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Car Accident FAQ
1. If I hit someone from behind, is the accident my fault?
Not necessarily. There is no rule or law in Iowa that says if you hit someone from behind you are always at fault for a car accident. There are situations where you could hit someone from behind and it is the other drivers fault.
For example, if the other driver has a stop sign and you don't, and the other driver pulls out in front of you without giving you time to brake and avoid the accident, it is most likely the other drivers fault.
Or if you are following the other driver at a safe speed and distance, and the other driver slams on their brakes without reason or warning, the accident may be the fault of the other driver.
If you are wondering whether a car accident you were involved in was your fault, the best way to find out is to call an attorney. Our firm offers free consultations. You can contact us at 515-244-4999 during regular business hours, or submit an inquiry through the "CONTACT" page of our website 24/7.
2. If someone hits me from behind, is the accident their fault?
Not necessarily. There is no rule or law in Iowa that says if you are hit from behind the other driver is always at fault for a car accident. In many situations it would be the other driver's fault, but there are exceptions to this rule.
For example, if the you have a stop sign and the other driver doesn't, and you pull out in front of the other driver without giving them time to brake and avoid the accident, you may be at fault.
However, all drivers have a responsibility to follow other vehicles at a safe speed and distance, and pay attention to the traffic in front of them. If you were hit from behind, it is often because the other driver was not following these rules.
If you are wondering whether a car accident you were involved in was your fault, the best way to find out is to call an attorney. Our firm offers free consultations. You can contact us at 515-244-4999 during regular business hours, or submit an inquiry through the "CONTACT" page of our website 24/7.
3. What should I do when an insurance company contacts be after an accident?
The most important rule when speaking with an insurance company is to always tell the truth. If you don't know an answer to a question, or you can't remember what happened, you should say this. Do not guess and do not speculate.
Other tips and pointer:
- Always be calm and polite. The insurance adjuster is just doing their job, so there is no reason to be hostile or to get angry.
- Ask them if they are recording the call. Most insurance adjusters will tell you if they are recording, but it is always a good idea to ask just in case.
- Take notes during the call, both about what types of questions they ask, and what your answers are. Also, be sure to write down the person's name and the company they work for.
- If they ask you about your injuries, make sure you tell them about all injuries and symptoms you have. Don't exaggerate or embellish, but be thorough. For example, if your back and neck are very sore, but your knee is only a little sore, be sure to tell them about all three injuries.
The most important thing to remember is that you should not agree to any settlements without consulting a lawyer. This is especially true when you were injured in the car accident, because insurance companies do not always value your personal injury claims accurately or fairly.
If you have questions about a recent car accident you were involved in, and about how to handle the insurance companies, the best thing to do is to call an attorney. Our firm offers free consultations. You can contact us at 515-244-4999 during regular business hours, or submit an inquiry through the "CONTACT" page of our website 24/7.
If you are injured in any way, or are having pain in your neck or back, yes-absolutely. If your injuries are not severe or life threatening, you do not necessarily have to go to the Emergency Room. But if you are in pain after you accident, you should go to a doctor right away. A walk-in clinic or your family doctor are good resources if you have non-life-threatening injuries.
Sometimes we won't start feeling any pain until a day or so after the accident. This is common especially with muscular injuries like whiplash or back pain. But once you start having pain you should go to the doctor right away.
It is important to go to the doctor if you are injured for two key reason. First, and most importantly, if there is treatment available for your injuries you want to start treatment right away. If you delay seeking medical treatment, this can hurt your recovery process. Second, you also want to document your injuries in case you make a claim against the other driver for your injuries. Most insurance companies will want to see your medical records before they make any serious offers, and it may hurt your case if you have no medical records relating to your accident.
If you have questions about your medical care from a recent car accident you were involved in, the best thing to do is to call an attorney. Our firm offers free consultations. You can contact us at 515-244-4999 during regular business hours, or submit an inquiry through the "CONTACT" page of our website 24/7.
