If you own a motorcycle in the state of Iowa and either ride it for your everyday commute or on an occasional basis, you need to be aware of what your responsibilities are as a rider. Motorcyclists not only share the same duties as someone operating a passenger vehicle, but also have others they must carry out that only apply to them. Some of the things bikers in the state of Iowa need to be aware of include:
- Know what is an acceptable following distance– The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) recommends that you maintain a minimum of two seconds distance behind the vehicle in front of you to prevent from following too closely. Although this two-second distance rule isn’t stipulated as a law per se, you can be found responsible for an accident if it was caused on account of following the vehicle ahead of you too closely, which is a major factor in crashes that involve motorcyclists.
- Understand your role at an intersection- The IDOT also says that it is your duty to check the intersection for possible latecomers if you are given the green light to go. The fact is, there may be a driver coming from the left or the right that failed to stop at their yellow or red light. Now, because it is your duty to wait and look out for these drivers before attempting to pass through your green light, you could be held partially liable for the collision if the two of you were to collide into one another.
- Remember to always signal your intentions- All drivers, whether you are behind the wheel of a car, truck, motorcycle, etc. must signal your intentions. Failure to do so not only makes it difficult for other drivers to maneuver around you, but it also causes serious and sometimes fatal accidents to occur.
Why does a motorcyclist need to familiarize themselves with their responsibilities?
It is in your best interest to familiarize yourself with all of your responsibilities as a biker in the state of Iowa, especially those who were recently involved in a motorcycle accident. The fact is, if you are looking to hold a party liable for the injuries you suffered, you could potentially lose out on compensation if you failed to carry out one or more of your duties. The state of Iowa enforces the Comparative Fault law which only bars a victim from recovering damages if he or she was 51% at-fault for causing the accident.
This means that if it can be determined that your actions caused 51% or more of the accident, you won’t be able to pursue the party you thought was liable for damages, which is compensation paid to a victim as a form of relief.
So, if you recently suffered an injury in a motorcycle collision in Iowa and want to find out if you are entitled to file suit against the driver, and if so, for how much, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. to speak with a skilled Iowa personal injury attorney.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
Website: www.eellsandtronvold.com
Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC 
