A sedan struck a motorcycle on Highway 65 near Bondurant on May 4, leaving three people injured and one motorcycle passenger in life-threatening condition. The crash, reported by WHO 13, happened when the car attempted to turn onto the highway and collided with the northbound motorcycle.
This type of collision is one of the most common and most dangerous for riders in Iowa. When a vehicle pulls into the path of a motorcycle, the rider has almost no time to react and very little protection on impact.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Cause Severe Injuries
A motorcycle offers none of the structural protection a car provides. There are no airbags, no crumple zones, no seatbelts. In a collision with a passenger vehicle or truck, the rider absorbs the full force of the impact.
The injuries that result from these crashes tend to be severe. Common outcomes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, particularly when no helmet is worn
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Multiple fractures in the legs, arms, pelvis, and ribs
- Internal organ injuries from blunt force trauma
- Road rash that can require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring
Recovery from these injuries is rarely quick. Many riders face months or years of medical treatment, surgeries, and physical rehabilitation. Some injuries are permanent.
Iowa’s Motorcycle Fatality Rate Is Disproportionately High
Iowa riders face an outsized risk on the road. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, motorcycle fatalities have represented a disproportionate share of the state’s traffic deaths in recent years, despite motorcycles accounting for a fraction of registered vehicles. In 2023, 63 motorcycle fatalities occurred out of 378 total traffic deaths statewide.
Iowa is also one of only three states in the country that does not require adult riders to wear helmets. While this is a personal choice, insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely use helmet non-use to argue that the rider’s injuries were partly their own fault.
How Fault Works in Iowa Motorcycle Accidents
Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system under Iowa Code Chapter 668. This means an injured rider can still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the crash, but only if their share of fault does not exceed 50%. If a jury or insurance adjuster assigns the rider 51% or more of the blame, the rider recovers nothing.
This system creates a specific challenge for motorcyclists. Adjusters frequently attempt to shift blame to the rider by pointing to speed, lane positioning, or the decision to ride a motorcycle in the first place. These arguments do not reflect how Iowa law actually works, but they are effective at pressuring unrepresented riders into accepting low settlements.
A Des Moines, IA motorcycle accident lawyer can counter these tactics by building a fault case based on evidence rather than assumptions. That evidence typically includes the police report, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and in some cases, accident reconstruction analysis.
The Two-Year Filing Deadline
Under Iowa Code § 614.1(2), injured riders have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to both injury claims and wrongful death claims. Missing it typically means losing the right to pursue compensation entirely.
Two years may sound like a long time, but building a strong case takes months. Medical records need to be gathered, depositions may need to be taken, and the full scope of the injuries needs to be understood before a fair settlement number can even be discussed.
Protecting Your Rights After a Crash
The Bondurant crash is a reminder that motorcycle accidents can happen to anyone, even on a familiar stretch of highway in broad daylight. When another driver causes a collision, the injured rider should not have to bear the financial weight of someone else’s mistake.
Law Group of Iowa represents motorcycle accident victims across the Des Moines metro area and throughout the state. If you or a family member has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, a Des Moines motorcycle accident attorney can review the facts of your case and help you understand what options are available to you.
