Iowa Legal Issues Blog

Speaking with your insurance company after an Iowa car accident

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Being involved in a car accident is a stressful situation, and it can continue to be so for weeks or months after the accident occurred. Injuries that you sustained may be preventing you from being able to work, and, as a result, you might be suffering from lost wages and the heavy burden of medical costs.

When you have been involved in an accident in Iowa that has negatively affected your quality of life and damaged your financial situation, it is important to know the best way to react. It is essential to know your rights and understand how you should engage with your insurance company and lawyers.

3 things to do after a truck accident in Iowa

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Being involved in a collision with a truck in Iowa can be an extremely scary, and often a traumatic, experience. Trucks have a very large amount of force due to their sheer weight and speed. Therefore, truck drivers have the responsibility to be extremely safety-conscious, and they face more penalties for unsafe driving than drivers of ordinary vehicles do.

If you become involved in an accident involving a truck, it could be a complex situation and the likelihood is high that many cars were involved, in addition. It is essential that you act appropriately and collect as much evidence as you can at the scene. The following are three things that you should do immediately after an accident involving a truck.

Top 5 ways to prepare your kids for a crash

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

No one wants to think about getting into a car crash with their kids in the vehicle. The reality is, though, that you don't get to decide when a crash happens. Your children could be present, and they need to have an education on what to do in that situation.

A crash is traumatic and dangerous for everyone involved, but with some preparation, your child can know what to do if you get into a wreck.

Anesthesia errors in children in Iowa

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

When you admit your child for a surgery, you are effectively putting your child's life in another person's hands, which is a very brave thing to do. You are putting all of your faith in the abilities of the surgeon, nurses and the anesthesiologist on hand. But sometimes, things can go wrong.

If your child was given the incorrect amount of anesthetic, this could have the potential to harm them. It can be difficult to successfully estimate the amount of anesthetic to administer on young children. However, when an error is made, it could cause panic and trauma, and have the potential to bring serious injury or even death.

Top 6 ways to prevent a car accident

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Monday, February 19, 2018.

The more time you spend on the road the more comfortable you'll become with your driving ability and vehicle. Of course, this doesn't mean you can get lazy in regard to your safety.

As a driver, it's important that you never do anything that will increase the likelihood of an accident. Here are six of the top ways to prevent a crash:

Stay out of the fast lane. Unless you absolutely need to pass another vehicle, it's best to drive in the right lane.
Keep your eyes on the road at all times. There are many distractions in your vehicle, from your cellphone to passengers, but you can't let these get in your way. You need to focus on the task at hand and nothing else.
Watch for vehicles in your blind spot. You need to be aware of what's going on around you at all times, which includes any vehicles that may be in your blind spot. Also, do your best to avoid driving in another person's blind spot.
Take the weather into consideration. When conditions are less than ideal, such as rain or strong winds, you need to alter your approach. This means slowing down, leaving more space between your vehicle and others and being patient.
Keep both hands on the wheel. It's easy to take a hand off the wheel and relax, but you never know what could happen as you make your way down the road. With both hands on the wheel, you'll always feel like you're in control.
Don't drive at night. There are times when this isn't possible, but you should do your best to stay off the road after the sun goes down.

3 of the top risk factors for a distracted driving crash

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.

You probably already know that distracted driving ranks among the top risk factors for a major accident or collision. Along with intoxication, speeding and exhaustion, distraction is a serious source of danger on the roads that places everyone who drives at risk.

If you already do your best to avoid distractions while behind the wheel, that's one way to reduce your personal risk for involvement in a distracted driving crash. However, the decisions of other drivers could still place you and your passengers at increased risk of a collision or similar accident. Thankfully, there are certain warning signs to watch out for.

Driving in the snow: Easier said than done

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Friday, January 19, 2018.

You should never assume that driving in the snow is the same as driving in dry conditions. If you take an identical approach, you're increasing the chance of being part of an accident.

The winter months will bring many changes to your life. One of the most important is an adjustment to how you drive. Here are some top tips for driving safely when the snow begins to fall:

Be slow with everything you do. For example, you don't want to accelerate too quickly, as this can lead you to spin your wheels and lose traction. The same holds true when you need to bring your vehicle to a stop.
Take your time. When the conditions are poor, you can't afford to be in a hurry. The faster you drive the greater chance there is of an accident. It's best to leave yourself extra time to reach your destination.
Don't stop when driving up a hill. This is a mistake you should try to avoid, if at all possible. If you stop when going up a slope, it may be impossible to start back up.
Stay at home if you don't like what you see. If the conditions are too bad, the best thing you can do is stay at home until the roads clear. This may lead you to change your plans, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Sharing the road with commercial trucks

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Monday, January 8, 2018.

Large commercial trucks are so prevalent on our roads and highways, that many consumer drivers do realize how dangerous these huge road beast actually are. While all car accidents hold the potential for serious damage and physical harm, these risks multiply many times over when an accident involves a commercial truck.

For many drivers, the problem is that they simply do not understand the limitations of commercial trucks when navigating the road. These vehicles cannot maneuver with the ease and precision that even a large consumer vehicle enjoys, but many consumer drivers treat them as if they can stop, turn, or react to changes in traffic as easily as an SUV.

3 tips for handling the insurance company after a wreck

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

Dealing with a car insurance company after an accident, whether it is yours or the other driver's, usually takes some delicacy. One wrong move and you can create some serious difficulties in the claim process. For example, if you say you have whiplash, the insurance company is going to start looking at your role in the accident with a more critical eye and suspect you of exaggerating your injuries.

Before you have to call a car insurance company to report an accident, take the time to brush up on the dos and don'ts. The tips below can help you avoid some common mistakes when you talk to the insurance company.

If you ride a motorcycle, watch out for these hazards

On behalf of Ball, Kirk & Holm posted in blog on Wednesday, December 20, 2017.

Riding a motorcycle in Waterloo, or anywhere for that matter, is dangerous. But, the thrill and the freedom is part of the reason most people choose to ride a bike in the first place. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that riding a motorcycle is generally less expensive than driving a car. Unfortunately, it's usually the people driving cars that pose the greatest threat to those who prefer two wheels instead of four.

In addition to cars, there are several other hazards that often play a significant role in motorcycle accidents. It is useful to find out about the common dangers that usually cause motorcycle crashes.