Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Des Moines, Iowa
The firms in this guide
1. LaMarca Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, aviation accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, product liability, premises liability
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, business litigation
Background: LaMarca Law Group, P.C. has been protecting the rights of injured Iowans for decades. The attorneys provide experienced legal counsel and trial work for personal injury cases including trucking collisions, automobile accidents, drunk driving accidents, and motorcycle accidents. The firm handles matters ranging from routine accidents to highly complex legal issues requiring sophisticated legal expertise. The attorneys have extensive litigation experience and are prepared to take cases to trial when necessary.
Location: Des Moines, IA
Contact: (515) 705-0233 | https://www.youriowalawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. The Hope Law Firm, PLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, vehicle defects, mechanical failure accidents, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, disability claims
Background: The Hope Law Firm provides experienced personal injury representation for clients throughout Central Iowa. When managing personal injury legal claims, the firm emphasizes experience and thorough case investigation. The attorneys work diligently with medical professionals to assemble the evidence necessary to convey the full extent of injuries and build solid cases for relief. The firm handles cases involving severe injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, burn injuries, and catastrophic injuries.
Location: Des Moines, IA
Contact: (515) 298-5056 | https://www.hopelawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free meeting with attorney, contingency fee arrangement
3. Lawyer, Lawyer, Dutton, Drake & Conklin, LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, workplace injuries, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, ATV accidents, construction accidents, industrial accidents, slip and fall accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, settlement negotiations, workers’ compensation claims, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The partners at Lawyer, Lawyer, Dutton, Drake & Conklin each have more than 40 years of experience representing injured individuals. Partners Jim Lawyer, Channing Dutton, and David Drake have been partners for decades, and together with partners John Lawyer and Rob Conklin, they have well over a century of combined experience. The firm focuses solely on representing injured parties and does not represent employers or insurance companies. The firm handles cases throughout Iowa including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, and Ankeny.
Location: Urbandale, IA (serving Des Moines area)
Contact: (515) 224-4400 | https://www.lldd.net/
Consultation: Free consultation (no charge to discuss cases), contingency fee arrangement
4. Erbe Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction defects, employment law, insurance law
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, construction accidents, insurance disputes, bad faith claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, construction defect claims, employment litigation
Background: Since founding in 2005, the Erbe Law Firm has grown while maintaining personalized attention. The firm has represented injured people throughout the United States with total recoveries in excess of $180 million. Attorney Harley Erbe is a dedicated advocate who prioritizes clients’ best interests and has the experience and capability to handle cases from start to finish through trial if necessary. Attorney Erbe’s membership in numerous trial lawyer organizations, including the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Litigation Counsel of America, demonstrates his trial experience and courtroom skills.
Location: Des Moines, IA
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.erbelaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Law Group of Iowa
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, police brutality, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, dram shop cases, civil rights claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Law Group of Iowa is led by founding partners Christopher Johnston and Christopher Martineau. Attorney Johnston is an experienced trial lawyer who has successfully handled car accidents, civil rights/police brutality claims, dram shop cases, motorcycle accidents, pharmaceutical cases, semi-truck accidents, and wrongful death matters. Attorney Martineau draws on his background as a former insurance claims adjuster to advocate effectively for clients. Attorney Jason Yates specializes in personal injury and estate planning. The firm represents clients across Iowa from the Quad Cities to Sioux City.
Location: Des Moines, IA (main offices on private grounds housing the Law Museum of Iowa)
Contact: Contact via website | https://desmoinesinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Comparative Fault, Joint Liability Limits and Insurance Minimums for Des Moines Car Crashes
A Des Moines car crash claim in Iowa is barred only if the injured person bears a greater percentage of fault than the defendants and released persons combined. Iowa also limits joint and several liability to economic damages against a defendant at 50 percent or more, sets liability policy minimums, and requires a driver to stop after an injury crash.
Comparative Fault
Under Iowa Code 668.3(1)(a), contributory fault does not bar recovery unless the claimant bears a greater percentage of fault than the combined percentage attributed to the defendants, third-party defendants and released persons, and damages are diminished in proportion to the claimant’s fault.
Limits on Joint and Several Liability
Under Iowa Code 668.4, joint and several liability does not apply to a defendant found to bear less than 50 percent of the total fault, and a defendant at 50 percent or more is jointly and severally liable only for economic damages, not for noneconomic damages.
Policy Minimums
Under Iowa Code 321A.21, an owner’s motor vehicle liability policy certified as proof of financial responsibility must provide at least $20,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $40,000 for two or more persons and $15,000 for property damage in one accident.
Stopping After an Injury Crash
Under Iowa Code 321.261(1), a driver who knows or has reason to believe the vehicle was involved in a crash causing injury or death must immediately stop and, if able, return to and remain at the scene as section 321.263 requires; a driver who learns of the crash later must make a good-faith effort to contact emergency services or call 911.
Des Moines Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue after a Des Moines car crash?
Two years under Iowa Code 614.1(2) for injuries to the person, and two years after the injury under 670.5 for a claim against a municipality or its employees, except as provided in 614.8.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your fault is greater than the combined fault of the defendants and released persons. For example, imagine $70,000 in damages and 35 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under Iowa Code 668.3 the recovery would be $45,500.
Can one defendant be made to pay all my damages?
Yes, but only for economic damages, and only if that defendant bears 50 percent or more of the fault. Under Iowa Code 668.4, a defendant under 50 percent is not jointly and severally liable, and no defendant is jointly and severally liable for noneconomic damages.