Grinnell Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Lives can be unexpectedly disrupted by accidents and injuries. In these tough moments, car accident injury lawyers are essential allies. They represent individuals harmed by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article highlights the critical role these lawyers play, guiding people through their claims and helping them rebuild.

Medial Branch Block Procedure After a Car Accident

Understanding Spinal Injuries Post-Accident

Spinal injuries are among the most severe types of injuries resulting from car accidents, often manifesting as neck or back pain. It's crucial for accident victims to seek medical evaluation even if they don’t feel injured initially. A thorough medical examination can reveal underlying issues that may not be immediately apparent.

Medial Branch Block as a Diagnostic and Treatment Tool

A medial branch block procedure serves as both a diagnostic test and a short-term treatment for back or neck pain following a car accident. This procedure involves targeting the facet joints of the spine, which are major pain sources due to irritation and inflammation.

How the Procedure Works

Medial branch blocks work by temporarily halting or minimizing the pain signals sent from the medial branch nerves to the brain. These nerves communicate pain from inflamed and irritated facet joints, which are responsible for pain in the lower back, mid-back, and neck.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Benefits

If a medial branch block succeeds in reducing pain, it indicates that the facet joints are the pain source, paving the way for a more permanent treatment called radiofrequency ablation. Thus, the procedure not only alleviates pain temporarily but also helps determine the effectiveness of potential long-term solutions.

Recovering Costs for Medial Branch Block Procedures

When filing a car accident claim, it is essential to account for all medical treatments, including medial branch blocks. This ensures that all medical expenses are covered when seeking compensation.

Accounting for All Medical Expenses

A medial branch block is a temporary solution, and additional treatments may be necessary. Accident victims should discuss with their doctors and attorneys about future medical needs to fully account for medical bills and other damages in their claims. This may include missed work, ongoing prescriptions, and further medical treatments such as surgery, physical therapy, or chiropractic care.

Establishing Fault and Damages

To file a successful liability claim, you must establish the at-fault party’s responsibility and document the extent of your damages. Save all medical records, bills, and any other evidence of your injuries and the accident. This documentation is crucial for proving your case.

Utilizing Your Insurance Coverage

If you have medical payments coverage on your policy, it can help pay for medical procedures like a medial branch block, regardless of fault. Additionally, your health insurance may cover medical bills. Ultimately, the most substantial recovery typically comes from a liability claim against the at-fault party, often necessitating an attorney’s assistance.

Lost Wages After a Car Accident

Understanding Compensation for Lost Wages

Under Iowa law, the other driver’s insurance company will not pay lost wages as they incur. Lost wages are included in the total settlement, which covers medical bills, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, and more. Therefore, if you are still off work due to your injuries, it’s premature to discuss settlement offers with the insurance company.

Using Available Coverage

While waiting for a settlement, you may need to use your sick pay, short-term disability, vacation time, or other forms of disability pay. Contact your HR department to understand what coverage is available. Completing required paperwork promptly ensures timely receipt of disability benefits.

Additional Resources for Financial Assistance

Check for disability coverage on your mortgage, car, or other loans, which can help make payments while you are unable to work. If you lack coverage options, you might need to seek help from family, friends, or community resources.

Immediate Compensation Options

In states with Personal Injury Protection (PIP), like Minnesota, you can recover lost wages under your own car insurance policy. However, Iowa does not have mandatory PIP, so other avenues must be explored.

Coverage for Mental Health Therapy

Car Accident Claims and Mental Health Therapy

Injuries from car accidents can be both physical and psychological. When mental health therapy is required, coverage depends on your insurance policy limits and the severity of the injuries.

Insurance Policy Limits

In Iowa, medical payments coverage can pay for all medical expenses, but the limit is often $5,000. For mental health therapy to be covered, expenses must fit within these limits. If the other driver is at fault, their bodily injury liability coverage can cover mental health therapy, subject to policy limits.

Proving the Necessity of Mental Health Treatment

To have mental health therapy covered, you must prove that your psychological injuries are severe enough to warrant treatment. Insurance companies may deny claims if they deem mental health expenses unreasonable compared to the physical injuries sustained.

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.