An automobile accident in Iowa can be disastrous for you and your family. You could experience catastrophic physical injury as well as property damage. You may also face financial difficulties because of medical fees, repair bills, rental car expenses, and missed income as a result of your inability to work.
Pursuing the Recovery You Deserve Following a Car Accident in Iowa
Contact a local attorney if you want to secure reasonable compensation for your losses. Our local Iowa car accident lawyers have the skills you need to help you through every step of the legal process as you seek appropriate compensation for your losses.
Car Accidents in Iowa of Various Types
To help you collect the compensation you deserve for your injuries, your attorney must be able to prove what caused the accident and who was at fault.
Car Accident Types:
Head-on — A head-on crash is by far the most dangerous type of traffic collision, involving cars going in opposite directions at high speeds or when a vehicle hits oncoming traffic after crossing lanes. Head-on collisions combine the forces of two moving objects, resulting in devastating impacts. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the driver who improperly crossed over the divider is to blame.
Rear end — A rear-end crashes are generally less lethal because the force of the oncoming car is absorbed as the car's rear end crumples. Force may also be dissipated if the struck vehicle is moving at a lower speed or rolling out of a stationary position. However, other issues can occur if the impacted vehicle is pushed forward into other cars in a chain reaction, or the impact causes the other driver to lose control and veer into another lane, barriers, or other objects. Rear-end crashes are frequently the result of distracted drivers or misjudgment of necessary stopping distances and the driver who rear-ends a vehicle is almost always found to be at fault.
Side-swipe or angular — When a cars graze each other or collide at a less than a 90-degree angle it can cause costly vehicle damage and potentially cause the other driver to overcorrect and fly off the road or into other lanes of traffic or into other vehicles. Determining fault inside swipe accidents is often difficult as vehicle damage may not paint a complete picture of events.
T-bone — A “T-bone” is a crash where one car collides with the broad side of another. T-bone collisions can be fatal at high speeds for any motorist. The most common reason is a driver's failure to observe a stop sign or red light. The driver who directly impacts the side or doors of another vehicle in a straight on fashion is generally found to be at fault.
Our expertise in various collision scenarios and liability flowing from each enables us to efficiently investigate your accident and construct a compelling case or defense.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Iowa
There are common injuries that may occur as a result of an auto accident, including:
- Concussions and brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs in neck and back
- Spinal cord trauma
- Broken bones and teeth
- Scarring
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Joint injury
- Severe burns
- Soft tissue swelling or damage
Documenting your Iowa Accident and Injuries
Recording crash details can help secure the compensation you deserve. It begins prior to filing an accident lawsuit and may be necessary to preserve your rights. To do so, any information you can obtain bolsters your legal team's ability to guide you through the legal process. The best way you can contribute to the success of your case is by:
- Documenting accident specifics in writing as quickly as possible to avoid lapses in memory
- Capturing damage through photographs of the accident scene and your vehicle
- Completing an accident report form, sticking to facts, and avoiding admissions of fault
- Documenting even minor injuries as they may develop into more serious conditions over time.
- Pursuing compensation for injuries.
Your insurance adjuster might not adequately address your claims without proper documentary evidence. Having robust evidence such as the following is crucial:
- Injury photos
- Medical reports and bills
- Ambulance ride receipts
- Medication and medical equipment receipts
- Car repair and rental receipts
- Descriptions of quality-of-life changes, like sleep problems, loss of independence, depression, and strain on family life
Common Car Accident Causes in Iowa
Identifying the cause of your accident and injury is pivotal for a strong claim. Your attorney will work to prove the other driver's negligence or recklessness was the source of your injuries. Your attorney will assemble a skilled team to assist in preparation for trial, identify experts, and investigate your accident to assess and substantiate the cause of the accident and conditions that caused the injuries. Common causes include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Texting or smartphone use while driving
- Speeding or street racing
- Acts of road rage
- Drowsy or asleep driving
- Disregarding red lights, stop signs, and yield indicators
- Careless operation of the vehicle
Comprehending Iowa's Modified Comparative Negligence Regulation
In Iowa, you can only prevail in a car accident claim if your actions or failure to act are found to have contributed less than 50% of the cause of the accident . Operating under Iowa's modified comparative negligence rule, you may still seek damages even if you share some fault (provided your contribution is lesser than the other party's). In other words, the other driver is found to be 51% or more at fault, you may obtain a recovery for your injuries.
However, your overall recovery will be diminished according to your assigned degree of fault. For instance, suppose you were in a collision with another driver who ran a red light due to texting while driving while you were traveling five miles above the speed limit during the incident. A jury might assign you 20% fault for the accident. If the total damages, encompassing medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, equal $10,000, you would only be eligible to recover up to 80% of that sum, amounting to $8,000.
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