Car Accident Lawyer Iowa

Seeking Recovery After a Car Accident

When you have been in a car accident that was not your fault, you need to speak with our Iowa car accident lawyer. We understand the trauma that you have gone through and know that it can be extremely easy to have racing thoughts and anxiety after a car accident. However, when someone else’s negligence caused the car accident to occur, there are certain steps you can take to help get compensation after the accident. Road safety starts with you. You must know how to drive defensively because even if someone else is unsafe on the road, you increase your chances of getting to and from your location unharmed. However, accidents cannot always be avoided, even if you are driving carefully. When this is the case, contact an attorney to discuss how we can represent you with a free consultation. Contact Des Moines Injury Law today.

Understanding Damages

Do you actually know the full worth of your claim? Do you understand both economic and non-economic damages, as well as future prospective damages? Has your injuries left you unable to perform your job duties? Do you suffer from PTSD or depression that is a result of the accident? Perhaps you believe the driver acted with malicious intent. In this case, punitive damages may be available. 

No number or value is made up on a whim. Everything that you attempt to recover is backed up by well-documented evidence. This is another reason why it is so important to have a leading car accident lawyer in Iowa on your side. Without a lawyer, you could miss out on thousands of dollars that are owed to you.

Important Factors to Consider in Your Case

Many things can affect the ability to reach a settlement or verdict. Some of these include:

• How complicated your case is
• How many vehicles were involved
• Who was at fault
• Whether the insurance company is strongly denying what happened
• How severe your injuries are
• The extent of property damage
• The strength of any available evidence
• Whether you are finished with treatment
• What the prospective care might be (if any)

We understand you would like to receive compensation as soon as possible. Not only may you be unable to work, but you might be dealing with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills. The financial burden caused by the accident may be overwhelming – so much so that your recovery could be hindered. You might worry about what the future holds. When you know the accident was preventable, but happened because of the careless actions of another person, your feelings about everything may be significantly heightened. 

The last thing you want to do is accept a fast settlement from the insurance adjuster. Keep in mind the adjuster may be telling you the right things at the right time to convince you to accept and move on. This is very common with people who are desperate and don’t understand the full extent of their losses. We know of many people who accepted a settlement before their treatment was finished or fully realized what the extent of their injuries were. When a settlement is accepted, you will not be able to recover anything else. For example, if you accept $10,000 only to find out that your current medical bills are $8,000 and you’ve just been told you need a $30,000 surgery, you may be forced to pay out of pocket for your losses. It is for this reason you should trust a car accident lawyer in Iowa to help you. Expenses and losses that may be covered include

• Your medical treatment
• Your prospective medical treatment
• Your lost wages or loss of income
• Property damage
• Non-economic damages

Many lawyers will encourage the victim to complete all treatment or have a doctor create a future treatment plan before settling a case. This ensures you recover what you need and deserve. Of course, this could slow down the process of the claim, but it will be worthwhile. 

Having testimony from any witnesses who saw the accident can also be imperative to your claim. You want to ensure if there were any other drivers or pedestrians nearby who saw what happened that you get their name and contact information before leaving the scene. 

As a car accident lawyer Iowa resident’s respect, the average case is settled within 1 year. However, this can vary and be more or less. We would recommend getting started as soon as possible to avoid any delays or issues regarding the statute of limitations.

Tips to Remember Before You Drive

The average American drives tens of thousands of miles each year. Since it is an essential part of our daily lives, it is easy to take safety on the road for granted. The cases that they’ve successfully handled have given them insight into the realities of the road. The roads and highways can be dangerous places, but knowing what to do and what not to do can reduce many of the dangers. Keep these things in mind to keep yourself and your family safe on the road.

• Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving 

Our team has represented many clients who were injured at the hands of distracted drivers. Distracted driving includes activities like making phone calls, sending text messages, and consuming food items behind the wheel. You may be surprised to learn that distractions cause more accidents than any other circumstance in the United States. With so much going on behind the wheel already, minimizing distractions is critical to road safety. 

