Attorneys
- Missouri Valley Personal Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
- Directions
An injury does not always announce itself right away, and figuring out who should pay the resulting medical bills can be just as confusing as the injury itself. Whether a Missouri Valley resident is dealing with delayed pain after an accident, working through the confusion of who covers medical bills, or recovering from a bicycle crash, understanding the practical side of an injury claim can make a real difference in the outcome. The attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have spent years helping Iowans through exactly these situations, and this guide breaks down what Missouri Valley victims should know.
What if Your Injuries Don't Appear Right Away?
Often your adrenaline may spike after an accident, and other hormones like cortisol can be released, which temporarily makes you feel no pain. If you have ever lifted heavy weights or worked out too hard, you know that muscle soreness does not show up until the next day. What is important once you start feeling pain after an injury or accident is that you promptly seek medical care to document your pain and begin your healing journey.
If You Waited to Seek Care
Waiting more than a week to seek medical care is not necessarily too late, but it will raise a red flag of suspicion to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case. Make sure you tell your doctor when the pain started and why you did not immediately seek medical care. Going to the emergency room, urgent care, or even your regular doctor can be inconvenient, but failing to go can cost you your claim and case.
When One Injury Leads to Another
It is common for people and their doctors to focus only on the medical issues at hand. If severe pain in one area masks pain in another, or if using one limb more heavily after an injury causes overuse damage elsewhere, you should immediately report any and all additional pain and problems as soon as they arise, since it is common for other problems to show up after one condition is treated.
Establishing That Your Injury Is Related to the Accident
Your attorney should have a conference with your doctors to establish which conditions are related to your injury accident, known as a causation opinion. Some lawyers prefer to write a letter instead of meeting with your doctors, but in most cases, taking the time to talk to your doctors in person leads to much better opinions. Some patients may be able to get a causation opinion from their doctor on their own, but often the conversation results in the doctor saying it is merely possible. That is not enough for compensation, since the injured person has the burden of proof to show it was more likely than not caused by the accident.
Who Should Pay Your Medical Bills After a Missouri Valley Accident
One of the biggest sources of confusion after an accident is figuring out who is actually responsible for paying the medical bills while a claim is pending. It is rare for the at-fault party's insurance company to make payments for medical bills as they are incurred, even when liability is obvious. The at-fault party's insurance company is not required to make payments, and insurance companies routinely make payments only at the time of a final settlement when they can obtain a release. A Missouri Valley victim should not expect the other party's insurance company to pay medical bills along the way.
| Potential Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer health insurance | Your own health insurance obtained through your employment benefits package |
| Personal health insurance | Health insurance you may have purchased and paid for personally |
| Family coverage | Health insurance obtained by a spouse for your benefit, or by parents if you are underage and living with them |
| Medical payments coverage | Medical payments insurance from your own policy if you were in a vehicle or on a bicycle; coverage can sometimes come from both the vehicle's insurer and your own |
| Healthcare.gov or Medicaid | If you are not covered under an insurance plan, you may be eligible for a program under the Affordable Care Act |
| Personal funds | Your own funds if you are uninsured and able to pay medical bills as they are incurred |
With medical debt rising, a Missouri Valley victim may not have the funds available to pay every bill up front. When there are insufficient funds to pay doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers, an attorney can help facilitate assignments in which the client authorizes the law office to pay the medical provider directly out of any settlement or verdict. These arrangements often satisfy the health provider, who will frequently wait until the time of settlement rather than pursue collection efforts against the injured victim.
It is also important for Missouri Valley residents to keep in mind that almost all insurance policies contain a subrogation provision. This means the insurer requires reimbursement if you obtain money for your medical bills from another party or insurance company, which is one more reason it helps to have an attorney reviewing the details of your claim.
Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Missouri Valley
Mindfulness can prevent many types of bicycle accidents. If a crash happens because of someone else's fault, a Missouri Valley cyclist may be able to file a claim. Here are some of the most common types of bicycle accidents and what riders can do to help prevent them.
A Right Hook Accident
This occurs when a car making a right hand turn turns into the path of a cyclist, often at intersections or when pulling out of a driveway or parking lot. To avoid this, stay slightly in front of vehicles in the right hand lane when stopped at a light or stop sign so the motorist has you in direct vision, and never pass a vehicle on the right, since drivers do not expect a cyclist there before a turn.
A Dooring Accident
This happens when a cyclist riding between lanes of traffic and parked cars is struck by a car door opening unexpectedly, which can cause the cyclist to swerve into traffic. If a separate bike lane is available, always choose it. Otherwise, stay alert for parked cars and slow down when approaching one.
A Vehicle Turning Left
Left turning vehicles are usually required to yield to oncoming traffic, but cyclists can be harder to see, especially in poor lighting, causing a driver to turn directly into a cyclist's path. Make sure your bike has a light, wear bright colors, and try to make eye contact with left turning drivers before proceeding through an intersection. Avoid riding on the sidewalk, since motorists do not check sidewalks for fast moving traffic.
Failure to Yield
This occurs when a cyclist fails to yield to a vehicle at an intersection, often because it is easy to misjudge an oncoming car's speed and distance. Always exercise caution when proceeding into an intersection, and even with the right of way, double check that you are in the clear and visible to other drivers.
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.