West Des Moines Car Accident Attorneys

Driver Negligence That Causes Accidents

At the root of most car accidents is negligence or everyday human error. A driver who has just a momentary lapse of judgment can cause a lifetime of pain and grief for others on the road. When working on your case, we will do all that we can to identify what the other driver did wrong and how that makes them liable for your damages.

Common mistakes and acts of negligence that cause car accidents are:

• Intoxication: Many drivers mistakenly think that they can drive safely after having one or two alcoholic beverages. In reality, one drink is all it takes to dramatically worsen a driver’s reaction times, focus, ability to drive in a straight line, and so on.
• Distractions: Simple distractions like a text message on a smartphone or a conversation with a passenger can be extremely dangerous while driving. Many safety groups warn that distracted drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers, if not more.
• Speeding: When a driver breaks the speed limit, they give themselves much less time to react to emergencies and come to a complete stop. Even speeding “just” 10 mph is dangerous and must not be done.
• Tailgating: Following a driver too closely is called tailgating. This common driver behavior is a leading cause of preventable rear-end accidents.

Auto part defects are another common cause of car accidents in Iowa. The auto part manufacturer or the automaker who sold the car with the part could be liable for crashes caused by defects that should have been corrected by these companies before a crash could happen.

In and around West Des Moines, collisions frequently occur on busy routes like I-235, I-80, and local arterials where traffic is heavy and speeds change quickly. A moment of inattention in these areas can lead to chain-reaction crashes that involve multiple vehicles and serious injuries. If your wreck involved a commercial vehicle or a company car, our car accident attorney in West Des Moines can evaluate whether an employer, contractor, or other business entity should also be held responsible alongside the at-fault driver.

What to Do After a Car Accident

After being in a car accident, you should always:

• Get emergency help: If someone is injured or a vehicle is significantly damaged, then you should call 911. Emergency responders can provide important first aid and control the traffic flow around the crash. The reports filed by police officers, firefighters, and EMTs can be used by our attorneys later as evidence, too.
• Trade information: You need to know the identifying and insurance information of each other driver. If the driver who hit you was completing a job-related duty at the time, then you should know their employer’s information, too.
• Take pictures: Getting concrete evidence of the scene is crucial. Use your smartphone to take photographs of injuries, damage, traffic conditions, and so forth. The more pictures, the better, so do not feel shy when snapping away.
• Talk to witnesses: The best story of what happened might come from another driver or pedestrian who saw the whole thing from a different perspective. Pass any eyewitness contact information to us in case we need to conduct another interview.
• Go to the doctor: Even if you feel unharmed after a car accident, take yourself to urgent care immediately. Let a doctor diagnose your injuries if there are any. They will also update your medical records to show when and why the injuries happened.

After these immediate steps, it can also help to contact a car accident lawyer in West Des Moines before speaking in detail with any insurance representative about the wreck. An experienced auto accident attorney can explain what the insurer is asking, help you avoid statements that might be taken out of context, and start preserving evidence while it is still readily available. We can also discuss issues like rental vehicles, medical bill handling, and how to protect your ability to recover compensation while you focus on healing.

Damages & Auto Insurance Coverage in Iowa

The extent of what you can recover from a car accident claim will be influenced by the auto insurance policies you can file against. Every policy has a limit for certain types of damages, which usually acts as a hard cap on what you can collect. It is our job as your West Des Moines car accident lawyers to make sure you get a fair and maximized amount of compensation for your injuries and losses.

A successful injury claim can recover these damages and more:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced income-earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Lowered enjoyment of life
• Lost mobility and independence

The damages related to repairing or replacing your vehicle will be handled in a separate property damage claim. Usually, property damage claims face less resistance than bodily injury claims due to their lower values.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident in Iowa?

You typically have two years from the date of a car accident in Iowa to file a personal injury claim. Failing to do so within this timeframe can result in losing your right to recover compensation. As such, it is important to work with an experienced West Des Moines car accident lawyer who can help ensure your claim is filed on time and handled properly.

Making Your West Des Moines Car Accident Case the Best It Can Be

For white-glove legal service after a car accident in West Des Moines, come to LaMarca Law Group right away. We make it simple for our clients to pursue full compensation and justice after a crash without adding any stress to their lives. Leave everything up to us today.

When you hire us, we work as a team to gather records, consult with appropriate professionals, and prepare your claim. Our familiarity with courts in the Des Moines area and our experience handling a wide range of collision scenarios allow us to tailor our approach to the facts of your case and the needs of your family. By keeping you informed and involved at every major decision point, we aim to give you the confidence that your claim is being handled carefully from start to finish.

FREE consultations are available. Call (515) 705-0233. Let our West Des Moines car accident lawyer guide and support you!