In life, accidents happen daily with seemingly very little that can be done to prevent them completely. However, in certain cases, the actions of individuals, whether from malice or negligence, can cause harm to others. In such cases, the victims are within their rights to seek compensation if they feel that they have been subjected to pain and suffering.
Such circumstances require the services of a good personal injury lawyer who will fight for the victims until they get the claim settlement that they deserve, Tom Fowler Law is one such law firm that has a proven track record of representing hundreds of Des Moines, IA residents who have suffered a personal injury. With millions of dollars won in damages, Tom Fowler is the crème de la crème of Ankeny personal injury lawyers.
Personal injury cases tend to be straightforward affairs most of the time, with both parties wishing to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. Once in a while though, the responsible party or their insurance company may decide to take the matter to court, and it is at these times, especially, that the strength and fortitude of a personal injury attorney are tested.
No matter how difficult the situation might seem, if one finds themselves in need of an experienced personal injury attorney in Des Moines, IA, they should contact the legal team at Tom Fowler Law.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, IA, is more or less on par with the rest of the country, which is to say it is around 33% or a third of the awarded compensation. Personal injury attorneys do not normally charge a flat fee but have been known to lower their contingency fees in special cases. Generally, though, the cost of hiring a good lawyer is worth it considering the consequences of getting a claim dismissed without any damages awarded.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not every injury case is, by law, the result of someone else's carelessness. Sometimes an accident is just an accident. Knowing whether to seek compensation or not can be a bit difficult, especially when one is not sure what the law says about a particular circumstance. Times like these require a visit to the Tom Fowler Law firm for a free consultation to fully discuss the merits of the case.
Usually, personal injury attorneys will take the following types of cases:
Car Accidents
Before a claim can be pursued due to a car accident, the personal injury must be clearly demonstrated and this usually warrants a medical examination. Personal injury lawyers will handle the filing of police reports, witness statements, and doctor's reports, and take note of all medical expenses.
Truck Accidents
Although essentially car accidents, truck accidents are handled separately because of two main reasons:
The severity of a truck accident is usually much greater than a normal car accident.
Most states have separate laws concerning truck accidents and a personal injury lawyer has to be familiar with these laws to effectively pursue the case.
In the case of a truck accident, it is prudent to hire a personal injury law firm with a proven track record handling cases similar to this.
Bicycle Accidents
A lot of factors need to be considered when handling a bicycle accident case, especially these days with the stringent laws surrounding collisions with cyclists due to the likelihood of serious injuries. Factors such as the speed of the car, whether the cyclist was wearing proper gear, whether there was a cycle lane, and general visibility at the time of the accident all need to be determined before any damages can be claimed.
Animal Bites
Cases dealing with animal bites, especially if those animals are pets, tend to be some of the more emotionally charged personal injury cases that lawyers have to deal with. This however does not take away from the fact that if an animal causes pain and suffering, regardless of whether it was intentional or not, it is the responsibility of the owner to compensate the victim.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall cases account for one of the highest numbers of injuries and personal injury lawsuits in the Ankeny area. In situations where the negligence of a property owner has caused the victim to fall and injure themselves, the affected individual is entitled to fair compensation that covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the cause of the fall is under question, the victim can approach Tom Fowler Law firm for a free initial consultation.
Workers Compensation
In workplace accidents in which an employee is injured while executing the tasks mandated to them, they are free to open a personal injury case against their employer. Construction accidents, for example, account for a lot of workplace accidents reported in Ankeny, Iowa, and if it can be proven that the workers were not adequately protected while working, the employer is liable to pay huge damages.
Wrongful Death
No personal injury attorney relishes the prospect of dealing with a case involving a loved one's death due to the gravity of the situation. The seriousness of the case usually warrants a lot of independent research into personal injury law, and its implications on the merits of the case.
This is usually true in cases of medical malpractice, where a lawyer works, on behalf of surviving family members, to recover damages for persons killed due to a high degree of negligence by hospital staff.
How To Prepare for a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The steps taken in the aftermath of an accident have a huge impact on the chances of success in personal injury cases. A lot of evidence needs to be gathered while the details are still fresh in the minds of all those involved, and this information should be kept safe for use by personal injury lawyers. Here are a few things that should be done in preparation for a lawsuit:
Seek medical attention
Check if the guilty party has insurance
Obtain police reports and witness statements
Keep records of all medical bills
Seek legal representation
Hiring an experienced Ankeny personal injury lawyer with a good track record and attorney-client relationship will help expedite the process.
When the Responsible Party Has No Insurance
When the victim wishes to claim damages but the guilty party is uninsured, it is best to immediately acquire the services of a personal injury lawyer who knows how to deal with such a situation. In times like these, it is worth it to discuss with the lawyer during the free consultation whether pursuing the personal injury case is worth the effort.
There are other means to get compensated that do not involve an insurance company, such as being paid directly out of pocket or having the third party's assets seized until the legal issues are resolved. In any case, even in the absence of an insurance carrier, the personal injury lawyer should know other avenues to pursue in search of fair compensation for their clients.
Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Cases
From the day the incident in question occurs, the clock begins to tick, and the time window in which a personal injury claim can be made fast diminishes. in Des Moines, IA the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is two years from the day of the incident or three years in the case of wrongful death.
Two years might seem a long time, but there is a lot of work that needs to be done to build a strong case before a motion can be filed. The best course of action when personal injury is suspected is to seek legal assistance as soon as possible.
Tom Fowler Law Firm Can Help
With many years of experience helping clients in Des Moines, IA to fight for their legal rights, former US Marine, turned personal injury lawyer, Tom Fowler, is the best injury attorney in Des Moines. Insurance claims can be daunting if the groundwork, such as thorough investigation, has not been done properly.
The team at Tom Fowler Law firm knows this all too well, and that is how they have ended up with records of such high professional achievement compared to any other law firm in Ankeny, IA. Take them up on their offer for a free consultation, and see why these outstanding lawyers have built such a strong reputation.
Other Ankeny Practice Areas
Final Word
Anyone can have the misfortune of suffering a personal injury at one time or another, and when this happens it is important to know the right law firm to approach. A lot of firms practice law in Des Moines, IA, but not all of them can be sympathetic enough to help your cause. At Tom Fowler Law firm, no case is too small or too big to take.
Whether one is the victim or they are representing a loved one who has passed away, they can be assured that their case is in the right hands, and no stone will be left unturned until those at fault have answered for their actions.
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