Estherville Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Lives can be instantly disrupted by accidents and injuries. During these tough periods, car accident injury lawyers are critical allies. They advocate for those harmed by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article highlights the essential role these lawyers play in guiding people through their claims and restoring normalcy.

Do My Medical Bills Have to Exceed a Certain Amount Before the Insurance Company Pays for a Car Accident?

If you sustained injuries in an Iowa car accident, your medical bills do not have to exceed a certain amount before the insurance company pays. When filing your insurance claim, be sure to submit all of your medical expenses and demand that you get reimbursed. If negotiating with insurance companies is not your strong suit, a qualified Iowa personal injury lawyer can act on your behalf to help you recover compensation for your injuries.

An insurance adjuster may try to separate your medical expenses into a diagnostic category and a treatment category. Diagnostics includes your emergency care, any tests run to diagnose your problem, and specialist visits, while treatment includes medication, surgery, physical therapy, and routine doctor visits.

The reason why the adjuster will try to reject part of your insurance claim is that the amount of general damages (i.e., pain and suffering, diminished quality of life) is based on your special damages (medical expenses). By reducing the amount of your special damages, the adjuster can save the company money on your total car accident claim.

Many times, the adjuster will argue that only your treatment expenses are related to the severity of your injury; however, remember that you cannot get the treatment you need without the proper diagnosis. Therefore, diagnostics are just as important as treatment.

Submitting an insurance claim can be a complicated process. A qualified Iowa personal injury lawyer can help you determine the value of your injuries and submit the proper medical files and paperwork to back up your insurance claim.

What Will the End of Summer Bring? Dangers of Summer Accidents!

As we wrap up yet another summer, the busy summer vacation and travel season is winding down. We hope that you and your family have had a safe and accident-free summer.

Did you know that historically August has the most car accident fatalities of any month? Not surprisingly, May through October have the highest number of vehicle miles traveled each year and also the highest number of injury car accidents. If you, a family member, or a friend have been injured in a car accident, how do you know if you need an attorney or not? Yes, there are some cases where you do not need an attorney involved who will take a percentage of your recovery.

The following are four common signals that you will need an attorney:

1. You were transported by ambulance to the hospital.
   While it is not required to prove that you were injured, if you were transported by an ambulance to the hospital then your injuries may be more serious. This is especially true if you were transported and then admitted to the hospital for your injuries.

2. You were taken off work for one week or more.
   If your injuries were serious enough that you had to miss one or more weeks of work, then this is another indication that at the very least you should speak with a well-qualified and respected Iowa car accident attorney.

3. You have symptoms and problems that have lasted for one month or longer.
   If your car crash-related problems have lasted one month or longer, this is an indication that your injuries may be serious. Serious injuries require serious legal help so that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

4. You sustained fractures, required surgery, were knocked unconscious, or you were diagnosed with a concussion.
   These are all serious injuries which can cause you a lifetime of pain and problems. Under Iowa law, you are to be compensated for your loss of quality of life, physical and emotional pain, loss of full mind and body, etc. While you can try to handle a serious injury case on your own, keep in mind that insurance adjustors are trained to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and they are not required to tell you the truth about Iowa laws, your rights, or your responsibilities. 

What If the Other Driver Only Has $20,000 in Insurance Coverage?

What happens if the other driver only has $20,000 in insurance coverage which does not even cover your medical bills? What is the process to bring a UIM (underinsured motorist) claim? If you have questions like these, we are happy to speak with you, your family, or friends. 

Torn Tendon in Car Accident: Common Types and How It Impacts a Claim

A torn tendon is one type of injury that Iowa drivers might suffer in a car accident. These soft, band-like tissues connect the muscles to the bone. A stretched tendon can result in a partial or complete tear and may impair movement. Injured drivers might face medical bills, lost or reduced wages during recovery, and other damages.

Joints most often affected by a torn tendon from a car accident are:
- Shoulders: This can include a tear in the bicep or rotator cuff. Both can occur when the person extends his or her arm, such as to brace for impact. A rotator cuff tear can also occur with another injury; for instance, a dislocated shoulder or broken collarbone. A rotator cuff tear is also a common cause of disability.
- Ankles: The tearing of a tendon in the ankle can affect mobility. This can happen when there is sudden impact to the legs in a car crash.
- Knees: Torn tendons in the knees include the patellar tendon (which some refer to as the patellar ligament because it actually connects bone to bone instead of muscle to bone). A tear to the patellar tendon is oftentimes disabling. It requires a strong force to tear this tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone.

Signs of a Torn Tendon
- Bruising
- Popping or snapping sound
- Numbness or weakness
- Difficulty with movement
- Pain which may worsen with movement

Treating a Torn Tendon
A torn tendon may heal over time without surgical intervention. This is more likely with a partial tear. Nonsurgical treatment could include ice packs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These help relieve pain and reduce swelling. If this doesn’t work, sometimes the individual needs a steroid injection.

The injured person will likely have to rest during healing and recovery. This could include not working for a time, which can affect wages. The patient may start physical therapy after the swelling has gone down.

Sometimes a torn tendon requires surgery to restore movement. After surgery, the individual may need a cast, splint, or sling for support. Many patients require some form of rehabilitation. In general, recovery is longer if surgery is required.

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.