Understanding Fair Compensation

Robert Stahle • February 1, 2017

Personal Injury Compensation Claims - Sioux City Law Firm

Compensation factors affecting personal injury in Sioux City or South Sioux City

Being involved in an accident or incident that results in a personal injury can be an overwhelming event. From physical harm to financial loss, such as loss of employment, healing from a personal injury takes place on both a physical and mental basis. Fortunately, there are laws in place that allow you to receive compensation for a personal injury; however, it is pertinent to keep in mind that there are multiple factors that play into how much compensation you are actually due. Understanding these factors will help you assess whether or not you are receiving the full amount you owed. As with any type of personal injury compensation claim, it is best to have it filed by a qualified attorney.

Factors affecting personal injury compensation claims

Before we look at the specific factors that affect a compensation claim, it is important for you to understand the difference between a higher multiplier and a lower multiplier. A higher multiplier generally results from factors that are considered serious, such as a head injury. A lower multiplier usually results from less serious injuries, such as a sprain or bruise. If your personal injury has factors that lead to a higher multiplier, this tends to mean it is worth more in terms of compensation.

Factors that point toward a higher multiplier are fairly serious in nature. Take for example that you suffered head trauma during the accident. This factor will undoubtedly lead to a higher multiplier. Other types of factors that are deemed to suffice for a higher multiplier include:

Broken bones
Joint injury
Wounds
Nerve damage
Vertebrae injury
Long recovery period
Emotional distress
Daily life disruptions

Lower multiplier factors also determine the total overall worth of your compensation, and may include any of the following:

No medication needed to treat the resulting injury
Medical expenses that are not needed for treatment, rather they are for diagnosing
Soft tissue injury, including sprains, bruising, or strains
No permanent injury
No emotional injury
No physical injury
Short recovery period

Additional factors affecting the compensation you are owed for a personal injury

You will likely receive a higher settlement for compensation of a personal injury if you can prove you were at no fault for the injury sustained. Your cooperation and calmness accompanied with the claims and settlement process will also play a role. Additionally, if the at-fault party is not sympathetic toward the injury you sustained, this will also likely lead to a higher settlement. More so, if you have witnesses who can bolster your case, this will be of help.

Factors that will result in a lower payout may include being able to prove you some way share in the blame of the accident. Furthermore, proving that you are impatient for the claim to be settled can have a negative impact. And lastly, if there are witnesses who do not bolster your case, rather they bolster the side of the at-fault party, this may negatively impact how much compensation that is due to you.

If you have sustained a personal injury in Sioux City or South Sioux City, please call a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney today.

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How Drunk Driving Accident Victims Can Maximize Compensation With Legal Help

