Protecting The Health Of Car Accident Victims
At Atwood Law, our goal is to allow each client to focus on physical recovery while we focus on his or her legal recovery. If you or a member of your family is injured in an auto collision, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help get you back to the financial position you were in prior to the accident, by recovering:
Economic losses:
- Past lost wages, income and benefits
- Loss of future earnings or future earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Anticipated future medical bills
In addition, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you obtain recovery for your noneconomic losses that cannot be determined with quick calculations, including:
Noneconomic losses:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Disability
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for your spouse
Unlike many other law firms, due to our workers’ compensation experience, we are also keenly aware of how catastrophic collisions and injuries can affect your ability to keep your job, especially when it comes to the issues of time off to recover and restrictions placed upon you by a doctor. We know when it is appropriate for us to get involved with the employer on your behalf and more importantly, when it is not appropriate. We have saved injured folks’ jobs on countless occasions with timely and correct advice.
Were you involved in a serious accident involving a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle? Call our Lincoln, Omaha or Des Moines offices at 402-817-2717 or toll free at 800-655-9606 to discuss your case with our knowledgeable lawyers. We are here to assist Nebraska and Iowa accident victims.
Protecting Clients With In-Depth Knowledge
Did you know that most insurance policies have what is called medical payments coverage that is there to pay your medical bills, regardless of who is at fault for the vehicle accident? Did you know that you can often maximize this medical payments coverage by filing medical bills under your health insurance first and using the medical payments coverage to pay copays?
In addition, did you know that a person’s spouse has a separate claim for loss of consortium if, during the recovery, the spouse has suffered from loss of affection, companionship, comfort, assistance and particularly loss of conjugal society? Insurance companies do not often advertise this, even though they are first in line requesting a release from your spouse.
Call Or Email Us Now If:
- The injuries were catastrophic. Insurance carriers flag certain claims and high-value claims that typically increase the need to get a lawyer involved to combat the insurance carrier’s tactics.
- You feel overwhelmed due to the sheer volume of paperwork and bills piling up.
- The insurance adjuster wants to take a recorded statement from you.
- You have been catastrophically injured, but there is uncertainty about whether the accident was your fault or the other driver’s.
- “How does this all work?” or something similar is the phrase that enters your mind.
- You are worried about keeping your job or would like some free advice or tips on what you should say to your employer.
- The insurance adjuster sounds frustrated that you still need treatment because you have not recovered.
- The adjuster wants a full release to go back and get any of your prior medical records to fish for prior treatment on the same injured body part.
- You have been told by your health insurance company that it wants a dollar for dollar reimbursement of any money it has paid to medical providers for your injuries out of any settlement.
- You are worried about how settlement may affect other governmental benefits that you may receive.
- You are not sure how to calculate any ”loss of future earnings.” We have experts in the field whose job is to make these determinations.
- The insurance adjuster is asking about your health insurance and what you have paid “out of pocket” after health insurance. Did you know that by law, you are entitled to recover the full value of any medical bills and not simply the amount that health insurance paid or you paid out of pocket after health insurance. Insurance companies do not volunteer this information.
Injuries can appear days after an accident
Some injury symptoms that can appear in the aftermath of motor vehicle accidents should not be ignored, since they can indicate more serious problems lurking. And even after a person involved in an accident has received initial treatment, symptoms can persist or even worsen and need to be investigated to see if they are related to the initial injury. There are some particular symptoms people involved in accidents need to be watchful of.
- Numbness in the arms and hands can be due to a whiplash injury that affects the neck or spinal column.
- Another whiplash-related injury symptom can be feeling stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulder area.
- Pain in the back can indicate that the incident caused injury to ligaments, nerves or muscles in the back.
- Headaches, while very common after collisions, can also mean that the person is suffering from a concussion, a blood clot in the brain or a neck injury. Abdominal swelling can be an indication of internal bleeding, as can dizziness, fainting and deep purple bruises.
- A brain injury can also be manifested through personality or physical function changes. Finally, some people involved in accidents also experience PTSD, which might feel like the person is living the accident over and over again.
Being proactive about seeking medical help after a car accident is important, particularly when the symptoms do not show up instantly. Treatment, though necessary, might become expensive. Seeking the guidance of an injury lawyer might help to figure out options on how to be compensated for the damages suffered.
Contact Our Skilled Attorneys To Protect Your Rights
Call our lawyers in Nebraska and Iowa at 402-817-2717 or toll free at 800-655-9606. You may also contact our firm online. The evaluation is free and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, the lawyers at Atwood Law, have answered countless questions asked by the victims of motor vehicle accidents. Because you and your case are unique, the best way to have your questions answered is to contact us for an evaluation. In the meantime, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions we hear below.
If you were injured in a car accident due to a distracted, negligent or drunk driver, call 402-817-2717 or 800-655-9606 to discuss your legal options with our capable legal team.
- What should I do after a car accident?
- Who will pay my medical bills?
- Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
- What if I can’t afford an attorney?
What Should I Do After A Car Accident?
Your safety is the most important thing. Seek medical attention immediately if you need it. If you are able, try to collect names, contact information, vehicle information and insurance information from the other drivers involved, as well as names and contact information of any witnesses. If the police arrive at the scene, answer their questions without assigning blame to yourself or other motorists.
Who Will Pay My Medical Bills?
The responsible driver’s insurer should pay your medical bills after an accident. However, often they delay payment or try to avoid paying altogether. If you believe an insurer is treating you unfairly, it is best to speak with a lawyer.
Do I Have To Talk To The Insurance Company?
You are legally required to cooperate with your insurance company’s investigation. However, do not speak to another driver’s insurance company without talking to an attorney. This could affect your claim and make it more difficult to secure the compensation you need.
What If I Can’t Afford An Attorney?
Because we offer no-cost representation and only collect attorney fees if we recover compensation for you, you can afford an attorney even if you are struggling because of medical bills or missed work. Because retaining a lawyer is the best way to maximize your chances of a fair verdict or settlement, you can’t afford not to hire a lawyer. Because most personal injury firms have a similar fee arrangement, it is wise to find an attorney you trust to take care of you and your case while fighting for every dollar you deserve under the law.
More Questions About Your Car Accident Claim? Call Today For A Evaluation
If you are ready to talk about your case with a proven team of personal injury attorneys and take the first step toward a full recovery, please send us an email, or call 402-817-2717 or 800-655-9606 toll free. From our offices in Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines, we serve clients all over the states of Nebraska and Iowa.