If you have been in a workers’ compensation or personal injury accident you need to make sure it is reported properly to ensure you are able to recover any damages that may be available to you. Reporting accidents can also help to prevent another accident like the one you were involved in from happening to other people. Usually when an accident is reported it sparks an investigation to find out exactly what happened.  During an investigation a party may be found to be negligent which is also known as fault. For example, someone who speeds while driving, if the person speeding happens to lose control of their vehicle and crash into you causing an accident they should be held liable, because they should not have been speeding in violation of Iowa's traffic laws also known as rules of the road.

When you do make a report you should remember you need to be honest and thorough. Always remember to report only what you know about the accident. If you are asked a question and that you don’t know the answer to then simply say “I don’t know” do not exaggerate or make up things that never happened. The report of your accident can play a significant role in your case later down the road. You should also remember to make all your injuries known whether you feel minor pain in your neck or back from a car accident or you have a severe work injury such as a herniated disc. This way they will be included in the accident report and won’t be questioned later down the road if you need treatment for them. 

Also, keep in mind that it is rarely a good idea to give a recorded statement to the insurance company for the other driver, company or your employer.  Insurance adjustors are trained to ask you questions in such a way that it is more likely you will say something that will hurt your case.  For example, let's say you sustain a neck injury in a car accident and during a recorded statement the insurance adjustor asks you if you have ever had neck pain before.  You say "no" because you have never had neck pain like this before, but you previously saw a chiropractor or your family doctor for neck pain then this can significantly damages your case.

If you or someone you know has been injured in Iowa our injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair are here to help answer your questions. Our team of attorneys is dedicated to giving your case the personal attention that it needs. If you would like to learn more you can visit our injury website and take a look at the different books we offer to injured Iowans at No Cost or obligation or you can also Call Now at 1-800-707-2552 ext. 711- Work Comp. or ext 710- Car Accidents.