What to Expect in an Iowa City Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you were injured by someone else’s carelessness, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Current and future medical bills, loss of income and earnings potential, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are all considered in the calculation of your injuries. The Iowa City personal injury attorneys of Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. can help you prepare your personal injury lawsuit in Iowa City and pursue the settlement you so deserve.

Determining liability

Preparation for an Iowa City injury lawsuit involves three parts. First, you must determine who was at fault for the accident and determine the extent of negligence. If you were involved in an accident, you will want to keep track of the details of your accident. These may include what lead up to the event, what happened during the event, who witnessed the event, and what you said and did before, during, and after the event.

Your attorney and the other party’s insurance adjuster or attorney will perform investigations of the accident and collect evidence to determine fault and negligence. It is best to share your recollections and notes only with your attorney and provide just your contact information to the other party’s insurance company or attorney. Seek the advice of your attorney before giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or other attorney to avoid any chance of harming your lawsuit’s or settlement’s outcome.  Many personal injury settlements in Iowa City have been greatly reduced due to issues regarding negligence and fault.

Determining damages

Money damages are normally measured by what a jury would consider a reasonable and fair award for your medical expenses, loss of earnings, and personal injuries. The severity of your injuries, the degree of negligence attributed to the other party, and the long term effect of the accident on your life all contribute to the amount of your Iowa City personal injury settlement.

Generally, you will have to prove your damages by comparing your life before the accident to your life after the accident. If you can objectively show how significant your injuries are, you will have a better chance of reaching a favorable personal injury settlement.

Determining source of collection

The last step in the preparation of your lawsuit or settlement is to determine who will be able to pay you for your injuries. In most instances, if the other party is insured, his or her insurance company is responsible for payment. However, in cases where there is no insurance or if you were injured by willful misconduct or a criminal act that is excluded from insurance policies, you may have to collect from the individual who injured you.  Our lawyers have handled many Iowa City personal injury lawsuits and can help you collect damages from the appropriate party or parties.

To pursue compensation for your Iowa City personal injury law suit, reach out to Meardon, Sueppel & Downer P.L.C. by calling us at (888) 222-0814 or contacting us via e-mail.