Take an example – You were driving home from work as usual, and suddenly, a drunk driver crashed into your vehicle. You know they were at fault, but the immediate aftermath requires you to focus on other things. You must inform the local enforcement about the accident and seek immediate care. You have probably completely missed taking pictures of the accident scene. Now, someone tells you that you can file an injury claim with the other driver’s insurance company and seek compensation according to Iowa state laws. You just don’t know where to start.
You are not alone. People often don’t understand the complexities of personal injury laws and fail to get legal advice. You cannot expect to handle everything, especially when you have limited knowledge of the legalese. In this post, we will discuss the crucial role of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Iowa.
Lawyers can assess your case
More often than not, claimants stare at a blank slate when filing an injury claim. They don’t know what damages they can recover. Also, many people do not understand the burden of proof. If you want to sue the other party, you must have evidence against them. Instead of trying to figure out things alone, you can let an attorney evaluate the case. They will check the medical records, any additional evidence you may have, and other details to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Lawyers can do an investigation
Investigating the accident is more than just collecting pictures and videos. Lawyers can use their resources to find evidence from all sources, which will help demonstrate the fault of the other party. Injury lawyers are not just skilled at finding details, but if required, they can also contact other professionals. For instance, your attorney may contact a medical expert to explain the extent of your injuries. For complex mishaps, it is not unusual for attorneys to hire accident reconstruction experts either.
Lawyers can negotiate
The first thing you must know about filing a claim in Iowa is the tactful nature of insurance companies. Claims adjusters are not interested what losses you have incurred. Their job is to reduce the payout and protect the interests of the carrier. If you hire a reliable lawyer, they will handle the claims paperwork and negotiate the settlement. They know how insurance adjusters use shrewd means and ways to undermine claims and will take an aggressive stance if necessary.
Lawyers can go to court
What if the other party was uninsured? What would you do if the insurance offer is unlikely to cover all your damages? You still have the choice to file a personal injury lawsuit, for which you have two years in Iowa. Once you get an attorney, they will keep up with the deadline and file a lawsuit in time. They know how to present arguments and represent you in court to get a favorable outcome.
“Can I afford an attorney?”
Now that you know the critical role of a personal injury lawyer in Iowa, you are probably wondering if you can afford one. The purpose of your claim is to recover a financial payout, and your attorney is interested in maximizing that. That’s because your lawyer doesn’t get an hourly rate or retainer, but a share of your settlement. When you meet a lawyer, they will review the case and tell you the contingency fee, which is a fixed percentage, usually between 25% to 50%. Yes, you can always afford a lawyer because you don’t get compensation; you don’t have to pay your lawyer.
Find an attorney soon so that they can start investigating and working on your case.
