Cascade Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Unexpected accidents and injuries can alter lives. During these challenging periods, car accident injury lawyers are critical allies. They support those harmed by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article highlights the vital role these lawyers play in guiding individuals through their claims and rebuilding their lives.

Understanding Your Options for Compensation after a Bicycle Accident Hit and Run in Iowa

Bicycle accidents, particularly hit-and-run incidents, are distressingly common and pose significant challenges for victims seeking compensation. National statistics reveal over 800 pedalcyclists died in accidents in 2015, with numerous cases involving drivers fleeing the scene. These irresponsible acts, often committed by those driving under the influence or without a license, complicate the recovery of financial damages for the injured bicyclist. 

Finding the Driver Responsible for Your Accident

If you’ve been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, don’t assume that all is lost. Drivers with a conscience may return to the scene or turn themselves in, and law enforcement efforts can sometimes successfully identify the driver using evidence such as traffic or surveillance camera footage and eyewitness testimonies. Publicizing your incident through local news can also prompt viewers to provide tips that aid law enforcement. Once identified, the driver faces criminal charges, and you can file a claim with their insurer or sue them directly for your injuries.

Obtaining Compensation after a Hit-and-Run Bike Accident

If the driver is identified or found by the police after fleeing, you can file a claim with their insurance company to cover your damages. If not, your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may cover your damages. UM/UIM coverage applies in cases where:
- The driver doesn’t have insurance.
- The driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages.
- The driver flees the scene.

This coverage often extends to traffic accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists. Not all auto policies include UM/UIM, as it is optional in Iowa, but if you have it, the minimum coverage is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. Verify your coverage with your insurance agent to understand what is included.

Iowa Pedestrian Law and Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are a significant concern, with over 4,000 pedestrians killed and tens of thousands injured annually in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Understanding pedestrian laws in Iowa can help prevent accidents and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

The Pedestrian Laws in Iowa

In Iowa, traffic laws require pedestrians to obey the rules of the road and traffic control signals. Pedestrians have the right of way at intersections without traffic lights and when using crosswalks, marked or unmarked. Motorists must yield to pedestrians when entering or leaving a driveway, parking lot, or alley. However, pedestrians should exercise caution and never assume a vehicle will stop even if the law mandates it.

When crossing a road at any point other than an intersection without marked or unmarked crosswalks, pedestrians must yield to motorists and cyclists. Pedestrians should walk on the left side, facing oncoming traffic when there is no sidewalk. Hitchhiking on the roadway is prohibited, though soliciting a ride from a safe, non-roadway area is permitted.

Filing a Claim for a Head Injury from a Bicycle Accident

Bicyclists are at high risk for head injuries, especially if they do not wear helmets. Victims and their loved ones may feel overwhelmed by the process of filing an injury claim. Here’s a guide to understanding the claims process, the damages you may be entitled to, and the next steps to take.

Determining Liability

The first step in the claims process is determining who is responsible for the injury. In Iowa, the at-fault party’s insurance is liable for damages. The motor vehicle driver involved in a bike accident is typically at fault. To prove liability, you can use:
- Police reports
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Witness testimonies

You must also prove that your head injury resulted directly from the accident.

Calculating Damages

The insurance adjuster will determine the settlement amount based on the extent of your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and the need for bike replacement. If you were partially at fault, your compensation might be reduced. For instance, if you lacked mandatory rear bicycle lights, the driver might claim contributory negligence.

Seeking Adequate Compensation

If the offered settlement is insufficient, you can negotiate for a higher amount or file a claim against the at-fault driver in civil court. Ensure to file your claim within two years, as per Iowa Code section 614.1. Brain injuries can incur significant costs, making a civil suit necessary for full compensation.

When a Car Accident in Iowa Leads to Disfigurement

Severe car accidents can result in disfiguring injuries, leading to immediate treatment needs and long-term implications. An Iowa injury law firm can evaluate your case and determine your next steps while you focus on healing.

Types of Disfiguring Injuries

Disfiguring injuries from serious car accidents can include:
- Loss of limb
- Burns with permanent scarring
- Facial scarring or loss of facial features

These injuries impact various aspects of life, including the ability to socialize, work, and perform daily activities. Emotional trauma often accompanies physical injuries, necessitating psychological counseling.

Compensation for Disfiguring Injuries

Compensation may cover medical care, lost income, and psychological support. Burn injuries, for instance, require extensive hospital stays, surgeries, skin grafting, and long-term medication. Emotional damages, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, may also require counseling, adding to medical expenses.

Traumatic Amputations

Traumatic amputations resulting in permanent loss of a limb may require prosthetics and significant adjustments, affecting mobility and employability. Facial injuries may necessitate multiple surgeries, orthodontic care, and potentially leave permanent scars, requiring emotional support.

Who Should Pay My Medical Bills after My Car Accident?

One of the most common questions after a car accident is about who should pay the medical bills. Misinformation often leads to confusion and stress.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

The other driver’s insurance adjuster may request your medical bills but rarely pays them as they incur. They might pressure you to settle your claim for less than fair value, causing financial stress. Here’s what you should know:

Sources for Paying Medical Bills

1. Health Insurance: Your health insurance, obtained through employment or individually, should cover your medical bills, even if it's a car accident.
2. Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage under your auto insurance can range from $1,000 to $100,000 and is used to cover co-pays and deductibles. Using it should not affect your premiums if you’re not at fault.
3. No Health Insurance: Contact the medical provider for possible write-offs or seek assistance from local charities, churches, or family and friends.

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.