Sumner Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Lives can be instantly upended by accidents and injuries. During these difficult periods, car accident injury lawyers become crucial allies. They advocate for those injured by others' negligence, ensuring fair compensation. This article underscores the essential role these lawyers play in assisting individuals with their claims and restoring normalcy.

How to Handle Your Spouse's Injury

Few things are scarier than receiving a call that a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Iowa. Even after the initial scare of not knowing if the person is OK and will make it, stress and anxiety levels can skyrocket. This is especially true if the person injured is your spouse and the primary breadwinner of the family.

If this has happened to you, you are most likely faced with questions like:

- How are we going to pay the medical bills?
- What is going to happen to her job?
- How will we put food on the table?
- Who is going to help me with the kids?
- How am I going to be able to care for her after she is out of the hospital?

In order to give your spouse the best chance at a full recovery and also to protect your family’s legal rights, here are some important steps to take:

1. Get your wife the medical treatment that she needs, making sure to follow all of the doctor’s orders.
2. Find out the insurance coverage of the at-fault party’s insurance to see if there is enough to cover the cost of the medical bills.
3. Find out how much uninsured and underinsured coverage you have on your own policy, in the event that the at-fault party does not have enough.
4. Utilize the medical payments coverage on your policy. This money will help cover the costs of co-pays, prescriptions, medical supplies, and any other out-of-pocket medical expenses.
5. Request that your wife’s doctor put in writing the amount of time she is being kept off of work for when it comes time to calculate and prove lost wages.
6. Do not sign anything without first reviewing it with an attorney, especially if they are documents provided by the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Understanding Lumbar Strain Injuries After a Car Accident in Iowa

When car accidents occur, injuries often follow, with back injuries being particularly common. Among them, lumbar strain injuries are frequently observed, typically caused by sudden stopping or impact with another object or vehicle. Lumbar strain can result in severe lower back pain, leading to significant impairment in daily activities and work performance.

What is a Lumbar Strain Injury?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a lumbar strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons, whereas a sprain refers to ligament stretching. The most notable symptom of a lumbar strain injury is intense localized pain that can be debilitating. In some cases, muscle tearing may also lead to inflammation, back spasms, and heightened pain.

Causes of a Lumbar Strain Injury

Direct trauma to the back, such as in a car accident, often triggers back injuries. These injuries occur when the muscles or tendons in the lower back experience twisting, pulling, or tearing due to trauma.

Treatment Options

Back injuries are known for causing significant pain and restricting the range of motion. Depending on the duration of the injury, it can be classified as acute or chronic. Treating these injuries may require weeks or even months of therapy. Common treatment options include pain medications, massage therapy, and physical therapy. During the healing period, individuals may face difficulties returning to work or performing their regular activities.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Car Accident that Caused a Back Injury?

If you've suffered an injury or experience lower back pain such as muscle spasms following a car accident in Iowa, it's crucial to know that Iowa follows an "at-fault" system for car insurance liability. This means that if another driver caused the accident, including your lumbar strain injury, their insurance should cover your damages. In case the insurance settlement does not provide adequate compensation, you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. To hold the other driver responsible, you'll need to prove their negligence. According to the Iowa Code 614.1, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury case in Iowa is two years from the date of the injury. Seeking the guidance of an attorney can assist you in navigating the process of filing a lawsuit and pursuing the damages you deserve.

Back injuries resulting from car accidents can have a severe impact on your well-being and daily life. Recognizing the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options is crucial for effective recovery. If you've experienced a back injury in Iowa due to another driver's negligence, understanding your legal rights and the possibility of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can help ensure you receive the compensation you need. Don't hesitate to consult with an attorney for expert guidance in your case.

Four Types of Car Insurance Every Iowa Motorist Should Have

Carrying adequate car insurance is a serious issue for drivers. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation. These accidents can result in serious injuries, property damage, and high costs. By carrying adequate protection, including uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, medical payment coverage, and GAP insurance, drivers can plan for both foreseen and unforeseen accident costs.

Four Types of Optional Car Insurance Coverage

While most drivers carry liability insurance to protect them if they cause an accident – it's required by Iowa law – there are four different types of insurance that drivers might not be aware of. However, they're important and can help when victims suffer injuries or damages in an accident.

It’s important to consider this insurance in addition to liability insurance because a car accident can lead to significant financial burdens. Medical bills, even for common injuries like whiplash or broken bones, can run into the thousands of dollars. Carrying these types of insurance can help drivers avoid paying out of pocket for those costly bills.

1. Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage protects the policyholder in the event he or she is in an accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver. The insurance pays the policyholder for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses up to the coverage limits. Uninsured motorist insurance covers damages according to the policyholder's proportion of fault. For example, if a policyholder was 15 percent at fault in a $100,000 damages case, the insurance would pay $85,000.

The Insurance Research Council estimates that in 2012, 9.7 percent of Iowa drivers were without insurance, so there's a risk of getting into an accident with an uninsured driver.

2. Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage protects drivers if they're in an accident and the at-fault driver's liability insurance doesn't cover the costs of the accident. The minimum liability insurance coverage required to drive in Iowa is $20,000 for injuries to one person, $40,000 for injuries in a single accident, and $15,000 for property damage. In serious accidents, the costs to the not-at-fault driver can quickly rise above these minimums.

3. Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical payments insurance covers medical expenses for everyone in the car and covers the policyholder in other situations as well, regardless of fault in the accident. For many people, medical payments coverage can seem redundant because they have health insurance, but this type of insurance can pay for expenses not covered by health insurance. For example, health insurance might require a deductible and co-pays. Medical payments coverage can help meet these costs.

4. GAP Insurance

GAP stands for general auto protection, and it covers the difference between the market value of a car and the amount the policyholder owes to the lender on a car loan. If a car is totaled, liability insurance only pays the market value of the car. For people who drive a lot, do not have money for a down payment, or drive a highly depreciating car, this coverage can be important after an accident.

Iowa Insurance Requirements

Under Iowa law, all insurance companies that offer liability insurance are required to offer uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. Drivers have to sign a waiver explaining that they want to opt out of the coverage if that's their desire. There are no requirements to offer medical payments or GAP insurance, but many insurance companies have those policies.

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.