Fort Madison

Fighting for Your Right to Compensation

Getting into an accident caused by someone else’s negligence can be a very frightening experience. Not only are you likely facing extensive medical bills and a long recovery time, but you may also be losing money on property damage repairs, lost wages, loss of future income, and more. You and your family deserve compensation for the experience you have had. By working with a personal injury attorney, you can recover compensation while focusing on your mental and physical health.

Pursuing a personal injury claim is the best way to get a full and fair payout. Insurance companies make their money by denying and undervaluing claims, which can leave you feeling discouraged. Our law firm is here to fight for your rights and ensure you get the payment you deserve.

Our team at Cornell Injury Law has years of experience helping clients like you after a negligent accident. No matter what kind of case you have, we are confident we can help. Contact us today for a consultation by calling 319-946-4019.

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases?

Every personal injury case is different. Fortunately, our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in many different types of cases. If you’ve been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we are confident we can help you.
Our team of attorneys can assist with the following:

Dog Bites

Being attacked by an animal can lead to serious injuries, including permanent scarring and disfigurement. Dog owners are required to keep their animals restrained, especially if they are known to be vicious. If you or your child are a victim of a dog bite, our Fort Madison attorneys can help you.

Car Accidents

All drivers are required to follow the rules of the road to keep themselves and others safe. When a driver behaves recklessly or doesn’t obey traffic laws, it can cause severe or even fatal injuries. Our law office will help you get compensation for your property damage and medical bills.

Medical Malpractice

Hospital staff are required to give all patients the same level of care. When a doctor, nurse, or other hospital worker behaves negligently, it can cause new or worsened injuries or ailments. If you were injured by a medical worker, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.

Truck Accidents

Large trucks on the road are very dangerous, especially for the passenger cars around them. Being hit by a truck can lead to catastrophic and permanent injuries. Truck accidents can be complex, and liable parties could include the trucking company, the truck driver, and more.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles have fewer safety features than other vehicles do. When motorcycle riders are injured, they often face long-lasting symptoms and extensive medical treatment.

What Kinds of Injuries Do Victims Sustain?

There are many types of injuries you could sustain in an accident. Some injuries are minor and heal on their own, while others are severe and cause symptoms that last for years. Depending on the type of accident you were in, you may be facing multiple injuries with expensive medical bills.

Many personal injury victims suffer the following injuries:

• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the back or neck can result in spinal cord injuries. Depending on the severity of the accident, these injuries can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis
• Brain injuries: Many accidents involve victims hitting their heads. When the brain bounces against the skull, it can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries. These injuries are difficult to treat, and some symptoms can be permanent
• Burns: Burns are prone to infection and often cause permanent scarring. Depending on the severity of the burn, injured victims often require extensive medical treatment
• Amputation: Some injuries are so severe that they require losing a limb. An amputated leg or arm changes the way you live your life and complete daily tasks
• Back and neck injuries: Damage to the spine and ligaments can cause chronic pain, tingling, and numbness. Back and neck injuries may cause symptoms for years
• Broken bones: Breaking an arm, hand, leg, or foot is very common in a negligent accident. Severe breaks can require surgery to heal fully

How is Negligence Defined Under the Law?

No matter what type of personal injury claim you are pursuing, proving negligence is a key part of getting compensation. Negligence is defined as the following:

• The liable party owed you a duty of care
• The liable party breached that duty of care
• The breach led to your injuries
• Your injuries caused you to suffer damages

A “duty of care” is a duty that someone owes you to keep themselves and those around them safe. For instance, a driver on the road has a duty to follow all traffic laws to avoid getting into an accident. When you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, you might provide evidence that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, thereby breaching their duty of care.
Once that’s proven, you’ll then show evidence of how the accident led to your injuries. Finally, you’ll provide evidence of how much your injuries cost you in terms of both economic and non-economic damages. If you can prove all four elements of negligence, it is very likely that you’ll receive compensation in a personal injury claim.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive?

The ideal outcome of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for all the losses you have sustained. Losses, also called damages, include both economic and non-economic items. Some personal injury cases also involve punitive damages.
The compensation you could receive includes the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses with a specific dollar amount. You might use receipts, bills, and employment records to prove economic damages. They can include:

• Medical bills
• Medications, physical therapy appointments, and transportation to and from medical appointments
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Modifications to your home due to your injuries
• In-home care
• Property damage repair or replacement

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are emotional damages that have affected your well-being or your daily life. Because these damages are more subjective, our personal injury lawyers can help you calculate them. Non-economic damages often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are only awarded in cases when a defendant is found to have acted recklessly or with extreme disregard for human life. These damages are meant as a punishment to the defendant and a deterrent from repeating their actions in the future. Our personal injury attorneys can tell you if you are eligible for punitive damages based on the specifics of your case.

What Kind of Evidence Do You Need?

In a personal injury case, evidence to support your claim is always helpful. Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, there may be specific pieces of evidence we gather.
You can use evidence like:

• Photos and videos of the accident scene
• Photos of your injuries or property damage
• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Accident reports
• Police reports
• Employment records
• Injury diaries
• The more evidence you have of your accident and injuries, the better your claim will be supported. If you aren’t sure what evidence to gather or how to get it, our team can help you.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Having a personal injury attorney on your side is the best way to get full compensation. By working with an attorney, you can focus on resting and recovering while we handle the legal aspect of your case.

Our law firm is prepared to do the following:

• Investigate your case: We’ll spend time diving into the details of your claim to identify all liable parties
• Gather evidence: All evidence that supports your claim is helpful. We can gather evidence on your behalf, so you don’t have to
• Negotiate with an insurance carrier: Talking to an insurance company can be hard when you’re injured. We’ll handle all negotiations for you
• Take your case to court: A personal injury lawsuit might be the best way to recover compensation. If so, we’ll take your case to trial and present it before a judge

Contact Our Legal Team Today

At Cornell Injury Law, we know how challenging it can be to recover from your injuries while paying out of pocket for all of your expenses. Our team is prepared to fight for you until you get the compensation you deserve. For more information, call our law office at 319-946-4019.