Were you seriously hurt in an Iowa truck accident? Is the truck driver’s insurance company contacting you about settling your case?
Before you decide to settle your Iowa truck accident claim, ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. Have You Fully Healed From Your Truck Accident Injuries?
Don’t settle your Iowa truck accident case before you have healed from your injuries. If you settle your claim while you are still receiving medical treatment, you will likely have to pay future medical bills out of your own pocket. The trucking company typically will not pay ongoing medical bills after you sign their settlement paperwork.
If you are still receiving medical treatment, or will likely need medical treatment in the future because of your crash-related injuries, it’s critical that you do not sign any paperwork before talking with an attorney first.
You do not need to rush into a settlement before you are healed. If the statute of limitations is coming up on your case and you are still getting treatment for your accident-related injuries, speak with an experienced Iowa trucking accident lawyer to discuss your options. You may need to file a lawsuit. The benefit of filing a lawsuit is that it gives you more time to heal without fear of missing an important legal deadline.
2. Is the Insurance Company Offering You a Fair Settlement Amount For Your Iowa Truck Crash Case?
If your accident was caused by the truck driver’s negligence, the trucking company and its insurance company is responsible for paying fair compensation for your accident-related damages. Those damages can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of full function of the body and/or mind
- Pain and suffering
If the truck driver or the trucking company engaged in reckless or intentionally bad behavior which led to your crash, you may also be entitled to punitive damages.
It can be difficult to understand how each type of damage should be valued in a settlement. To avoid settling for too little, it is important to talk to the right attorney — it can mean the difference between a fair settlement and a lowball offer.
3. Have You Spoken With an Iowa Trucking Accident Attorney?
Truck accident claims are different than car accident claims for a variety of reasons. A settlement amount that’s fair in a car accident claim may not be fair if you suffered your injuries in a truck accident. Only an experienced truck accident lawyer can evaluate the settlement value of a truck accident claim.
Before you decide to settle your claim, contact a lawyer with truck accident experience and ask for an initial consultation. During this consultation, you can find out whether it is a smart idea to settle your case on your own.
RSH Legal offers a free, no-obligation case evaluation to Iowa truck accident victims. To schedule yours, contact us today at 1-319-774-1783.
