Missouri Valley Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Sudden accidents and injuries can disrupt lives. During these tough periods, car accident injury lawyers become vital allies. They fight for those injured due to others' carelessness, ensuring just compensation. This article emphasizes the significant role these lawyers play in helping people navigate their claims and restore normalcy.

Recovering Damages for a Broken Tibia from a Car Accident

A car accident resulting in physical injuries can be devastating, expensive, and life-altering for the victim. One of the common injuries from such accidents is a broken tibia. While a broken tibia will eventually heal, the treatment is extensive and costly. This article covers how tibia fractures occur, their diagnosis and treatment, the recovery process, and how to file a claim for damages. Additionally, it addresses accidents involving delivery trucks and alcohol-related accidents where the driver’s BAC was below 0.08.

How Does a Tibia Fracture Happen?

The tibia, or shinbone, is one of two bones in the lower leg. A tibia fracture often occurs during high-energy collisions, such as car crashes. These accidents typically result in comminuted fractures, where the bone shatters into multiple pieces, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Diagnosing a Tibia Fracture

A tibia fracture can sometimes be diagnosed through visible deformity alone, with one leg appearing shorter than the other. However, to confirm the diagnosis, a physical exam and imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are necessary. These tests determine the type and location of the fracture, which is crucial for deciding the appropriate treatment.

Treatment for Tibia Fractures

Treatment varies based on the severity of the fracture and the patient’s overall health. Non-surgical treatments such as splints, casts, and braces are used for clean breaks with minimal bone displacement. Severe fractures may require surgery, which could involve intramedullary nailing, plates and screws, or external fixation.

Several complications can arise, including improper bone alignment, infection, nerve or vein damage, and blood clots. Open fractures, where bone fragments exit the skin, pose a higher risk for infection and may necessitate additional surgeries.

Recovering from a Tibia Fracture

Recovery from a tibia fracture typically takes about four months but can be longer depending on the injury’s severity. Physical therapy is often prescribed, and the patient might be unable to bear weight on the affected leg, impacting daily activities and work.

The recovery period can be mentally and emotionally challenging, especially for those who are active or have physically demanding jobs. Patients may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the accident.

Filing a Claim for Damages

Victims of car accidents can file claims to recover economic damages (medical expenses and lost wages) and noneconomic damages (pain, suffering, emotional trauma). To succeed, the victim must prove the defendant’s negligence caused the accident and that the damages directly resulted from the accident.

In Missouri Valley, the statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years under Iowa Code 614.1. Victims should act promptly to ensure their claims are filed within this period.

Accident with Delivery Truck: Here's What to Do if You're Hit by UPS, FedEx, or Amazon

With the rise in online shopping, delivery trucks are more common on the roads, increasing the risk of accidents. Here’s what to do if you’re involved in an accident with a delivery truck.

Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention

If you sustain injuries in an accident, call 911 immediately. Even if you don’t feel pain at the scene, it’s wise to go to the emergency room as injuries may manifest later.

Take Pictures

If possible, take photographs of the scene and vehicle damage. These can be crucial for your case. Provide an accurate account of the incident to the police, emphasizing the delivery driver’s fault if applicable.

Refuse Recorded Statements

Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters or investigators from the delivery company. They are trained to minimize the company’s liability and may use your words against you later.

Property Damage

If the delivery driver is at fault, you should receive compensation for vehicle repairs or replacement. If your car is totaled, you are entitled to its fair market value plus tax and registration fees.

Personal Injury Settlement

For minor injuries, you might handle the settlement yourself. However, for severe injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery, consult an Iowa car accident attorney. Factors affecting the settlement value include injury severity, medical evidence, hospitalization, surgery, missed work, permanent injuries, and any fault you may share in the accident.

Alcohol-Related Car Accidents: When the Other Driver’s BAC was Below 0.08

In Iowa, drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher are prohibited from operating vehicles. However, drivers with a BAC below 0.08 can still be held liable if their alcohol consumption contributed to the accident.

Understanding Negligence

Liability is based on negligence. If a driver’s actions were not reasonably prudent and caused an accident, they could be held liable regardless of their BAC. Comparative fault laws in Iowa reduce the damages recovered by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.

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.