Audubon Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Lives can be instantly upended by accidents and injuries. In such challenging times, car accident injury lawyers become crucial allies. They advocate for those injured due to others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article underscores the vital function these lawyers serve in assisting individuals with their claims and restoring normalcy.

Medial Branch Block Procedure After a Car Accident in Iowa

Spinal injuries are among the most severe types of injuries that can result from a car accident. These injuries can manifest as neck or back pain, which victims often experience in the aftermath of a wreck. Even if you don’t immediately feel injured, it’s crucial to seek a medical evaluation.

A doctor will perform various exams and tests to diagnose the problem and may recommend treatment solutions, including a medial branch block procedure, which serves both as a diagnostic test and a short-term treatment.

Medial Branch Block Procedure: Diagnostic and Treatment Tool

When seeking medical treatment for back or neck pain following a car accident, your doctor might suggest a medial branch nerve block as part of your care plan. This procedure targets the facet joints of the spine, reducing irritation and inflammation, which are major causes of pain.

Medial branch blocks temporarily halt or minimize pain signals sent from the medial branch nerves to the brain. These nerves communicate between inflamed facet joints and the brain, often causing lower back, mid-back, and neck pain. If successful in pain relief, this procedure can indicate that a longer-term solution, such as radiofrequency ablation, might be effective.

Recovering Costs for a Medial Branch Block Procedure

A medial branch nerve block provides temporary relief, so it’s important to consider long-term medical treatment when filing a car accident claim. If this procedure is part of your initial care, discuss with your doctor and attorney any further treatments you might need. This will help ensure that your medical bills and other damages are fully accounted for in your claim.

If you’ve suffered back or neck pain due to an accident caused by someone else, you can file a liability claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. You must establish fault and document the extent of your damages, keeping all medical records, bills, and other evidence.

Appropriate coverage, like medical payments coverage on your policy, can help you recover no-fault benefits from your insurer. This can assist with paying for medical care, such as a medial branch block procedure, regardless of who caused the accident. Additionally, health insurance may help cover medical bills.

Passenger Rights and Compensation in Car Accidents

Many car accident injuries in Iowa involve passengers, who may be uncertain about the compensation they deserve. The at-fault party could be the driver of the vehicle they were riding in, another driver, or multiple drivers. There are special considerations in these cases that differ from typical Iowa car accident cases.

Understanding Your Rights as a Passenger

Assuming you were not negligent (e.g., causing the accident by grabbing the steering wheel), you should not be assessed fault, unless you were not wearing a seatbelt, which could reduce your compensation.

Iowa law requires a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in insurance coverage. If the at-fault driver only has the minimum policy limits, there may not be enough coverage for your injuries, especially if they are severe.

Sources of Compensation

1. The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance: If the driver of the vehicle you were in is at fault and their insurance is insufficient, you can look to your own car insurance policy. Iowa law mandates that insurance companies offer underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), which protects you if the at-fault driver’s insurance is inadequate.

2. Another Vehicle is At Fault: If another driver is at fault, you first seek compensation from their insurance. If their coverage is insufficient, the UIM coverage from the vehicle you were in or your own policy can provide additional compensation.

3. Both Drivers at Fault: If both drivers are at fault, you can claim under both drivers’ liability policies. If your injuries exceed their combined coverage, you may still be covered under a UIM policy.

Potential Pitfalls

If you settle with the at-fault driver’s insurance without following proper procedures set in the UIM policy, you might forfeit additional compensation. It’s crucial to know who is paying your medical bills and ensure all settlements are documented in writing.

Important Steps and Legal Considerations After an Iowa Car Accident

What to Do After a Car Accident

1. Seek Medical Attention: Ensure everyone receives necessary medical care.
2. Call the Police: Report the accident.
3. Be Cautious When Speaking to Police: Only provide necessary information.
4. Gather Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and note details of the incident and your recovery.

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.