• Speed Limits Are There for a Reason

Injuries caused by speeding drivers are a frequent reason people need a car accident lawyer in Iowa. Speeding is such a problem that it is the third leading cause of accidents in the United States. Driving at high speed significantly reduces the driver’s time to react to unexpected occurrences. Additionally, going too fast makes it far more difficult to navigate turns and tight corners. This is especially true at night or in less-than-ideal weather conditions like rain, snow, or ice. 

• Driving While Intoxicated Can Be Deadly

If there is one behavior that is unacceptable under all circumstances, it is drunk driving. Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol drastically increases the odds of serious injuries and fatalities. Drunk drivers make the road a more dangerous place for us all. 

• Know Your Rights Is Important

After a traumatic accident, it is normal to feel disoriented and confused. If you were hit by a cab driver, you may be unsure of what your rights are. Can you seek compensation? If the other driver is at fault, or if you were a pedestrian, then odds are, you do have a right to seek compensation. You have a right to medical attention, insurance information, and monetary compensation.

• You Should Seek Medical Attention After an Accident

Your priority after an accident should be to receive medical attention. Make sure that you keep a record of all of your medical bills and all costs associated with your injuries. Your reports from medical doctors can be used to prove the damages that were caused during the accident.

If you do not need to be transported to the hospital, you should still seek medical attention shortly after the accident. Some injuries will not manifest with symptoms until later. Shortly following an accident, you may still have a lot of adrenaline in your system which can make it more difficult to determine how injured you are.

• Obtaining Insurance Information Is Important

Most cab drivers are required to carry their own insurance. This insurance should protect them against damages and injury. The cab company also carries insurance for the vehicle. Most cab companies have fleet insurance to cover passengers and other costs. After the accident, you should collect the insurance from the cab driver.

• You May Be Entitled to Monetary Compensation

If you were struck by a cab, there are three types of damages that you can seek compensation for. These damages include economic damages, noneconomic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages are the damages associated with your financial loss. If you have medical bills, lost income, property damage, or other personal care costs, you would take the sum of those costs. Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, include mental distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and other less tangible damages.

Punitive damages are damages that the court awards to punish the defendant in the case. For example, if the driver acted maliciously, he or she may be ordered to pay punitive damages.

Iowa Car Accident Infographic

Iowa Car Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in the United States. In 2021, there were over 6 million car accidents in the United States, resulting in over 3 million injuries and 40,000 fatalities.

Iowa Car Accident FAQs

What Should I Do After My Accident?

Immediately after a car accident, your priority should be ensuring the safety of yourself and your passengers. If you’re not too injured to move, evacuate anyone from the car if you can safely do so, then call 911 and, if possible, move your car to the side of the road to avoid further accidents. Otherwise, wait for emergency services to arrive. Even if nobody is noticeably injured, though, you should stay in the area. You’re legally obligated in most states to wait until law enforcement arrives, even if you’re not at fault. Also, you should seek medical attention anyway, since some injuries aren’t immediately apparent.

While waiting, get the names and contact information of any witnesses, including the other driver(s). This will be important in establishing your case with a car accident lawyer in Iowa later. You also need insurance information from other parties. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and write down any relevant information you can recall about the incident. Written accounts and photos are more useful when seeking compensation than statements taken from memory, especially considering that your memory of the event later may be affected by the stress of the situation.

How Do I Seek Compensation After an Accident?

To cover medical and auto repair bills, you will likely need help from your insurers. Unfortunately, insurance companies are still businesses, and they’re in the business of avoiding paying out if they can. For this reason, you must consult with a car accident lawyer in Iowa. They can help negotiate with your insurer to guarantee that you get rightful coverage. This is where the information you collected from the scene of the accident comes in. With it, you and your lawyer establish the nature of the accident and the damages you’ve received, proving that your insurance policies apply. 

