Let’s say you were involved in a car crash in Iowa and another driver was responsible for causing it. You suffered some injuries that require ongoing medical attention and you haven’t been able to work. Not only are you suffering physically from the injuries you suffered but you are also finding it hard to afford your everyday necessities along with your recurring bills. At this particular moment, you might be feeling a little vulnerable and this is the time insurance companies will likely try and contact you to get your claim settled and closed.
Now, because our personal injury attorneys in Iowa know that most insurance companies are only looking for one thing and that is to pay as few dollars as possible for a claim, we have some important information we’d like you to consider that can help protect you and your finances after a car crash.
Key Things You Should and Shouldn’t Do to Protect Yourself After a Wreck in Iowa
- If you want to safeguard yourself from being taken advantage of by an insurer as well as ensure you are adequately compensated for your losses, you are going to want to hire an Iowa personal injury attorney.
Once you have Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. working on your side informing you on what your legal rights are, your insurer won’t be able to take advantage of you and undervalue your claim. You see, insurance agents are trained professionals who know how to pressure and convince car crash victims to accept a settlement earlier on in the claims process before a person has time to properly assess their damages. For example, if an insurer were to close your claim before you are able to determine the extent of your injuries, they are likely to pay you less than what you would receive had you had the time to evaluate your injuries, the type of care you would need, and how long you would need it for.
So, if an insurer tells you that you must accept the settlement that has been offered as your claim is not worth any more than that, our skilled IA personal injury attorneys can step in and determine whether or not you are being compensated fairly. Did you know that some insurers act in bad faith when handling claims? When an insurer is found to be acting in bad faith, a claimant such as yourself would be entitled to bring a lawsuit against the company in an effort to recover the money you are owed as well as to recognize the carrier for their unjust ways.
Important: Knowing when an insurer is acting in bad faith can be hard to determine which is yet another reason why you should retain an attorney who can establish when a case needs to be initiated.
- Don’t let desperation cause you to make a decision that cannot be undone.
As we’ve mentioned before, insurers will typically contact a car crash victim directly after an accident and in many cases, be ready to provide you with a check for your property damage and injuries (given the policy covers this). They know that most victims are in need of some extra money and are vulnerable. As desperate as you may be, you don’t want to make the mistake of accepting an amount that will not be enough to cover your losses. While the money will help you now, what happens when a few months down the road you are still in need of medical care such as physical therapy and can no longer afford it?
It is important that during this time, you listen to the advice your personal injury lawyer provides you with as our legal representatives are not going to steer you in the wrong direction. Rather than just settle your claim, you will want to factor in what your losses will be in the future and ensure the insurer includes this amount in the settlement they have offered so early on in the claims process.
Important: Once you accept a settlement from the insurer, your claim will then close and you will not be eligible to pursue the company for any additional money.
- Have your medical condition (i.e. physical and psychological injuries) thoroughly evaluated before you agree to any type of settlement from the insurer.
While you can always have a doctor provide you with a prognosis after an accident, the only way to truly tell the extent of your injuries is to undergo medical care and monitor how you recover. And this can take time. Over the course of the recovery process, you might learn that your injury will never fully heal or has led to another medical condition developing. These factors alone will likely cause you to spend more towards your medical care in the future, something you wouldn’t take into account if you didn’t wait and have a doctor thoroughly assess your condition.
Are you ready to speak with an IA injury attorney to learn more about how you can protect yourself after engaging in a collision in Iowa?
Our IA personal injury attorneys can only imagine what you must be going through right now as life after an accident can be tough. Your expenses may be adding up and may not be capable of returning to work just yet. You may be suffering physically which only contributes to the stress and pressure you might be feeling. If you want to be sure you are properly compensated for your injuries and losses, contact our personal injury law firm in Iowa and our team of dedicated lawyers would be happy to assist you.
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
