Iowa Car Accidents

Des Moines Car Accident Lawyer

Giving you the confidence you need during your most fragile moments

Your car transports you for all the activities of your daily life. When traveling on Iowa's roadways you don't expect to be in an accident. But car accidents do occur, sometimes causing serious injuries or even death. Car accidents are commonly caused by drunk driving or inattentive, reckless, or negligent drivers. Common types of injuries from car accidents include broken bones and ligament tears; neck, shoulder, back, and spinal injuries; and open and closed head injuries, including catastrophic traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the actions of another, it is crucial that you contact a lawyer as soon after the accident as possible. Please see our blog posts How A Lawyer Can Help You With Your Personal Injury Case  and Why It Is Important To Hire A Lawyer For Your Personal Injury Case for basic information about how an experienced lawyer can help with your car accident case.

Motor vehicle operators have a legal obligation to obey traffic laws, to drive safely, and to exercise reasonable care for the safety of other motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Many factors can cause car accidents, sometimes on their own and sometimes in combination with other factors:

  • Speeding

  • Reckless or unsafe vehicle operation

  • Making a lane change without checking mirrors or blind spots

  • Entering traffic without ensuring that the way is clear

  • Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

  • Operating a vehicle without regard to weather or road conditions

  • Driving while tired

  • Using a cell phone or other electronic device

  • Driving a vehicle that has bad brakes, bad tires, or is otherwise not safe to be on the road

How we can help:

Our Des Moines law firm can help with all types of car accident claims, including:

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, please take a moment to review the helpful information that we have provided on our blog:

What to Do if You are Involved in an Automobile Accident

The Importance Of A Prompt Investigation In Accident Cases

The Importance Of Your Treating Doctor In A Personal Injury Case

Iowa Law Regarding Left Turns At Intersections

Iowa Supreme Court Is "Sold" On Expanding Iowa's Dram Shop Law

Dealing With Underinsured Motorists

If, after reviewing this information, you'd like to speak with us about your case, please reach out to us through the Web Contact Form by using the "Contact Us" button or by calling (515) 281-1460. We make every effort to provide a same-day response to all communications received during weekday business hours..

What are my rights to monetary compensation?

Iowa law provides strong remedies if you're injured in a car accident. You may be able to recover money damages for, among other things, past and future medical expenses, past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, and past and future disability or loss of function of the body. If the accident caused a death, an additional series of money damages for wrongful death may also be applicable.

We invite you to take a moment to browse some additional information about money damages that we've provided on our blog:

Remedies For Injury To Or Wrongful Death Of A Spouse Under Iowa Law

Loss Of Consortium Claims Involving Children And Personal Injury Or Wrongful Death

When Can You Recover Emotional Distress Damages In A Negligence Case?

Eggshell Or Aggravation? An Important Concept For Personal Injury Cases

Personal Injury Law: The Basics

We can help if you miss work or lose your job because of a car accident

We can help in two ways if a car accident causes you trouble at work or results in your firing. First, Iowa law allows you to recover economic damages for lost wages or loss of earning capacity caused by an auto accident. Second, our firm also handles employment law matters, including claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that may protect your job if you have to miss work to deal with your own or a loved one's injuries stemming from an accident.

Handling your own car accident claim

People sometimes prefer to handle their accident claim and deal with the other driver's insurance company on their own. But often dealing with the other driver's insurance company on your own can be very difficult. Endless letters, interviews, and questionnaires, and other insurance company actions can be time consuming, exhausting, and confusing and can jeopardize your legal rights against the other driver. We can help eliminate some of the stress, take some of the weight off your shoulders, and ensure that your legal rights are fully protected. 

"Friendly and helpful" insurance claims people who work for the other driver do not have any of your best interests in mind. Dealing with the opposing insurer without a lawyer by your side and standing up for you may result in you getting shortchanged by the other driver's insurer. In addition to assisting with the insurance claims process, we can help identify your various potential claims for damages that can be sought. Please be aware that if the other driver's insurer offers you a fast, early settlement, you're likely getting that offer because the insurer hopes that you'll take it before you have a chance to "lawyer up" and become fully educated about the extent of your legal rights. And once you settle, that's it, no matter how unfair the settlement may later seem to be, so insurance companies have every reason to get you to settle for as little as possible and extinguish your legal rights.

We've provided additional helpful information on our blog regarding handling your own insurance claim and working with the other driver's insurance company:  

Dealing With The Other Driver's Insurance Company In Car Crash Cases  

Do I Have To Talk To The Other Driver’s Insurance Company After A Car Accident?

Your attorney is waiting.

We make every effort to provide a same-day response to all communications received during weekday business hours. Initial telephone calls are always free. If it looks like we can help, it'll be our pleasure to meet with you, learn more about your situation, and lend you a hand. We handle as many of our cases as possible on a contingent fee basis, meaning that there's no fee unless we make a monetary recovery for you. We are conveniently located near downtown Des Moines, and take pride in serving the state of Iowa.

 
 

Erbe Law Firm 
2501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
(515) 229-0202

Erbe Law Firm has proudly served clients throughout Iowa since 2005 from our Des Moines law firm. We look forward to hearing from you to see whether we can do the same for you.

Harley Erbe.jpeg