By Robert Stahle • June 11, 2025

When you’re injured by a drunk driver, the physical trauma is often only the beginning. Medical appointments, hospital stays, and prescription medications can last for weeks, months, or even years. You may be unable to work. You may lose your vehicle. And the emotional toll—fear, anxiety, depression—can weigh heavily on you and your family. Unfortunately, many accident victims never receive the compensation they truly need to recover. Insurance companies are skilled at downplaying injuries, undervaluing claims, and pushing quick settlements. These early offers often only cover short-term costs—and leave victims with nothing for long-term consequences. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a personal injury attorney who understands how to fight for your full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients throughout Iowa and Nebraska recover the financial support they deserve after being hit by drunk drivers. Here’s how having legal representation can make a difference: 1. Understanding the Full Value of Your Claim A serious injury isn’t just about your ER bill. A strong legal claim must account for: Follow-up medical care, physical therapy, and surgeries Future medical treatment or long-term care Mental health services for trauma, PTSD, or anxiety Lost wages and reduced ability to earn income Property damage and vehicle replacement Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life Without legal help, you may never even know you’re entitled to compensation for these elements—let alone how to calculate their true cost. Our attorneys work closely with doctors, financial experts, and accident specialists to build a comprehensive case that reflects the full scope of your losses. 2. Pursuing Punitive Damages In Iowa and Nebraska, courts may award punitive damages in drunk driving cases. Unlike compensatory damages (which are designed to cover your losses), punitive damages are intended to punish the offender for particularly reckless or egregious behavior and deter others from doing the same. These damages can significantly increase the value of your claim—but you need an experienced attorney to prove that the driver’s actions warrant them. We know how to present evidence of impairment, prior offenses, and other aggravating factors that strengthen your case. 3. Exploring Additional Sources of Compensation Sometimes, the drunk driver’s insurance policy won’t cover the full cost of your damages. In those cases, we explore: Your own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage Dram shop liability (if a bar, restaurant, or event overserved the driver) Third-party liability (in rare cases, the driver’s employer or vehicle owner may also share responsibility) Our team works to leave no stone unturned when identifying all potential sources of recovery. 4. Standing Up to the Insurance Companies Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. Their job is to pay out as little as possible. Without a lawyer, they may take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge or pressure you into a fast settlement. With Fitch & Stahle in your corner, you don’t have to deal with their tactics. We handle all communication, submit all documentation, and push aggressively for the settlement you deserve. And if the insurance company won’t cooperate? We’re ready to take your case to court. If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver in Iowa or Nebraska, don’t let the insurance company decide what your recovery is worth. Contact Fitch & Stahle Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. Let us help you move forward—with the compensation and justice you deserve.

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Drunk Driving Accident in Iowa or Nebraska

By Robert Stahle • June 6, 2025

Drunk driving accidents are among the most devastating types of crashes—and the most preventable. Every time someone chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol, they not only break the law, but they also endanger innocent lives. When you’re the victim of one of these reckless acts, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. Many accident victims assume that if the other driver was arrested for DUI, the case will resolve itself quickly and fairly. After all, if the police have proof that the driver was drunk, what else is there to fight about? The reality is far more complex. Even when intoxication is clear, recovering compensation is rarely straightforward. Insurance companies are primarily concerned with protecting their bottom line. They may admit the drunk driver was at fault but still dispute the amount of damages you’re owed. They may claim your injuries aren’t as severe as you say or argue that you had pre-existing conditions. In some cases, they may even try to shift partial blame to you. That’s why hiring an experienced drunk driving accident attorney is so critical. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we represent clients throughout Iowa and Nebraska who have been harmed by drunk drivers. Our attorneys know how to build strong legal cases backed by evidence, expert testimony, and strategic negotiation. We don’t just take the word of the insurance company—we conduct our own investigations, obtain police and toxicology reports, interview witnesses, and, when necessary, work with accident reconstruction professionals to determine exactly what happened and who’s responsible. Beyond proving liability, our goal is to make sure every client receives the full amount of compensation they’re entitled to under the law. That includes not only current medical expenses and lost wages but also: Future medical care (surgeries, rehab, medications) Lost future earning capacity Pain and suffering Mental and emotional trauma Property damage Punitive damages when applicable In particularly egregious cases, we may also pursue compensation from third parties under Iowa or Nebraska’s dram shop liability laws . If a bar, restaurant, or even a private event served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or underage, that establishment could be held partially liable for the damages. Dealing with injuries, doctors, bills, and the trauma of the crash is hard enough. You shouldn’t also have to navigate legal paperwork, deadlines, and difficult insurance adjusters on your own. We provide personal, compassionate, and aggressive legal representation—so you can focus on healing while we focus on justice. Remember: The other driver’s arrest or conviction does not guarantee you fair compensation. Civil and criminal cases are separate, and only a personal injury claim will secure the financial support you need to recover and rebuild your life. If you or a loved one has been hit by a drunk driver in Sioux City or the surrounding areas of Iowa and Nebraska, don’t wait. Call Fitch & Stahle Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’ll help you hold the drunk driver—and their insurance company—fully accountable.