement, required by a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision, is known as your Miranda Rights.
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was enacted to protect citizens from any unlawful search and seizure by government authorities, including law enforcement officers. Unless under certain exceptions, it is illegal for a police officer to search a person's home, vehicle, or property without obtaining a valid search warrant or following the guidelines for conducting searches.
