If you have been seriously injured in Des Moines because of someone else’s fault, you need to speak with an experienced Des Moines personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The skilled legal team at RSH Legal has decades of experience fighting for fairness for Des Moines citizens and we can get you a fair settlement for your case.
Cases that Our Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
- Car accidents
- Workers’ compensation
- Nursing home injuries
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Brain injuries
6 Mistakes People Make During Their Personal Injury Cases That Means Less Money in Their Pocket
Not seeking medical attention
In the excitement and adrenaline following an accident, it’s easy to downplay your injuries or think they will heal on their own. However, failing to get medical attention can have serious consequences.
For example, a concussion may not seem like a big deal at first, but if left untreated, it can lead to long-term problems such as memory loss, dizziness, and headaches. Additionally, if you wait to seek medical attention, the defendant’s insurance company may try to argue that your injuries were not serious or that they were caused by something other than the accident.
Not keeping track of expenses
You may be surprised how quickly expenses after a personal injury can add up. For example, if you were in a car accident and had to miss a week of work, you may, in addition to lost wages, have had to pay for a rental car or extra childcare.
It can be easy to lose track of these expenses, but they all add up and you are entitled to be compensated for them. Make sure to save receipts and document all your expenses related to your personal injury claim.
Posting about your case on social media
During your personal injury case, it’s important to be mindful of what you post on social media. Even if you have your privacy settings set to “friends only,” it’s possible for your posts to be screenshotted and used against you in court.
For example, if you post pictures of yourself at a party or participate in a physically demanding activity, the defendant’s insurance company may argue that you are not as injured as you claim to be. It’s best to avoid posting on social media altogether until you’ve settled your Des Moines personal injury claim.
Not following through with treatment
Let’s say you were in a car accident and received treatment for your injuries. However, you start to feel better and decide to stop going to physical therapy. This could be a mistake.
If you stop treatment before you have fully recovered, it could be used against you in court. The defendant’s insurance company may argue that you aren’t as injured as you said you were, or that your injuries were not serious enough to warrant continued treatment.
Accepting a settlement too quickly
After an accident, you may be eager to put the whole thing behind you and accept the first settlement offer you receive.
However, it’s important to take the time to understand the terms of the settlement and to make sure it covers all your damages. For example, if you are still experiencing pain and discomfort from your injuries, you may need additional medical treatment in the future. The person who hurt you should have to pay for these damages – they shouldn’t come out of your own pocket. Make sure the settlement takes this into account.
Not speaking with a Des Moines personal injury lawyer
Not all personal injury claims require a lawyer. But many people will make the mistake of never talking to an attorney about their case – and lose out on thousands of dollars in compensation.
Don’t be one of those people who regrets not speaking with a lawyer. Most Des Moines personal injury lawyers offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Get crucial advice on how to handle your case from an experienced attorney for free. Contact our Des Moines personal injury lawyers at 1-800-433-0283 today and get a free consultation.
Why Your Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer Will Never Ask You for a Retainer
Like most Des Moines personal injury lawyers, RSH Legal works on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency fees are a common payment arrangement in personal injury cases, where the lawyer representing the plaintiff (the party bringing the lawsuit) agrees to take a percentage of any settlement or verdict that is awarded to the plaintiff. If the plaintiff does not win their case, the lawyer does not receive a fee.
Personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming, and many Iowans do not have the financial resources to pay for a lawyer’s services on an hourly basis. Contingency fees allow people to pursue legal action without having to pay upfront legal fees. This means you can get compensation for your harms and losses without having to spend thousands of dollars upfront to do so.
The percentage of the damages that the lawyer receives as a contingency fee will depend on the specifics of the case. If you have questions about this, speak with your attorney before signing any paperwork.
There are other expenses associated with bringing a lawsuit as well, such as court fees, or costs of hiring expert witnesses. At RSH Legal, we front these costs for our clients and only require they are paid from your settlement or verdict if we win your case.
So many injury victims don’t bother hiring an attorney after a serious car accident, nursing home abuse, or a medical error because they think it will cost them money upfront. Don’t make that mistake – contact a Des Moines personal injury lawyer near you to see if an attorney can help you.
Tim Semelroth
Board-Certified Trial Attorney
Pressley Henningsen
AV-Rated Trial Attorney
A car came through the median and we were hit head on. Every bone in my body from my lower jaw down to the bottom of my feet was broken. My medical bills were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I can’t imagine going through something like this without someone like Tim or RSH Legal.
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