Question 1

Why Hire Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, PLLC After an Auto Accident?

Accepted Answer

The car accidents attorneys at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, PLLC believe in providing honest, practical, and timely advice, which will allow you to focus on recovery and reduce the stress that comes with an accident claim or lawsuit. Our law firm has experience dealing with insurance companies, as well as handling all court proceedings. We will always ensure your rights are protected—whether you want to bring your case to trial or come to a resolution through settlement negotiations. You deserve a settlement and outcome that is fair and just. We understand that no two car accident cases are the same, which is why no two clients will ever be treated the same. Your case is unique and our team will thoroughly examine your case to get you the best possible resolution. We care about the outcome of your case and about helping you through the legal process. PLLC are ready to meet with you to discuss your case, whether you choose to retain us or not. We offer all potential clients an initial free consultation. We want you to receive the assistance and guidance that is right for you in order to make an informed and educated decisions about your future. Additionally, we can also help file a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who was involved in a fatal car accident. Our car accident attorneys can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their estate.

Question 2

What Can a Car Accident Attorney Do for You?

Accepted Answer

If you have been injured in an automobile accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Throughout the process, an attorney will represent your interests and will be committed to defending your rights.  A motor vehicle accident attorney might be incredibly beneficial to your car accident injury claim. These are just a few of the legal services offered to car accident victims:  Conduct settlement discussion with the insurance company: the insurance company will generally try to take advantage of you because they never want to lose money. Handling the negotiations on your own can be stressful and may result in a lower reward than letting an attorney handle the insurance adjusters. Hold the responsible party liable: not all accidents are cut-and-dry. Sometimes, there can be more than one party responsible for your injuries. For example, there could be more than one driver involved, the car that caused the accident could have malfunctioned, which means the manufacturer or mechanic could be at fault, a pedestrian could be liable for your injuries, or other parties could also be liable for some or all of your injuries. Determine the damage award for your injuries: if proper documentation is not kept, it can be difficult to prove all damages that were incurred from the accident. An attorney can request these records and also hire professional experts to help determine the true value for your injuries. The hardest damage to prove is pain and suffering, but a skilled Iowa personal injury lawyer will have no trouble coming up with an exact figure to claim. Settlement negotiations: not only can an attorney help with insurance decisions, but they can also negotiate a settlement with the opposing party. This is important and can help avoid excessive or unnecessary court costs. Apply the proper laws and regulations: a personal injury lawyer is well-versed with the personal injury laws surrounding a car accident claim and they will be able to utilize the personal injury laws to provide you with a proper defense for a successful outcome./li> You are not required to hire an attorney to file an auto accident claim, however, it is highly recommended that you consult with an Iowa personal injury attorney before speaking to the insurance company. It is especially imperative that you hire an attorney if you have suffered serious injuries or damage, if the other driver is uninsured, if the insurance company refuses your claim, or if any additional documents have been requested.  It is always in your best interest to hire an attorney if you want the best outcome possible. An experienced Iowa car accident attorney will fight to get you a favorable outcome and fair compensation.

Question 3

What to Do After a Car Crash?

Accepted Answer

After a car accident, your safety should be the number one priority. There are certain precautions that can be taken in order to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone at the scene. The following tips can be useful if you are involved in an accident:  Check yourself for any injuries and call 911 Check on your passengers and see if others have been injured Move to a safe location Wait for help to arrive Take pictures of the scene Exchange information with the other driver or drivers Get a copy of the police report and information from any witnesses When you obtain the information from the other driver, make sure you get their full name, insurance information, make and model of the car, license plate number, and the location of the accident. Additionally, take as many pictures as you can to properly document the accident—this will help when proving who was at fault.

Question 4

How to File a Car Accident Claim in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

According to Iowa law, if you have been involved in a car accident that resulted in injury or death you must report the accident as soon as possible, which can be done by calling the local police. Furthermore, unless your local law enforcement agency files their own report, any accident in Iowa that results in death, injury, or property damage of $1,500 or more must be documented on an Iowa Accident Report form. If you do not file a report within 72 hours, your driving privileges will be suspended.  Additionally, insurance information coverage must be provided. Failure to provide proof of insurance coverage will result in a suspension of your Iowa driver’s license.  The next step would be to decide if you want to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and whether you would like to meet a resolution by settlement or trial. Generally, all claims will start with settlement negotiations. However, if you are unhappy with the settlement offer, your attorney can prepare your case for trial. Settlement conferences are not mandatory in Iowa, and you can choose to use the court process and skip settlement discussions.

Question 5

What Damages Can You Collect in a Car Accident Claim?

Accepted Answer

In Iowa, there are no limitations on the damages you can collect in an accident. However, there is one circumstance where your damages can be limited and that is if you are found to be partly at fault for the accident (modified comparative fault law).  Economic and non-economic damages are the most common types of damages recoverable after a car accident. Non-economic damages include expenditures that are less quantifiable, such as:  disability disfigurement future earning potential pain and suffering While economic damages include costs that are more calculable, like:  auto repair future medical bills and other medical expenses lost wages past medical expenses Typically, economic damages will be measured through information found in various documents, quotes, or receipts.

Question 6

What If You Were in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

Accepted Answer

It can be time-consuming and difficult to sue the other driver for damages to cover any medical costs or repair costs if they do not have any—or adequate—coverage. That is where this optional insurance coverage can prove to be vitally important to save you time and money.  Even though uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is not required in Iowa, you should still consider purchasing it. In Iowa, an average of 11.3% of drivers on the road do not have motor vehicle insurance, which means that if you get into an accident, the other driver has a 1 in 9 chance of not having coverage.  Insurance companies in Iowa must have the option of giving drivers the choice to buy uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at a minimum of $20,000 a person and $40,000 per accident. Most policies will automatically have this coverage and you will have to opt-out in writing to not have UM/UIM coverage.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

PERSONAL INJURIES

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

TYPES OF WORK INJURIES

WORKERS COMPENSATION

IMMIGRATION LAW

Practice Areas