Ankeny Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Accidents and injuries can unexpectedly derail lives. In these difficult moments, Ankeny personal injury lawyers become invaluable allies. They specialize in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence of others, ensuring they obtain fair compensation. This article explores the essential role Ankeny personal injury lawyers play, navigating individuals through the intricacies of their claims and helping them rebuild their lives.

Does My Car Accident Claim Cover Mental Health Therapy?

Injuries sustained in a car accident aren’t always physical. Often, the psychological impact of an accident can be just as debilitating as physical injuries. When psychological therapy is required to treat injuries after a car accident, a policyholder may wonder whether or not a car insurance company will cover therapy or a psychiatrist. Here’s what you need to know:

It Depends on the Policy Amount

Your insurance company is only liable for paying damages up to your policy amount. In Iowa, medical payments coverage—if you have it—will pay for all medical expenses up to the limit, which is typically $5,000. Often, physical injuries alone are enough to exhaust this amount.

If the accident was the fault of the other driver, then that driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, which is required in a minimum amount of $20,000 per person, can pay for mental health therapy.

The Extent of Your Injuries and the Severity of the Accident

Assuming that the policy amount is sufficient to cover the expense of mental health injuries, an insurance company most likely will pay for those expenses if they are reasonable given the severity of the accident and the seriousness of your physical injuries. If mental health injuries appear too extreme relative to the accident or physical injuries, the insurance company may deny this part of the claim.

Other Options for Getting Mental Health Therapy Paid For

If an insurance company refuses to pay for mental health therapy or if injuries are so severe that filing a claim with the insurance company will not yield enough damages, you have another option: You can file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. A personal injury lawsuit can yield damages for all forms of medical expenses, as well as for mental and emotional suffering. In Iowa, a claim must be filed within two years under Iowa Code 614.1.

How an Attorney Can Help Recover Damages for Mental Health Costs

If you’re filing a claim with an insurance company, you’ll need to prove that your mental health injuries are significant enough to require treatment and that the insurance company should be responsible for paying for this expense. During this negotiation process, an attorney can be a key asset.

Personal Injury Claims & Insurance Fraud Investigators

When filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to be aware that an insurance fraud investigator may start examining the case to check for any fraudulent activity. After suffering injuries in an accident, one should contact a personal injury attorney to help file the injury claim against the party responsible for the accident and address any accusations of fraudulent activity.

Types of Surveillance After Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Insurance fraud investigators often monitor claimants to look for signs that they are exaggerating their injuries and limitations. Common surveillance methods include:

- Monitoring social media posts
- Following the claimant’s daily activities
- Collecting surveillance footage from the scene of the accident
- Obtaining statements from the claimant's close friends, employers, and co-workers

There are many cases where this surveillance is misconstrued or improperly embellished by the insurance company to make it seem as if the claimant isn’t as injured as they claim. For example, if the claimant posts on social media that they are feeling fine despite a serious injury, this can be taken out of context and used against them.

What It Means to Have a Ruptured Disc After a Car Accident

Serious car accidents often leave those involved with severe injuries, such as ruptured or herniated discs. The location and symptoms of a ruptured disc may vary, and treatment is available in many forms. If you have injured your back in a car accident, the following information can help determine whether you may have suffered a ruptured disc.

Location of Intervertebral Discs

The spine consists of 24 vertebrae aligned atop each other, protecting the spinal cord. Between these bones are gelatinous discs, known as intervertebral discs, which act as cushions. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), these discs are filled with a jelly-like center, known as the nucleus pulposus, surrounded by a thicker outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus.

If physical trauma, such as the impact from a serious car accident, occurs, an intervertebral disc may rupture, causing the nucleus to push towards the outer ring and, in severe cases, squeeze entirely through.

Nerve Damage and Other Symptoms of a Ruptured Disc

If the nucleus of an intervertebral disc pushes outwards through the outer ring, it may put pressure on the spinal nerves. If the nucleus passes through the outer ring, the nerve damage may become more severe, often limiting movement.

Symptoms of a ruptured disc may include pain or numbness in affected body parts. For example, a ruptured disc in the neck can cause pain and numbness in the shoulders, arms, or chest, while a ruptured disc in the lower back might cause sciatica or pain in the buttocks, legs, ankles, and feet.

How a Doctor Diagnoses a Ruptured Disc

To diagnose a ruptured disc, a doctor may perform a neurological examination, testing for sensory loss and weakness, or a straight leg raise (SLR) test. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or computed tomography (CT) scan for further diagnosis.

We Are Here To Help

Remember, you are not alone in recovering from your injuries. We have helped thousands of Iowans through their physical, emotional, and financial recoveries. If you have questions about what you are going through, feel free to call our office for your confidential injury conference. We will take the time to listen to you and give you our advice concerning your injury matter at no cost or risk to you.

Free Book at No Cost 

If you are not ready to speak with an attorney yet but would like to learn more about Iowa injury cases including tips about how you can avoid making common costly mistakes request a copy of our Iowa Personal Injury book which includes 14 myths about Iowa injury cases and 5 things to know before hiring an attorney.

If you have specific questions about your injury matter feel free to call our office to speak with our Injury team at 641-792-3595 or use our Chat feature by clicking here 24 hours a day/7 days per week. Your information will remain confidential and there is no cost or obligation.