Johnston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Johnston, IA

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Johnston, the injuries may be more serious than those of a typical traffic collision. Riders absorb the full force of an impact, and the resulting injuries such as road rash, broken bones, spinal damage, traumatic brain injury that often require months of medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Our Johnston, IA motorcycle accident lawyer at Law Group of Iowa has handled motorcycle crash cases across the state for over two decades. Consultations are free, and we collect no fees unless we win your case.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Motorcycle Accident Cases in Johnston, IA?

Trial Lawyers Who Stand Up for Riders

Insurance companies approach motorcycle cases with a bias that doesn’t exist in car accident claims. Adjusters assume the rider was going too fast, riding recklessly, or should have been in a car in the first place. We’ve spent years pushing back on that mindset, and we know how to build a motorcycle accident case that overcomes anti-rider prejudice with facts and evidence.

Christopher Johnston has been practicing since 2001 and handles motorcycle crashes, car accidents, pedestrian injuries, semi-truck collisions, and wrongful death litigation. He holds bar admissions in Iowa, Minnesota, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal Court in Minnesota. Chris received the Up and Coming Attorney of The Year recognition in 2007 and a Rising Star designation in 2011. He belongs to the American Association for Justice and the Iowa Bar Association.

Christopher Martineau cofounded the firm with Christopher Johnston and has practiced since 2003. His work concentrates on auto accidents, construction injuries, premises liability, and wrongful death cases. Chris Martineau is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, restricted to attorneys who have obtained at least one million-dollar verdict or settlement.

Our founding partners have helped Iowa clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases. That record carries weight in motorcycle cases because insurers are more likely to make fair offers when they know the attorney is willing to go to trial.

We Prove Fault With Evidence, Not Assumptions

Determining fault in a motorcycle accident requires careful investigation. We collect police reports, obtain traffic and surveillance camera footage, interview witnesses, and work with reconstruction professionals when necessary. The goal is to establish what actually happened, not what the insurance company assumes happened, and to present evidence that makes it difficult for the other side to shift blame onto the rider. As a personal injury attorney in Johnston, IA, we prepare every case with trial in mind.

No Fees Unless We Recover for You

We handle motorcycle cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and you pay nothing unless we secure a recovery on your behalf.

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“Chris Johnston is the most down to earth respectful attorney that gets the job done.” — Marymarilyn A

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Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Johnston

Motorcycle accidents happen in a range of scenarios, and the type of crash affects both the injuries involved and the legal approach we take. NHTSA motorcycle data consistently shows that riders face a far higher fatality rate per mile traveled than drivers of passenger vehicles. Here are the motorcycle cases our attorneys handle for clients in Johnston, IA.

• Left-turn accidents. A car or truck turning left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle is one of the most common causes of serious rider injuries. The at-fault driver almost always claims they didn’t see the bike.
• Lane-change collisions. Drivers who fail to check blind spots before changing lanes or merging can clip a motorcycle traveling beside them, sending the rider to the ground at highway speed.
• Rear-end crashes. A motorcyclist stopped at a light or in traffic who gets rear-ended has no crumple zone to absorb the blow. These collisions can produce severe spinal injuries and brain trauma.
• Intersection crashes. Red-light runners and drivers who roll through stop signs account for a significant portion of motorcycle accidents in Johnston and surrounding areas. The lack of structural protection makes even a moderate-speed intersection crash potentially life-threatening for a rider.
• Road hazard accidents. Potholes, loose gravel, oil slicks, and uneven pavement can cause a motorcyclist to lose control. If a government entity or property owner failed to address a known hazard, they may share liability.
• DUI collisions. Intoxicated drivers who strike motorcyclists may face punitive damages in addition to standard compensation for the victim’s injuries.

Iowa Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Accident Cases

Iowa’s motor vehicle laws apply to motorcycle accidents the same way they apply to car crashes, but the practical dynamics are different because of how adjusters and juries perceive riders.

The state’s modified comparative fault system under Iowa Code Chapter 668 is the source of most disputes in motorcycle claims. The insurance company will try to assign you as much fault as possible for lane positioning, for speed, for not wearing a helmet. Iowa does not have a mandatory helmet law for adults, but that doesn’t stop adjusters from arguing that the absence of a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries. If your assigned fault reaches 51%, you recover nothing under Iowa law. A motorcycle accident attorney in Johnston, IA who can neutralize these arguments with evidence is essential.

The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident under Iowa Code § 614.1(2). Wrongful death claims carry the same deadline, measured from the date of death. The Iowa DOT tracks crash statistics statewide, and motorcyclists are consistently overrepresented in fatal crash data relative to the number of registered bikes on Iowa roads.

Iowa requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage under Iowa Code § 321A.1. Motorcycle injuries almost always exceed those minimums, so we evaluate underinsured motorist coverage and all other potential sources of recovery on every case we take.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Johnston Motorcycle Accident Cases?

Motorcycle injuries are typically more severe than injuries from car accidents because of the rider’s exposure, and the damages in these cases reflect that difference.

Economic damages cover documented financial losses. Emergency treatment, surgery, ICU stays, physical therapy, medication, prosthetics, and projected future care are all included. Many riders are unable to return to work for extended periods, and some are permanently unable to do the type of work they did before the crash. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity make up a significant part of most motorcycle claims. Riders should be cautious about mistakes after a crash that could weaken their case, including accepting a settlement before the full cost of their injuries is known. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more money even if your condition worsens or new medical issues emerge.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain, emotional distress, anxiety, loss of sleep, and the inability to enjoy activities that were part of your life before the accident. Many motorcycle accident victims develop lasting anxiety about being on the road, even as passengers in someone else’s car. The psychological harm from a serious crash is real, and Iowa law treats it as compensable. Iowa does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, and juries have broad discretion to award what the evidence supports.

Punitive damages are available when the at-fault driver’s conduct was willful and wanton. A driver who was drunk, street racing, or fleeing police at the time of the crash could face a punitive damages claim. Iowa requires clear and convincing evidence for these awards, but the amounts can be substantial when the behavior is egregious.

If a motorcycle accident in Johnston takes a life, surviving family members can bring a wrongful death claim. Funeral costs, lost future earnings, loss of companionship, and the grief of surviving family are all recoverable. These claims carry the same two-year statute of limitations, measured from the date of death.

Contact Law Group of Iowa

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Johnston, IA, our attorneys will evaluate your case at no cost and explain your options clearly. We handle motorcycle claims on a contingency basis, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you.

We will go over the facts of your crash, explain how Iowa law applies to your situation, and give you a straightforward assessment of what your case may be worth. The sooner we can review the details, the sooner we can start preserving evidence and building your case. We are available by phone or can meet at a time that works for your schedule.

Contact us to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Johnston about your case.