Attorneys
- Clarion Car Accident Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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After a serious car accident, most Clarion residents will file an insurance claim. Before starting that claim, there are important details to understand that can help or hurt the outcome, from what you say to an adjuster to who is actually responsible for your medical bills while the case is pending. The attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have spent years helping Iowans through exactly this process, and this guide breaks down what every Clarion accident victim should know.
Six Things That Help a Clarion Insurance Claim
An insurance settlement depends on the strength of the claim, so naturally a Clarion resident will want to give their case every advantage possible. The following practices can benefit a claim.
Contact an Attorney Early
The sooner a lawyer is hired, the sooner they get familiar with the claim. Following that, the lawyer should have it ready to go to negotiations or trial for a fair outcome.
Report the Accident Promptly
If an accident goes unreported for too long, it may lose integrity. Iowa's statute of limitations only allows a lawsuit to be filed up to two years after a personal injury accident.
Collect Available Evidence
Take pictures of the accident, including injured victims, damaged property, and weather conditions. In a car accident, make sure police were contacted to create a report, and obtain contact information for witnesses.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine after the accident, get a checkup. Injuries like whiplash can take a few days to manifest, so be checked shortly after the accident.
Keep Records of Communication
Start a file for correspondence from the insurance company, healthcare providers, an employer, or any other entity related to the accident or treatment, and keep it organized.
Follow Doctors' Orders
Even if you are feeling better, continue to follow all doctors' orders for medication, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments.
Six Things to Avoid That Can Damage a Clarion Insurance Claim
Just as a Clarion resident should focus on actions that help a claim, it is equally important to know what can harm a personal injury accident claim.
| Action to Avoid | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Talking about the accident before speaking with an attorney | Insurance companies often try to get claimants to give a recorded statement immediately after reporting an accident, hoping to get victims to admit fault or suggest their damages were not as severe as they seem. |
| Destroying evidence related to the accident | Keep any damaged items, the clothing worn when the injury occurred, or the damaged vehicle. |
| Talking too much about the accident on social media | Insurance companies may see accounts and use postings as evidence in denying a claim. A status update saying you are feeling good could be used as evidence the injuries were not severe. |
| Delaying a doctor evaluation | Injuries like whiplash do not manifest immediately. A delay in getting an exam and diagnosis may prevent future injuries from being included in a claim. |
| Signing paperwork before attorney review | If the insurance company asks a claimant to sign a medical release, they may gain access to past medical history that could be used against the claim. |
| Accepting the first settlement offer | A personal injury claim may be worth much more than the initial offer, so it is best to work with an attorney to estimate the full value of the claim before negotiating. |
Who Should Pay Your Medical Bills After a Clarion Car Accident?
This is one of the most common questions Clarion residents ask, and there is a lot of misinformation out there. The other driver's insurance adjuster may say to send them all your medical bills, but that does not mean they will actually pay them as they come in. You can ask the adjuster for something in writing confirming they will pay your medical bills, but chances are the only way they will pay anything is if you agree to sign a release and close your claim forever.
The Best Sources to Pay Your Medical Bills
Your Own Health Insurance
Whether obtained through your employer or on your own, your health insurance is required to pay your medical bills regardless of whether the injury came from a car accident. Make sure the hospital and other providers have the information needed to submit bills to your health insurer, and do not accept the excuse that they cannot do this because a third party is responsible.
Medical Payments Coverage
If there is insurance on the vehicle you were in at the time of the crash, or if you carry your own car insurance, there is likely some medical payments coverage available. It is usually best to use this coverage for co-pays and deductibles. This is coverage you bought to protect yourself, and if you were not at fault for the accident, using it should not affect your premiums.
If You Don't Have Health Insurance
You could contact the medical provider to see if they are willing to write off all or part of the balance given your financial situation. Many hospitals are not for profit, which requires them to write off a portion of their medical bills each year to maintain their nonprofit benefits.
If None of the Above Work
You could seek assistance from a local church, charity, family, or friends. If you are in this situation, your medical bills may be one of your last concerns as you are probably having trouble paying your other bills as well.
Can You Trust the Insurance Company?
There are more than 100 insurance companies operating in Iowa, with policies ranging from personal injury to workers' compensation. Although people generally buy insurance to protect themselves against future loss, paying a premium does not mean the insurance company is going to look out for a Clarion driver after a crash. Some residents assume that if they are injured, their own insurance company will pursue a claim against the other driver on their behalf. This is simply not true. While your insurer may try to recover what it paid for property damage, it is highly unlikely to pursue a claim for your personal injuries.
What the Insurance Company Will Not Tell You
- The insurance company is not representing you or your best interests
- They are not required to tell you the truth
- The company is in the business of making the most profit possible, meaning paying you as little as possible
- An adjuster may seem nice, but they are not looking out for you
- Insurance companies do not like paying claims
Five Tips for Dealing With the Insurance Company
- Tell the truth in every conversation
- Be careful, and consider having a professional handle the adjuster on your behalf
- Keep documentation such as a diary or journal of how you are feeling
- Be thorough at every medical appointment
- Regularly attend medical appointments and follow up as directed
How Different Insurers Handle Claims
Some large insurance carriers are generally responsive to phone calls, emails, and letters, but that friendliness does not mean the amount they offer reflects what is actually owed. Some large insurers give their adjusters access to in-house attorneys who may take over a claim, so if an attorney is assigned to the other side of your case, you should strongly consider having your own. Third-party administrators, which are not insurance companies themselves but administer claims for self-insured companies or other carriers, can be more difficult to work with, including slower record production and fewer returned calls. Large national and international carriers sometimes assign adjusters unfamiliar with Iowa law, but who are still trained to pay as little as possible regardless of what the law provides.
Seeking Legal Assistance in Clarion
Seeking legal counsel from experienced Clarion 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.