Epworth Personal Injury Attorneys

What Can an Attorney Do for Your Epworth Injury Case?

Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may or may not need an attorney for your case. Even so, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney and request information, such as a free book, that can help guide you through the process and help you avoid common, costly mistakes.

Choosing the Right Attorney

If you have not yet decided to hire an attorney, it is worth looking at reviews on sites like Avvo and Google, since simply advertising personal injury or workers' compensation services does not mean an attorney handles those cases well. Look for reviews from prior clients that describe their experience, including the results they obtained, so you can be confident you are choosing the right attorney for your case. Keep in mind that reputable firms do not accept every client who calls, since not every case is the right fit for every attorney, and firms that focus on the right clients are often better positioned to deliver strong results.

Tasks an Attorney Handles on Your Behalf

Every case is different, but an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney generally handles a wide range of tasks, often on a contingency basis so there is no upfront risk to you. These tasks can include educating clients about Iowa injury laws, which vary from state to state, and gathering documentary evidence such as police accident reports, medical records, and bills. An attorney may also hire an investigator to interview and locate witnesses, collect photographs of the vehicles and accident scene, and analyze legal issues like comparative fault and assumption of the risk.

An attorney will also communicate with your physicians to obtain written reports supporting your case, review your insurance policy to identify coverage that may help pay medical bills while your claim is pending, and evaluate the validity of any liens asserted by doctors, insurance companies, or employers. If a lawsuit becomes necessary, your attorney prepares you, witnesses, and healthcare providers for depositions, drafts a demand package in an attempt to settle the case, prepares for mediation, and if needed, prepares exhibits and takes the case through trial. Afterward, your attorney can review the verdict and advise you on whether there are good grounds for an appeal.

Can You Trust the Insurance Company in Your Epworth Injury Case?

There are more than 100 insurance companies selling policies in Iowa alone, covering everything from personal injury to workers' compensation. While people generally buy insurance to protect themselves against future loss, paying a premium does not mean the insurance company is looking out for you. Some people mistakenly believe their own insurance company will pursue a claim against the other party on their behalf, but this is not true. While your insurer may try to recover what it paid for property damage, it is highly unlikely to pursue a claim for your personal injuries.

What to Know About Insurance Companies

When dealing with another party's insurance company, whether it is the insurer for a driver who injured you or the workers' compensation carrier for your employer, there are important things to keep in mind. The insurance company is not representing you or your best interests, and it is not required to tell you the truth. Insurance companies are in the business of making a profit, which means paying out as little as possible on claims. An adjuster may seem friendly, but that does not mean they are looking out for you, since insurance companies generally do not like paying claims.

Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Company

Always tell the truth, since anything you say can be used against you by the insurance company and its lawyers, and even a small inconsistency can damage your credibility. Be careful what you say to an adjuster, since insurance companies employ professionals to work these claims, which is one reason it can help to have a professional working on your side as well. Keeping documentation is also important. A diary or journal describing how you feel can help prove the extent of your damages, and you should keep doctors' excuses for missed work along with records of time missed for medical appointments. Review and retain any medical bills or explanation of benefits forms you receive from your health insurance company.

Be thorough at your medical appointments, since the records generated during these visits, including your description of how you were injured, your complaints, and your treatment, are central to how an insurance company evaluates your claim. If you do not tell your doctor everything that hurts, it will not be properly treated or documented, and if you begin complaining about a problem weeks or months later, the insurance company will likely argue it was unrelated to the accident. Finally, attend medical appointments regularly, since failing to see a physician is often treated as evidence that you have fully recovered, both by the insurance company and potentially by a judge or jury later on.

Staying Safe as a Pedestrian in Epworth

As the weather warms and more people spend time outdoors, drivers need to watch closely for pedestrians crossing the street, particularly at night. Pedestrians should also do their part to remain visible to drivers at all times and should avoid wearing dark clothing after dark to prevent blending into their surroundings.

How Epworth Pedestrians Can Protect Themselves

As a pedestrian, you should never assume a driver sees you, since you have no way of knowing whether the driver is paying attention or is distracted. Even when standing at a crosswalk or a stop sign waiting to cross, this does not guarantee that a car will actually stop. Make eye contact with the driver before stepping in front of their vehicle, and always make sure you have enough time to cross safely. Never attempt to cross the street in the middle of a block; instead, go to the next intersection. Parked cars along the side of the road can hide you from a driver's view until it is too late, and most drivers are not watching as closely for pedestrians in the middle of a block as they are at intersections. If you encounter a walk signal, you are generally safe to cross in the direction indicated, and if you are struck by a car while crossing during a walk signal at a crosswalk, the driver is most likely at fault.

How Epworth Drivers Can Help Prevent Pedestrian Accidents

As a driver, you have a duty to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, and failing to do so may be considered negligence. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians crossing at the proper time and to sound their horn as a warning when necessary. If a pedestrian crosses during a yellow or red light and is struck, the pedestrian may be considered at fault, since it is their duty to yield to vehicles in that situation. Distracted driving, including talking on a cell phone or texting, increases the risk to pedestrians, which is another reason drivers need to stay alert and attentive at all times.