Sigourney Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Accidents and injuries can suddenly derail lives. During these tough times, car accident injury lawyers are essential allies. They advocate for individuals harmed by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article highlights the critical role these lawyers play in helping people navigate their claims and rebuild their lives.

Car accidents often result in various injuries, with knee trauma being particularly common. This injury is usually caused by the knee being forced towards the front of the vehicle (dashboard), crushed, twisted, or coming into contact with another object. Severe knee injuries from car accidents can be debilitating and expensive to treat. Here are some of the most common knee injuries resulting from car accidents, how they occur, and what to do if you're affected.

Types of Knee Injuries

Knee Sprains and Strains

Knee sprains and strains are among the less severe types of knee injuries but can still be very painful and debilitating. These are soft tissue injuries. A sprain involves stretching or tearing a ligament, whereas a strain involves injury to a muscle or tendon. While a grade-three sprain can render the joint nonfunctional and may require intensive medical intervention, most sprains and strains can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation).

MCL Injury

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) stabilizes the inner knee. An MCL injury occurs when the knee is forcefully twisted to an unnatural position. Some MCL injuries may heal on their own over approximately six weeks, while others will require surgery and rehabilitative therapy.

ACL Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses over the front of the knee joint. Most ACL injuries are complete or nearly complete tears. Often, surgical reconstruction is required to correct the damage.

PCL Injury

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest ligament in the knee and the least likely to sustain an injury. However, in a car accident, the PCL can be stretched or torn, often due to a direct blow to the knee, such as coming into forceful contact with a vehicle door or dashboard. Such injuries commonly occur in rear-end accidents involving a very heavy vehicle, like a truck.

Recovering Compensation for a Knee Injury

Severe knee injuries are costly to treat and can leave the victim unable to walk, perform regular activities, or work for an extended period. Filing a car accident claim or lawsuit can help provide compensation for the damages.

Preserving the Evidence in Your Iowa Car Accident Claim

Preserving evidence is crucial when pursuing an Iowa car accident claim to recover financial and other damages caused by the accident. Acting quickly and working with an Iowa injury attorney can prevent evidence from being destroyed, tampered with, or lost.

Steps to Preserve Evidence

If medical attention is required at the crash scene, there may be little the victim can do immediately to preserve evidence. In such cases, victims may return to the scene of the accident later. Witnesses who live or work nearby may be able to provide statements. Physical evidence, such as skid marks, can also be helpful in reconstructing the events of the accident.

Victims can also ask a trusted family member or friend to collect evidence immediately after the crash. An Iowa injury attorney can also assist in gathering and evaluating evidence quickly.

Types of Evidence to Preserv

- Vehicles: Take photos at the scene of the accident from multiple angles. Preserve the vehicles involved to prevent them from being scrapped or destroyed.
- Witness Statements: Obtain contact information and statements from witnesses.
- Accident Reconstruction: If there is confusion about what caused the crash, an accident reconstruction expert can help by preserving debris, broken pieces from the vehicles, glass, tire marks, and other types of evidence.
- Documentation: Keep all relevant records, receipts, or physical objects related to the crash.

End of Summer Dangers and Car Accidents

As summer winds down, the busy travel season also ends, but the risk of car accidents remains high. Historically, August has the most car accident fatalities, and May through October sees the highest number of vehicle miles traveled and injury car accidents.

When to Consider Hiring an Attorney

Here are four common indicators that you may need an attorney:
1. Transported by Ambulance: If you were transported by an ambulance to the hospital, your injuries might be more serious, warranting legal help.
2. Taken Off Work for a Week or More: Missing a week or more of work due to injuries is another sign you may need to consult an attorney.
3. Symptoms Lasting a Month or Longer: Persistent symptoms indicate serious injuries that require serious legal help.
4. Severe Injuries: Fractures, surgeries, unconsciousness, or concussions are all serious injuries that justify seeking legal assistance.

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.