Britt Truck Accident Injury Attorneys

What Insurance Companies Do Not Want Britt Truck Accident Victims to Know

Insurance companies donate significant sums to politicians each year in an attempt to reduce the rights and compensation available to hardworking Iowans, all in the name of greater profit. What they do not control, however, are the judges and juries who ultimately decide the amount of compensation owed when someone is hurt in a truck accident or another personal injury matter. There are several things insurance companies would rather Britt accident victims never learn.

The Insurance Company Is Legally Allowed to Mislead You

There is no law requiring the insurance company for the other side to tell you the truth or act in your best interests. This is why an adjuster will sometimes act like your friend and try to build trust, especially when your injuries are serious. It is a bad idea to trust an insurance adjuster, since their job is to pay you as little money as possible, and they may even receive promotions or bonuses for building a track record of underpaying claims. They are not going to tell you what your rights are or the best way to proceed with your claim.

You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement

An adjuster may tell you a recorded statement is required to evaluate your claim, but in reality you have no obligation to provide one. The reason they want a recorded statement is so they can ask questions in a way that can later be used against you. For example, an adjuster might ask if you have ever had back pain before, and an unprepared answer of no could significantly damage your case if your medical records later show a prior issue. Your credibility is very important in any injury case, which is why the insurance adjuster will try to damage it right away.

Their "Final Offer" Is Usually Not Their Best Offer

Often during negotiations, an insurance company will claim they are presenting their final offer, but this is usually not the case. There is little downside to proposing another offer to settle your case, since it is unlikely they will withdraw what they have already offered. Sometimes it takes filing a lawsuit and going through that process to get to their actual best offer.

What Can an Attorney Do for Your Britt Truck Accident Case?

Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may or may not need an attorney for your case. Even so, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney and request information, such as a free book, that can help guide you through the process and help you avoid common, costly mistakes.

Choosing the Right Attorney

If you have not yet decided to hire an attorney, it is worth checking reviews on sites like Avvo and Google, since advertising personal injury or truck accident services does not necessarily mean an attorney handles those cases well. Look for reviews from prior clients describing their experience, including the results they obtained, so you can feel confident about choosing the right attorney for your case. Keep in mind that reputable firms do not accept every client who calls, since not every case is the right fit for every firm, and focusing on the right clients often allows attorneys to deliver stronger results for those they do represent.

Tasks an Attorney Handles on Your Behalf

Every case is different, but an experienced Iowa truck accident attorney generally handles a wide range of tasks, often on a contingency basis so there is no upfront risk to you. This can include educating clients about Iowa injury laws, gathering documentary evidence such as police accident reports, medical records, and bills, and hiring an investigator when necessary to interview and locate witnesses. Attorneys also collect other evidence, such as photographs of the vehicles and accident scene, and review legal issues like comparative fault and assumption of the risk.

An attorney communicates with your physicians to obtain written reports supporting your case, reviews your insurance policy for coverage that may help pay medical bills while your claim is pending, and evaluates the validity of any liens asserted by doctors, insurers, or employers. If a suit is filed, your attorney prepares you, witnesses, and healthcare providers for depositions, prepares a demand package in an attempt to settle the case, prepares for mediation, and if needed, takes the case through trial. Afterward, your attorney can review the verdict and advise you on whether there are good grounds for an appeal.

Who Should Pay Your Medical Bills After a Britt Truck Accident?

In Iowa truck accident cases, it is rare for the other driver's insurance company to make payments toward your medical bills as you incur them, even when their liability is obvious and they have already paid for your property damage. The other driver's insurance company is not required to make ongoing payments, and insurance companies routinely make payments only at the time of a final settlement when they can obtain a release. You should not expect the other driver's insurance company to pay your medical bills as they come in.

Options for Getting Your Bills Paid

Instead, there are several avenues a Britt truck accident victim can look to for payment while a claim is pending. These include your own health insurance from an employer benefits package, health insurance you have paid for personally, or health insurance obtained by a spouse or parent on your behalf. Medical payments insurance coverage on your own auto policy may also apply, and in some cases you may be able to receive this coverage both from the insurance company for the vehicle involved and from your own insurance company if you were not in your own vehicle. If you are not covered under an existing insurance plan, you may be eligible for coverage through HealthCare.gov or Medicaid. Personal funds can also be used if you are uninsured and able to pay medical bills as they are incurred.

If there are insufficient funds to pay doctors, hospitals, and other medical bills, an attorney's office can often help facilitate assignments in which the client authorizes the firm to pay the medical provider directly from any settlement or verdict. This will often satisfy the health provider, and many will wait until the time of settlement rather than pursue collection. Keep in mind that almost all insurance policies have a subrogation provision, which means they require reimbursement if you obtain money for your medical bills from another party or insurance company.