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
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Iowa
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Iowa Code Section 614.1 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. The deadline begins on the date of the accident. Missing this deadline results in permanent loss of the right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in Iowa have a five-year statute of limitations.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: Iowa is a fault-based (tort) state, not a no-fault state. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the injuries and damages. Victims may file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit in civil court.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Iowa Code Section 668.3. An injured party can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and you are 30% at fault, you would recover $70,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Iowa requires the following minimum liability coverage: $20,000 per person for bodily injury, $40,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. These are among the lower minimums in the nation.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Iowa requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, though drivers may reject it in writing. Given the number of underinsured drivers, this coverage is strongly recommended.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Iowa does not require PIP coverage as it is a fault-based state.
Damage Caps: Iowa does not impose statutory caps on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in standard car accident cases. However, punitive damages are capped in certain circumstances.
Dram Shop Liability: Iowa has dram shop laws under Iowa Code Chapter 123 that may hold establishments liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors who subsequently cause accidents.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners in Iowa may be held liable for accidents caused by someone they permitted to drive their vehicle under certain circumstances.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Iowa law requires drivers to immediately report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 to law enforcement.
Wrongful Death: Wrongful death claims in Iowa must be filed within two years of the death. The personal representative of the estate files the claim on behalf of the statutory beneficiaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in Iowa?
A: Iowa Code Section 614.1 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents. This means you must file your lawsuit in court within two years from the date of the accident. Property damage claims have a longer five-year statute of limitations. The Hope Law Firm urges injury victims to pursue their cases immediately rather than waiting, as early action allows for better evidence preservation, stronger witness memories, and faster resolution. Missing the two-year personal injury deadline results in permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be.
Q: How does Iowa’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
A: Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovery. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 25% at fault, you would recover $75,000. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys will attempt to maximize your share of fault to reduce or eliminate their liability, making thorough documentation and legal representation important.
Q: What are common causes of car accidents in Des Moines and Iowa?
A: According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, traffic accidents remain a significant concern throughout the state. In 2020, there were 337 total traffic fatalities, a slight increase from the prior year. There were 1,099 distracted driving accidents in 2019, leading to 538 injuries and 3 fatalities. Speeding, failure to yield, improper lane changes, following too closely, and weather-related conditions (particularly on icy or wet roads) are common factors. Data trends show that traffic accidents leading to injuries and fatalities have been steadily increasing in Iowa over recent years. Drunk driving remains a significant problem, particularly during evening and weekend hours.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover in an Iowa car accident case?
A: Iowa allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages if you are not primarily at fault. Economic damages include medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, rental car expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Iowa does not cap these compensatory damages in standard car accident cases. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available, though they are subject to certain limitations.
Q: Should I report my Des Moines car accident to my insurance company?
A: Yes, you should notify your insurance company about the accident promptly. Your insurance policy typically requires timely reporting, and failure to report could jeopardize your coverage. However, there is a difference between notifying your own insurer and speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When speaking with any insurance company, stick to basic facts about the accident and avoid admitting fault or speculating about injuries. Be cautious about providing recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer without first consulting an attorney, as these statements can be used to minimize or deny your claim. An experienced Des Moines car accident attorney can help you navigate insurance communications while protecting your rights.