The Most Common Car Accident Myths in Iowa

Car accidents can have devastating consequences. They can not only cause serious injuries and disabilities but may also affect a person's ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Sadly, misconceptions about personal injury claims have deterred many from acquiring the financial restitution they deserve. To ensure that our clients have access to factual information, we have compiled a list of the most common car accident myths in Iowa. We can also share insight on common truck accident myths in Iowa.

Myth 1: A Victim's Own Insurance Covers Their Damages When the At-fault Party Cannot

Unfortunately, many people don't think that it's necessary to file a lawsuit because they will be covered in one way or another.

The truth is that if the other driver's insurer does not offer coverage or if the motorist doesn't have insurance at all, there is a low chance that their own insurance will pay for their damages.

In most cases, the injured party will be left to pick up the pieces on their own. However, an insurance provider may cover some costs if their client has one or both of these policy types:

• MedPay - medical payment coverage

• Uninsured/underinsured driver coverage

Myth 2: Insurance Adjusters Are Friends

Although they may seem friendly, insurance adjusters are not allies. In fact, they are often looking for loopholes and flaws in the claimant's story. That's because their job is to investigate claims to determine whether the insurer should pay for the damages.

Because insurance companies are businesses, paying claims is not in their best interests. Even if the claimant is the one who pays for the policy, they should never assume that the insurer is on their side.

When an insurance adjuster appears to be friendly, they are likely trying to get the victim to say something that can be used as a reason to deny the claim. The only person who will truly be working in the injured person's best interest is their personal injury lawyer.

Myth 3: Medical Bills Are the Only Damages in a Car Crash

Another common myth is that victims may only have their medical bills paid by the at-fault party. This simply isn't true.

Car accidents often result in property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and so much more. These damages can all be added to a personal injury claim. Moreover, some serious injuries require future medical treatment, which can also be included.

Victims are encouraged to contact an experienced attorney to learn more about the compensation available to them following a car accident. They can also consult on common personal injury myths in Iowa.

Myth 4: It's Too Expensive to Hire Personal Injury Lawyers

For many, hiring a legal representative seems like something they can only do in their dreams. The prospective cost of legal aid often seems overwhelming.

Fortunately, most lawyers who handle such claims work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they are only paid once the victim receives their payout. The good thing is that this pricing model ensures that the attorney will do everything in his or her power to secure a favorable verdict.

That's because if they do not secure compensation for their client, they will not be paid, either. Injured parties can approach an attorney with full confidence, knowing that they won't be turned away due to a lack of funds.

Myth 5: A Personal Injury Lawsuit Can Be Filed at Any Time

Iowa has a statute of limitations, which is essentially a deadline for filing injury claims. If the claimant fails to seek compensation within the allotted statute of limitations (which is two years for a personal injury claim), they lose their right to do so.

It's important for victims to get in touch with their legal team as soon as possible following a car accident, as they will also need time to prepare the case.

This may involve collecting evidence, calling in expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists, or filing paperwork. All of this requires time, and leaving things to the last minute could result in a missed opportunity.

Myth 6: It's Okay for Victims to File a Claim on Their Own

While it certainly isn't a legal requirement, there are many reasons why pursuing compensation without legal assistance is a bad idea. The truth is that most people do not include future medical expenses and lost income in their claims, leading to low settlement offers.

They are also not taken seriously, which could result in having to accept unfair amounts. However, when a claimant walks in with a reputable attorney on their side, their claim will likely be treated with the respect it deserves. For more information, a Des Moines car accident attorney may be able help.

Moreover, lawyers have years of experience, so they know what fair compensation looks like. They will also be able to conduct comprehensive investigations to reveal crucial evidence that proves that the crash was the other driver's fault. This significantly improves the chances of a positive outcome.

Myth 7: Insurance Claims Pay the Blue Book Value of the Totaled Vehicle

When a car is totaled following a crash, many believe that they will get the Blue Book value. However, insurance companies are not obligated to pay claimants this amount. Instead, they will evaluate the amount payable based on the actual value of the car.

This may result in the payout being a lot lower than expected, which means that the recipient may not be able to use that amount to purchase a new replacement vehicle.

Tom Fowler Law Offers Free Consultations to Car Crash Victims

A personal injury case can be incredibly daunting. It is often hard to know what the right thing to do is. Fortunately, Iowans are not left to navigate the complex landscape of personal injury law by themselves.

At Tom Fowler Law, we want to ensure that our clients have access to factual information. We are committed to offering victims of car accidents the direction and guidance they need to secure fair compensation.

Our team takes care of the paperwork, evidence collection, and more to ensure that injured persons are able to focus on their recovery. Anyone who has been the victim of negligence is encouraged to contact us for a free consultation.