It takes only a few seconds for a car accident to unfold, but the effects can last a lifetime. You may not be able to work, leaving you unable to pay mounting medical bills and provide for your family. Following a serious accident, it is imperative that you know how to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. An experienced lawyer can help you pursue a personal injury claim against the person who caused your accident, giving you the resources you need to move forward in life.
At the Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, P.C., our Council Bluffs car accident lawyers are aggressive, results-focused advocates for injured victims and their families. If you or your loved one was hurt in any type of motor vehicle collision, we are here to hold the insurance company accountable – so that you can maximize your compensation. For a free, no commitment consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney, please contact our Council Bluffs law office today.
Our Council Bluffs auto accident attorney wants our clients to recover as fully as possible from their injuries, physically, emotionally, and financially. To that end, we help our clients receive proper medical care for their injuries. It is important to have injuries properly evaluated by medical professionals. Severe injuries always require immediate emergency medical attention. Beyond that, many common auto accident injuries – back injuries, whiplash, concussions, etc. – occur with a delayed onset. Make sure you get yourself evaluated as soon as possible after a crash.
Your health and safety always come first. Though, seeing a doctor is always a required step in the legal claims process. In both Iowa and Nebraska, you cannot bring an effective car accident injury claim unless you have medical records that confirm the existence and severity of your injuries. When serious injuries have occurred, we often work with professionals such as life plan analysts, counselors, psychiatrists, and economists to gain a clear understanding of the injuries and the impact they will have on your life.
With deep experience representing injured victims, we have the resources, skill, and experience needed to help clients after any vehicle crash. No matter the cause, nature, or severity of your collision, our Council Bluffs auto accident lawyers are standing by, ready to take immediate action to protect your rights. Along with other types of motor vehicle collisions, we help clients with:
These accidents can cause serious injuries, including brain injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, and broken bones. If you lost a loved one to a negligent driver, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim. We know that no amount of compensation can replace what you have lost, but it can at least give you the means to begin moving forward.
Were you injured in a car crash in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, or elsewhere in Southwest Iowa? If so, it is crucial that you understand your rights and duties under state law.
Here are four key things to know about the auto accident laws in Iowa:
1. Most Collisions Should be Reported: If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision in Iowa, you must stop your vehicle and exchange information with the other parties. Most crashes should be reported to law enforcement. In Iowa, a car accident needs to be reported to the police if there is more than $1,500 in total property damage or if there are any physical injuries.
2. A Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Injury Claims: There is a limited amount of time to bring a car accident injury claim. Under Iowa law (Iowa Code § 614.1), car accident injury claims are regulated by a two year statute of limitations. Do not wait to get started with your case: Call a Council Bluffs car accident lawyer right away.
3. Auto Accident Liability is Based on Fault in Iowa: Iowa is an at-fault auto accident jurisdiction. The party – driver, truck company, vehicle maker, etc. – that is found to be responsible for causing the crash through negligence can be held liable for the damages suffered by other parties.
4. Car Accident Claims are Subject to a Comparative Negligence Standard: Not all car crashes are caused solely by one party. Under the Iowa law (Iowa Code § 668.3(1)(b)), all parties to a car accident will be held legally responsible for their proportionate share of the fault. If you are found partially responsible for your own collision, it will reduce your compensation. Do not get unfairly blamed: Make sure your accident is thoroughly investigated by an experiences Council Bluffs attorney.
Were you hurt in an automobile collision in Omaha, Douglas County, or in the surrounding area in Eastern Nebraska? If so, your rights and responsibilities are largely governed by Nebraska state law.
Here are four important things to understand about the car accident liability laws in Nebraska:
1. All Injury Crashes Must be Reported: Under Nebraska law, all motor vehicle accidents that results in physical injury to any party must be reported to law enforcement. If you or your loved one is hurt in a collision, make sure it is reported to the police right away.
2. A Four-Year Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims: Nebraska has a more forgiving statute of limitations than Iowa. Under state law (Nebraska Revised Statutes § 25-207), injured victims have four years from the date of the crash to file a claim. That being said, you will want to get started right away. Call an Omaha, NE, car accident lawyer for help.
3. Nebraska is a Tort (At-Fault) State: Car accident liability is based on fault in Nebraska. The driver, truck company, or other party that caused a motor vehicle crash through negligence (carelessness or recklessness) will bear culpability for the damages suffered by other parties.
4. Car Crashes are Subject to Comparative Negligence: Nebraska uses a standard of comparative negligence (Nebraska Revised Statutes § 25-21). Similar to in Iowa, liability for a collision is apportioned based on each party’s level of blame for causing the accident. Every crash in Eastern Nebraska requires an in depth investigation by an experienced Omaha personal injury attorney.
A serious car accident can put a significant financial burden on a family. You need to be able to access financial compensation to pay bills and support yourself and your loved ones. In Iowa and Nebraska, injured victims have the right to hold the at-fault party (and their insurer) liable for both monetary and non-monetary damages. However, it is often difficult for people to get the full and just financial compensation that they deserve. The big insurance companies are driven to protect their own profits. At the Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, our Council Bluffs car accident lawyers go above and beyond to help injured victims maximize their settlement or verdict, including for:
Motor vehicle accidents claims are notoriously complex. To make matters even more challenging, the big insurance companies fight hard to limit their own legal liability. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize claims to protect their own bottom lines. At the Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, P.C., our firm strives to obtain full and fair compensation for all medical bills, injuries, and other financial losses. When that requires taking on insurers, we do not hesitate to do so, and we do it effectively. Among other things, our Council Bluffs car accident lawyers are ready to:
At the Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, P.C., our Council Bluffs car accident lawyer is ready to protect your rights. If you or your loved one was involved in a car accident, you need strong legal representation. Contact us today to set up a free, no obligation initial appointment with an attorney. We represent motor vehicle accident victims in Council Bluffs, Omaha, and throughout the surrounding communities in Iowa and Nebraska.
Our law firm has a long record of success obtaining benefits for injured workers. To arrange a free initial consultation with a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer, call (712) 323-0999. You can also contact our Council Bluffs law firm online.
The big insurance companies do not make the legal claims process easy on injury victims. Our mission is to make sure that you and your family have access to the resources that you need to protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery. At the Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, P.C., we provide client-oriented services to injured people. If you have been injured in an auto accident, this client-oriented service can make a world of difference. We encourage regular, weekly communication with our clients. We encourage this type of communication because it can maximize compensation and physical recovery.
