You may have many questions after suffering a severe personal injury in a vehicle accident, slip and fall, or other incident. It’s the job of an Iowa injury lawyer to explain the basic concepts of injury law and answer your questions. Below, the team at Loney & Schueller, LLC, answers some of the most common questions people have when they come to us about a potential personal injury claim.
You must prove three main points to win a personal injury case in Iowa. First, someone who had a responsibility to avoid or prevent injuring you must have caused your injury. Second, you need to have suffered harm of some sort, either physically or to your property. Lastly, you need to quantify your losses so you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. If these conditions apply, you might have a valid case.
Personal injury claims can result from various types of accidents. The unifying factor in these cases is that someone sustained an injury due to another party’s negligence. Some common types of accidents that often lead to personal injury claims include:
According to Iowa law, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of sustaining your injuries. If you miss this deadline, the courts will likely dismiss your case even if it has merit.
In a personal injury case, you may be eligible to receive compensation to cover the losses you’ve endured due to an accident, including:
An Iowa personal injury claim follows a structured process that involves several key steps:
While you aren’t legally required to hire a lawyer to handle your personal injury case, choosing to represent yourself can be risky. Here’s why it’s beneficial to work with a lawyer and the risks of going it alone:
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer:
Risks of Not Hiring a Lawyer:
It depends on the case, the available evidence, how much money you ask for, and other factors. Most cases resolve within a few months, while others might take years, particularly if the case goes to trial. However, it’s important to stay patient to avoid settling for less than you deserve.
Most personal injury cases conclude without going to trial. Court cases are risky, expensive, and unpredictable. Most of the time, you’re better off with the certainty of an insurance settlement rather than risking a courtroom trial. However, taking your case to trial may be necessary if the other party and their insurance company refuse to make a fair offer. Your attorney will always prepare for the possibility of going to trial so they can negotiate from the strongest possible position.
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some essential factors to consider when selecting an attorney:
If you have additional questions about personal injury cases in Iowa, we’ll happily answer them for you. Call Loney & Schueller, LLC, today for a free initial consultation.
Contact us online, or call us at 1-515-225-4485 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Des Moines personal injury attorney. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no attorney’s fees unless we are able to recover compensation on your behalf.
Our law office is conveniently located at 50th St. and I-235 in West Des Moines. We have successfully represented thousands of personal injury and Iowa workers’ compensation clients. Call 1-515-225-4485 for a free consultation. You never pay attorneys’ fees until we win and recover for all of your losses either in a favorable settlement or trial verdict.
