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- Hudson Personal Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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Getting hurt because of someone else's negligence is stressful enough without having to figure out how to deal with insurance adjusters and doctors on top of it. For Hudson residents facing a personal injury claim, knowing what to expect from the insurance company and how to protect your case at the doctor's office can make a real difference in the outcome. The attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have spent years helping Iowans navigate these exact issues, and this guide breaks down the practical steps every Hudson injury victim should understand.
Can You Trust the Insurance Company?
In Iowa alone, there are more than 100 insurance companies who sell insurance, 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 you. Some Hudson residents assume that if they are injured, their own insurance company will pursue a claim against the other party on their behalf. This is simply not true. While your insurance company will try to recover what it paid for property damage, it is highly unlikely that it will pursue a claim for your personal injuries.
Whether you are dealing with the insurance company for the driver who hit you or the workers' compensation carrier for your employer, there are some important things every Hudson resident should keep in mind.
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, which means paying you as little as possible
- An adjuster may seem nice, but they are not looking out for you
- Insurance companies are in the business of selling insurance and do not like paying claims
Five Tips for Dealing With Insurance Companies
- 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 Insurance Adjusters Operate
What every insurance adjuster in Hudson injury cases has in common is that they are trained in techniques to reduce the value of a claim, and their overall job is to pay out as little money as possible in order to maximize insurance company profits. Beyond that shared goal, different companies tend to handle claims in different ways.
| Insurer Type | What Hudson Claimants Should Know |
|---|---|
| Large workers' compensation carriers | Some are generally responsive to phone calls, emails, and letters, but that friendliness does not mean the amount they offer reflects what is actually owed. |
| Companies with in-house attorneys | Some large insurers give their adjusters access to in-house attorneys who may take over a claim. If an attorney is assigned to the other side of your case, you should strongly consider having your own attorney to avoid costly mistakes. |
| Third-party administrators (TPAs) | These are not insurance companies themselves but administer claims for self-insured employers or other carriers. They can be more difficult to work with, including slower record production and fewer returned calls. |
| Large national and international carriers | Claims are sometimes handled by adjusters far from Iowa who may not know the details of state law, but who are trained to pay as little as possible regardless of what Iowa law provides. |
If you are unsure whether your Hudson injury claim needs an attorney, a case review at no cost or risk can help you understand your options. Sometimes the best advice is that you can handle a smaller claim on your own, but larger or more complicated cases usually benefit from professional representation.
Common Mistakes Hudson Residents Make With Doctors After an Injury
Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with the doctor are when treating an injury. What you tell your doctor, and what you do not tell your doctor, can greatly affect your injury case, whether you were hurt in a car accident, a work injury, or another type of personal injury.
Failing to See a Doctor Immediately
It is your responsibility to prove that you were injured. If you have any pain or problems, seek medical care right away. Insurance companies and juries often believe that a delay in treatment means the injury is not related to the accident.
Talking About Your Claim Instead of Your Injuries
Medical providers need to know how you were hurt, but your legal concerns should be kept separate. Anything you tell a medical provider can end up in your records, which the insurance company may later review.
Hiding Your Health History
Be honest about prior injuries to the same body part. Prior medical records will eventually surface, and providing incomplete information can hurt both your treatment and your legal case.
Missing or Being Late to Appointments
A missed appointment shows up in your chart as a no-show. More than one can suggest to an insurance company or jury that you did not take your treatment seriously, even if you had a valid reason.
Documenting Pain, Work Limitations, and Treatment
Your medical records are the foundation of your injury claim. If your Hudson case involves ongoing pain or limitations at work, that information needs to be documented by your health care provider, not just described to your attorney after the fact. Writing down your symptoms before an appointment can help make sure nothing is left out of a busy doctor's notes.
Doctors and therapists often ask patients to rate pain on a scale of one to ten. Very few people experience pain worse than an eight during their lifetime, so it helps to keep this scale in mind and avoid exaggeration, since providers are trained to notice inconsistencies between what a patient says and how they appear during the visit.
Additional Steps That Protect Your Claim
- Take medications as prescribed, and contact your doctor before stopping on your own if you experience side effects
- Keep business cards, bills, and records from every medical provider you see
- Keep copies of work excuses, restrictions, and referrals given to you by your doctor
- Seek treatment for anxiety or depression related to your injury, since these conditions are just as real as a physical injury and can be part of your claim
- Review and retain medical bills and explanation of benefits forms from your health insurer
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.