In this article, you can discover…
- The types of injury that qualify for a personal injury claim in Iowa.
- How your liability for an accident can impact your personal injury claim.
- Why it’s best to allow a personal injury attorney to review and guide your case.
Myth # 1: You Need To Be Severely Injured To File A Personal Injury Claim
You do not need to be seriously injured to file a personal injury claim. Even a moderate injury that results in medical bills or has an impact on your life can warrant a claim. While the severity of your injury will impact the amount of compensation you can recover, it is still worthwhile to speak with a personal injury attorney in the aftermath of an accident.
Myth # 2: Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Is Too Expensive And Not Worth It
To get the compensation you deserve, it is crucial to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you. On your own, the insurance company simply will not pay you what your injuries and losses deserve. Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of people, lowballing their offers, and not paying what is fair.
A personal injury attorney will help you maximize your damages for economic as well as non-economic losses, allowing you to walk away with considerably more than what an insurance company first offers. And this just compensation makes retaining an attorney a worthwhile and meaningful investment.
What’s more, our law firm only gets paid if you win, taking the financial risk out of seeking legal help when injured. Typically, we will take 33% or one-third of the awards, leaving you with a significant amount to cover medical bills, work-related losses, and non-economic damages, such as those related to pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Myth # 3: If I’m Partially At Fault For An Accident, I Can’t Recover Damages In Iowa
As long as you are found by an Iowa jury to be less than 51% at fault for the accident, you can potentially recover damages. While your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you by the jury, you can still be compensated for your losses.
Myth # 4: It Is Always Better To Settle My Personal Injury Case Than Go To Court
While many cases do settle out of court, some cases will have considerable trial value. While the trial process is uncertain, some cases are worth taking to trial as a way to hold insurance companies accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Every case is different, and it’s best to speak at length with a personal injury attorney to determine if settling or heading to trial makes the most sense for your case.
Attorney Gary Kendell is a respected, caring personal injury lawyer serving Iowa and Wisconsin. For over 25 years, he’s helped clients just like you get the answers, respect, and compensation they truly need after an accident causes injury and harm.
Have questions, or in need of legal help? Reach out to Gary Kendell to schedule a free initial consultation today.
Myth # 5: I Can Save Money By Handling My Personal Injury Claim Without An Attorney
While going at it alone will save you attorney’s fees, it certainly won’t get you the compensation from an insurance company that you truly need and deserve. The legal process can be incredibly complex, and it’s easy to find yourself lowballed by an insurance company without legal representation. You could also find that you’ve exceeded the statute of limitations, leaving you with nothing.
While a personal injury attorney will collect fees, it’s much wiser to allow a lawyer to represent you and present your case skillfully to an insurer or a jury. Our law firm, as it happens, only collects a fee when you win, taking considerable financial risk out of the decision.
Myth #6: Hiring An Iowa Personal Injury Attorney Won’t Change How Insurance Companies View My Case?
Not true. Insurance companies will certainly change their approach once your attorney gets involved. Without training, you simply will not have the necessary legal knowledge to negotiate and understand what your case is worth. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to fight for you, negotiate for what’s fair, and properly protect your legal rights.
How A Personal Injury Attorney Can Clear Up Misconceptions & Strengthen Your Case
When in doubt, reach out to a personal injury lawyer. Whether your injuries are moderate or severe, let an attorney review your case. Your lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim and fight for the damages your injuries merit.
It’s simply not realistic to expect a fair and reasonable offer from insurance companies; they’re out to lowball injured parties, take advantage of people with no legal training, and blame you instead of offering meaningful help.
An attorney will also help ensure you don’t miss key deadlines; waiting to seek legal help can mean that you run out of time and lose your opportunity to seek damages. Getting prompt legal representation ensures your claim is filed before that time limit expires, puts the insurance company on notice, and allows your lawyer to get to work collecting evidence and building a strong case.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on Common misconceptions about Iowa personal injury claims, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (515) 205-1922 today.
Attorney Gary Kendell is a respected, caring personal injury lawyer serving Iowa and Wisconsin. For over 25 years, he’s helped clients just like you get the answers, respect, and compensation they truly need after an accident causes injury and harm.
Have questions, or in need of legal help? Reach out to Gary Kendell to schedule a free initial consultation today.
