Truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences, leaving survivors struggling to overcome intense physical pain and immense financial pressure. Medical debt can accumulate quickly, while serious physical injuries can force you to take weeks, months, or even years away from work.
However, you do not have to accept uncertainty in place of a fair settlement. The Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO, has spent years fighting for the rights of Iowa truck accident victims. Our experienced legal team could help you or a loved one explore your options for effective legal relief, obtaining the compensation you need to rebuild your life and reclaim your independence.
Three Reasons You Need an Iowa Truck Accident Attorney
In the aftermath of an Iowa commercial vehicle collision, many accident victims make the mistake of thinking that the insurance company will provide reasonable compensation. However, claims against transportation companies can be incredibly complex, often involving multiple defendants and many moving parts, and insurance companies don't always offer fair settlements.
Consider these risks before picking up the phone to negotiate your own settlement.
Insurance Companies Don't Always Have Your Best Interests at Heart
Iowa has a fault-based insurance system. After an accident, victims are expected to file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company, which is responsible for paying reasonable damages.
However, insurance companies are for-profit enterprises. Although they may be legally obligated to cover accident-related damages, they rarely offer a fair settlement without first trying to minimize their losses. Some insurers fall back on bad-faith tactics, using victims' words, injuries, and health histories against them in a vain effort to protect their profits.
An experienced Iowa truck accident injury lawyer could help you navigate the complexities of an accident, even when an insurance company or adjuster seems intent on depriving you of your rights to a fair recovery.
The Truck Driver May Not Be Solely Liable for Your Accident
Even if the semi-truck driver's mistake caused your injuries, they may not be solely liable for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your Iowa truck crash, potential defendants could include any of the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A truck manufacturer or parts maker
- A cargo shipper
The Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO, could help you investigate the causes of your accident, including poor driver training, reckless corporate policies, and mechanical failure.
Semi-Truck Companies Can Afford a Fight—Can You?
Even small trucking companies often have significant insurance policies. Insurance companies are accountable only to their shareholders and can afford to delay negotiations until you agree to an unfairly low settlement.
Unfortunately, far too many people think that the only way to stand up to a multibillion-dollar company is by having enough money to pay a top-tier attorney. However, while competent counsel is often vital to prevailing in court, you should never be forced to pay out-of-pocket for an accident that was not your fault.
For instance, the Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop works exclusively on a contingency fee basis. We never ask our clients to pay upfront for our services, and we only accept payment as a percentage of any eventual settlement. If we cannot win your case, we do not get paid.
What to Look for in an Iowa Truck Crash Lawyer
Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer often makes the difference between a bad-faith settlement and a fair recovery.
Before you hire a lawyer, consider the following.
Experience
Every attorney has the same basic credentials. They have an undergraduate degree, went to law school, and passed the bar examination.
However, after law school, lawyers enter different types of practices. For example, some personal injury attorneys might exclusively represent car crash victims, while others may spend significantly more time litigating commercial vehicle claims.
Although many legal principles are transferable between fields, the interstate trucking industry is governed by a complex interconnection of laws and regulations. Your attorney should have practical experience fighting and winning truck accident lawsuits.
Client Testimonials
The Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop proudly publishes client reviews on our website. These reviews highlight our results and emphasize our compassion for every case.
Results
Since our founding in 2007, the Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO, has helped our clients in Iowa and across the region obtain millions of dollars in compensation from negligent drivers, transportation companies, and insurance companies.