In cases where another party is culpable for the accident intentionally or due to negligence, you may be able to pursue legal action against them. Again, a car accident lawyer in Iowa is vital here. Based on eyewitness accounts, the court may hold the other driver responsible—in this case, they and/or their insurer will be required to pay for some or all of the damages. You aren’t required to seek legal action even if you believe the other party to be at fault, but sometimes it may be necessary to defend yourself from such a case.

At What Point Should I Get Help from a Lawyer?

If you were to ask a lawyer about when to get assistance after a car accident, the answer is as soon as possible. If you were so severely hurt that you were in the hospital and could not contact a lawyer, then a close and trusted loved one can get it started for you. There is a statute of limitations that sets forth how long a person has to file a claim for non-monetary and monetary damages. 

However, if this time limit expires, then victims no longer have the right to pursue compensation. Victims mustn’t wait until the last minute to file their claim, as a lawyer can start handling the situation right away and investigate matters in preparation for the case.

What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?

Many people suffer minor injuries in car accidents, but some types of injuries are more common than others. Drivers and passengers often complain of neck and back pain, whiplash, and headaches following a rear-end collision. Serious head, face, or internal injuries can result from an accident in which a vehicle rolls over or if one car rear-ends another at a high rate of speed. Some common car accident injuries include whiplash, back and neck sprains, headaches, broken bones or fractures, cuts and lacerations, internal bleeding or bruising, and more.

How Long Will it Take to Settle My Case?

One of the most common questions our car accident lawyers in Iowa are asked is “How long will it take to settle my case?” As much as we would love to tell you an exact number, there is no way to know how long it will take. The length of time it might take to settle a car accident case will depend on many factors, including how complicated your case is, whether you have completed treatment, and the extent of your injuries. 

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

When you’re in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do. You may have heard that you should call a car accident lawyer, but you may not know what they do. A car accident lawyer in Iowa can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

They can also help you negotiate with the insurance company and make sure that you are getting the best possible care for your injuries. If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to contact a lawyer right away. 

Can I Obtain Compensation if I Am at Fault?

Many people who have partial fault in a car accident victim assume that they are not able to recover financial compensation, but just because you were partially at fault doesn’t mean you are not able to. If you have partial fault in a car accident you may still be able to recover a portion. The amount of compensation you can recover however depends on the state you are in. For example, the type of compensation you can recover if you have partial fault depends on whether a state has a contributory negligence or comparative negligence system. Learn more about filing a claim by contacting a car accident lawyer that Iowa residents trust. 

For many car accident victims recovery is just the start of their problems. A car accident can result in hundreds or thousands of dollars in expenses. In many cases, accident victims struggle to pay for their expenses. When there are numerous medical bills and other costs to cover it makes recovery even more difficult. You can obtain the help you need if you have been a victim of a car accident that you did not cause.

Why Is Speaking to a Car Accident Lawyer in Iowa Important?

Before you can recover compensation, a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company must be filed. You might also be required to file a claim with your own company, or even both. The insurance company, especially that of the at-fault driver may be encouraged to settle with them as soon as possible. They might tell you that you don’t need a lawyer or other things that sound off-putting. Realistically, you should consult with a lawyer before accepting or agreeing to anything.

You should also know that attempting to negotiate a settlement on your own is not recommended. These companies are very clever and know how to navigate challenges and vulnerabilities. Whatever you say could be twisted, and used against you. Their goal is to settle for the least amount of money possible, and you taking your case into your own hands, could very well give them what they want.

Des Moines Injury Law, Iowa Car Accident Lawyers

699 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Contact Our Iowa Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents can be scary and stressful. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, we can work with you to achieve the maximum amount possible in your personal injury claim. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law so we know exactly what you are going through when dealing with insurance companies after car accidents occur. Des Moines Injury Law, LLP has over 20 years of experience helping people just like you who need help recovering from their injuries after getting into car accidents. Call our Orlando personal injury lawyer today!