When you are involved in a car accident, you may wonder if you need a lawyer to settle your claim with an insurer. Generally speaking, if you are not injured, you may be able to settle the insurance claim without the need for legal representation. However, if you or a family member is hurt in an accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may wish to hire a personal injury attorney to pursue compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other costs related to the injury.
Statistically, injured parties who seek legal representation secure a better settlement than those who represent themselves – knowledge and skill go a long way when negotiating with insurers and at fault parties following an injury accident.
Personal injury law is unique in that personal injury lawyers only get paid if they win your case – their fee is a percentage of the compensation that is recovered on your behalf. When you sit down with a personal injury lawyer for an initial consultation, he or she can advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case and the potential compensation you can expect if you move forward.
Motor vehicle accidents often result in serious injuries. In addition to medical bills, lost wages, and damage to a vehicle, an injured party may be entitled to compensation for damages including emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment. If a family member is killed in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, wrongful death damages may also be paid.
What to Do Following Your Car Accident
When you are injured in a car accident, no matter how insignificant the injury may seem at the time, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to document your injuries. It is not uncommon for injuries to linger or grow worse in the days and weeks following an accident.
Unless otherwise advised, do not leave the scene of an accident – wait until the police arrive being sure to take down the name and badge numbers of officers on the scene. If there are witnesses to the accident, take down contact information and be sure to snap photos of the scene including damage to vehicles and injuries sustained by you or your passengers.
Contact a personal injury attorney promptly to understand what is in your best interests to do and not do following an accident, preferably before providing a statement to anyone other than the police and your own insurance company to report that an accident has occurred.
In the days and weeks following an injury accident, it is advisable to obtain a copy of the police report – if any – and to commit to making journal entries daily to include details of the accident and your experience afterward including symptoms, medical visits, missed work and activities related to the injuries or treatment of injuries. It is not uncommon to forget details that are important when seeking compensation in a personal injury case so documenting your experience is key.
Fleeing the scene of an injury accident is not advisable – a driver will certainly face financial and legal consequences if they do not stop to render aid. If you are a victim of a hit and run accident, contacting the police to file a report will help them find the driver and hold him or her accountable. If an at-fault driver does not have insurance, a personal attorney may file a claim directly against the uninsured party for damages.
Accepting a Settlement from an Insurance Company
It is common for an insurance company to offer the minimum amount to settle an injury case. Before accepting a settlement offer, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine if the proposed settlement offer is fair or if you should pursue more compensation with the help of a personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer has vast knowledge of various injuries and related prognoses and can provide insight into what compensation is achievable in your case.
Contact an Experienced Iowa Car Accident Lawyer for Help Today
When you or a family member is injured in a car accident in Iowa, contact Des Moines personal injury lawyer Marc A. Humphrey for immediate assistance today at 515-331-3510.
