Story City Personal Injury Attorneys

Sudden accidents and injuries can significantly disrupt lives. In such trying moments, personal injury lawyers are crucial. They focus on representing those harmed by others' negligence, helping them obtain rightful compensation. This article examines the important role personal injury lawyers play in navigating claims and aiding in recovery.

Common Tactics and Defenses Insurance Adjuster Use in Personal Injury Cases

A personal injury lawyer knows insurance adjuster tactics used to deny, discredit, or delay your personal injury claim. For advice on defenses you can use to deal with nefarious insurance company practices, speak with an Iowa personal injury lawyer.

Common Insurance Adjuster Tactics

- Accessing Your Medical Records: While on the surface granting the insurer access to your medical records may seem justified, it is yet another trick used to undermine your claim. The medical records surrounding the accident are not the only ones the insurance adjuster will have access to – he or she can access your entire medical history. This includes any doctor you have ever seen, any condition you may have had treated, as well as any physical or mental illness you have ever suffered from. Although such details may seem irrelevant to your accident, the insurer is looking for any way to minimize your claim.
- Offering a Quick, Low-Ball Offer: Insurance adjusters understand that you may be desperate for compensation of any kind and may offer you a small settlement to close the case shortly after the accident. They will ask you to sign a full release, which means that if your medical condition worsens, you will not be entitled to additional compensation.
- Placing You Under Surveillance: Catching you performing daily tasks, such as taking out the garbage or mowing your lawn, could damage your claim. It is easy to make someone appear healthy out of context, and this type of evidence could be used to initiate an insurance fraud case against you.
- Discouraging You from Hiring a Lawyer: Adjusters may try to persuade you to not seek legal counsel. They may promise fairness in dealing with your personal injury claim. The truth is that they know that once an attorney is involved, these tactics will not achieve their goals.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Shady Insurance Adjuster Tactics

Being aware of your rights and educating yourself as much as possible will help you navigate the personal injury claims process. Otherwise, if your insurance adjuster:

- Denies Your Claim Outright or Misinforms You About Your Insurance Policy Coverage: Evaluate your original insurance policy agreement carefully. If you cannot locate this document, insist upon having the policy submitted to you in writing. If the adjuster refuses, contact an attorney.
- Asks You to Authorize the Release of Your Medical Records: You have the right of refusal. Once you initiate the personal injury claim, only medical documents pertaining to the accident will be provided.
- Places You Under Surveillance: You may not know. It is always best to assume you are being observed. Heed your doctor’s advice and do not attempt to complete daily tasks without assistance.
- Offers You a Low Settlement: Don’t be tempted to take a quick payment. Often this amount will not cover the total costs of your injury. Be mindful and have a reasonable compensation amount in mind before negotiating. Do not sign any agreements before consulting a lawyer.

Rules of Driving on the Road When a Pedestrian is Present

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year about 70,000 pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle accidents on the roads and highways of the United States. Despite the presence of well-established laws for pedestrians and motorists, many of these accidents happen because of ignorance about the rules of driving on the road around pedestrians.

Iowa Rules of the Road Around Pedestrians

Apart from the general Iowa traffic laws, the Iowa Department of Transportation also lays down laws for motorists specifically for situations where a pedestrian is present. The burden of responsibility lies heavily on the motorist in situations like this, as his or her vehicle has the capacity to seriously injure a pedestrian if piloted incorrectly.

According to these laws, a motorist has to give the right of way to pedestrians when the former is entering or leaving a:

- Driveway
- Parking Lot
- Alley

They must also give right of way to pedestrians when the latter are crossing at an intersection either on a marked or an unmarked crosswalk when there are no traffic signals.

A motorist in Iowa is also expected to exercise special precaution when driving through:

- Residential Areas
- In the Vicinity of a School
- Near Shopping Centers
- In Parking Lots
- In Congested Areas

We Are Here To Help

Remember, you are not alone in recovering from your injuries. We have helped thousands of Iowans through their physical, emotional, and financial recoveries. If you have questions about what you are going through, feel free to call our office for your confidential injury conference. We will take the time to listen to you and give you our advice concerning your injury matter at no cost or risk to you.

Free Book at No Cost 

If you are not ready to speak with an attorney yet but would like to learn more about Iowa injury cases including tips about how you can avoid making common costly mistakes request a copy of our Iowa Personal Injury book which includes 14 myths about Iowa injury cases and 5 things to know before hiring an attorney.

If you have specific questions about your injury matter feel free to call our office to speak with our Injury team at 641-792-3595 or use our Chat feature by clicking here 24 hours a day/7 days per week. Your information will remain confidential and there is no cost or obligation.