Albia Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Unexpected accidents and injuries can disrupt lives. In such challenging moments, car accident injury lawyers are essential allies. They support those harmed by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This piece highlights the critical function these lawyers serve in assisting individuals with their claims and restoring their lives.

How Does Spondylolisthesis Affect My Car Accident Settlement?

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one or more vertebrae in the spine slide forward over the vertebrae below it. This can lead to back pain, sciatica (nerve compression causing pain or numbness in the legs), and other serious conditions. Treatment may include physical therapy, injections, surgery, and activity restrictions. Often, people live with spondylolisthesis without symptoms until a traumatic event, such as a car accident, triggers them. Unfortunately, insurance companies may try to attribute your current problems to this pre-existing condition.

What to Do If You Have Spondylolisthesis

Under Iowa law, you are entitled to recover damages for an injury that aggravates a pre-existing condition like spondylolisthesis. If your medical records show no history of back problems until after a car accident and your doctors confirm that your current back pain is due to the crash, you should be able to recover compensation. However, insurance companies might still argue that they should only cover a few weeks of treatment because of your pre-existing condition. If you believe the insurance company’s offer is unfair, contact an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney for help.

Common Knee Injuries from Car Accidents

Knee injuries are common in car accidents due to the knee being forced toward the dashboard, crushed, twisted, or hitting another object. Some common knee injuries include:

Knee Sprains and Strains

These are soft tissue injuries. A sprain involves stretching or tearing a ligament, while a strain affects a muscle or tendon. Though less severe than full tears, sprains and strains can be painful and debilitating. Treatment often includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE).

MCL Injury

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) stabilizes the inner knee. It can be torn when the knee is forcefully twisted. Some MCL injuries heal on their own, while others require surgery and rehabilitation.

ACL Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses the front of the knee joint. Most ACL injuries are complete or nearly complete tears, often requiring surgical reconstruction.

PCL Injury

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest knee ligament and the least likely to be injured. PCL injuries often result from a direct blow, such as the knee hitting the dashboard in a car accident.

Social Media and Car Accident Claims

Refrain from Talking About Your Accident

After a car accident, avoid discussing the crash on social media. Anything you post may be used against you by insurance adjusters. Admitting fault or discussing details could impair your claim since Iowa's fault-based insurance system means the at-fault party pays for damages.

Avoid Posting Pictures and Videos

Posting pictures or videos can discredit your injury claim. For instance, a photo of you engaging in physical activity might lead the insurance adjuster to question the severity of your injuries.

Don’t Post Location Check-ins and Status Updates

Checking in at locations or posting status updates can also harm your claim. Insurance adjusters might use this information to argue that you are not as injured as you claim.

The Best Social Media Policy

To protect your claim, avoid social media altogether. Consider temporarily suspending your accounts, or at least set them to private and don’t add new connections. Interact minimally to avoid providing any information that could be used against you.

Seeking Legal Assistance

Seeking legal counsel from experienced Iowa car accident attorneys such as those at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can provide invaluable support in filing insurance claims or pursuing personal injury lawsuits. With a comprehensive understanding of Iowa law, their team can help gather evidence, establish liability, and secure the compensation deserved by accident victims.

Suffering from the aftermath of a car accident shouldn't impede your pursuit of justice and fair compensation. The Iowa injury lawyers at Walker, Billingsley & Bair work hard to level the field between injured Iowans and insurance companies.

That's why we provide this FREE book; The Legal Insider's Guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation. Call 641-792-3595 to order your free accident book today.