Mount Ayr Car Accident Injury Attorneys

If you have been in a car accident in Urbana, you have probably wondered how much your case is actually worth, and why the insurance company seems more interested in closing your file than helping you recover. Understanding the real factors that shape a claim's value, the most common causes of car accidents, and why an insurance adjuster is not on your side can help you make informed decisions after a crash.

How Much Is Your Urbana Car Accident Claim Worth?

Before the value of a claim can be determined, several pieces of information need to be gathered and reviewed. There are literally dozens of factors involved, but some of the most important include the following.

Because there are so many variables, it is not possible to give a new client a precise number before reviewing medical records and investigating the case. If an attorney tells you exactly what your case is worth before looking at your records or investigating your claim, that should raise a red flag.

When Will You Know Your Case's Value?

A thorough attorney will eventually tell you how much they believe your case is worth once your medical records have been reviewed and your case has been fully investigated. This typically involves preparing a demand letter that lays out the facts supporting your case and the amount being demanded to settle. You should be involved in reviewing that demand letter and kept informed throughout negotiations, including whether any offers being made are reasonable.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

While road and weather conditions play a role in many car accidents, there are a few main reasons why they happen. Being aware of these reasons and actively avoiding them can help you and your loved ones stay safer on the road.

Distracted Driving

By far the biggest reason for car accidents is distracted driving, accounting for roughly half of all crashes. The reasons for being distracted include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating, reading, grooming, or even watching television. Avoiding any activity that takes your eyes off the road is the best way to avoid distracted driving and the accidents it causes.

Fatigued Driving

Tired drivers are a close second, contributing to a significant number of accidents each year nationwide. Just as dangerous as distracted driving, tired drivers have decreased reaction times, which leads to more crashes. Getting a good night's sleep, taking breaks from driving often, sharing the driving when possible, and pulling over if fatigue is affecting your ability to drive can all help.

Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers remain a major hazard on the road, killing thousands of Americans every year. Avoiding accidents caused by drunk driving means never getting behind the wheel after drinking and never letting anyone else drive after they have been drinking.

Speeding

Speeding is a large cause of car accidents and results in harsher crashes, making the impact and results more devastating. It also cuts down the time drivers have to try to avoid a potential accident. Paying close attention to the speed limit and obeying it helps avoid accidents caused by excessive speed.

Aggressive Driving

Any driver who does not obey the speed limit or rules of the road, gestures or shouts at other drivers, tailgates unnecessarily, or changes lanes unsafely is considered an aggressive driver. The only result of aggressive driving is potential accidents and injuries, which is why slowing down and paying attention to the road matters so much.

Why the Insurance Company Is Not Always on Your Side

Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and they would rather collect premiums than pay claims. The insurance adjuster may be nice to you, but the adjuster is not on your side, is under no obligation to help you, and is not even required under the law to tell you the truth.

Keeping this in mind from the very first phone call can change how you approach every conversation with the insurance company afterward.

Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Adjuster

Always tell the truth, since the adjuster's biggest job is to pay you as little money as possible and close your case, and they will want documentation for your lost wages, medical care, and any prior medical treatment. You are generally not required to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, though you may agree to provide a statement that is not recorded. If you end up making a claim against your own insurance company, your policy may require a recorded statement, which carries the same weight as a deposition given under oath, so it is important to answer carefully and ask for clarification if you do not understand a question.

Do not try to hide prior accidents or injuries, since insurance companies keep records of claims made across the country, and failing to disclose this information can hurt your credibility and your case. Be matter-of-fact when speaking with an adjuster, sticking to the facts of your case rather than volunteering unrelated information, and try to remain calm even if you become frustrated, since getting angry can be used against you later.

Know Your Statute of Limitations

Under Iowa law, you generally have two years from the date you were injured to bring a claim, though exceptions exist, such as a much shorter notice period if you were hit by a drunk driver and want to pursue a claim against the bar that served them. Waiting until the last minute to settle only puts more pressure on you, not the insurance company, and can make it difficult to find an attorney willing to take your case with only a few weeks remaining before the statute expires.

If you attempt to settle a case on your own, make sure you understand that you are generally giving up all rights to future compensation and medical care in exchange for a sum of money today, and that all terms are in writing, including who will pay any outstanding medical bills and how your health insurer will be reimbursed.

These same considerations apply whether your Urbana car accident claim is small or involves serious injuries. Understanding what you are agreeing to before signing anything protects you from a settlement that looks reasonable at first but leaves important costs uncovered down the road.

How an Urbana Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Whether you are trying to understand what your claim might be worth, avoiding the common causes of car accidents, or dealing with an insurance adjuster who is not looking out for you, having the right information puts you in a much stronger position. An experienced car accident attorney can investigate your claim thoroughly and help make sure nothing about your case is left to guesswork.