Full-Service Law Firm Des Moines, IA

Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule for car accident claims. The driver who caused the wreck is liable for your damages, including medical bills, repairing or replacing your vehicle, and pain and suffering. As long as you contributed less than 50% of the blame for the accident, you can still recover compensation. However, the amount of your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced car accident attorney who help minimize your portion of blame.

In Iowa, you generally have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, which is known as the statute of limitations. However, this timeframe can vary depending on specific circumstances of your case, such as when injuries were discovered or if government entities are involved. It’s important to act quickly after a truck accident because evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories can fade, and trucking companies may destroy critical records after a certain period. We strongly recommend contacting our attorneys as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights and begin building your case while the evidence is still fresh and available.

Iowa does not legally require adults to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, whether they are the driver or passenger. So, if you opt not to wear a helmet, you can still file a claim for compensation if you didn’t cause the wreck. However, your claim may be impacted by your decision. Insurance companies may view your choice as a failure to take appropriate care for your own safety, while a jury may believe that you contributed a large percentage of fault for your injuries. This can, per Iowa comparative negligence laws, reduce your claim significantly. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get a fair shake.

In Iowa, wrongful death lawsuits can only be filed by specific individuals as defined by state law. The deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, or parents have the legal standing to bring a wrongful death claim, with the spouse typically given priority if multiple eligible parties exist. If none of these immediate family members are available or choose not to file, the personal representative or executor of the deceased’s estate may file the lawsuit on behalf of the estate and surviving beneficiaries. Iowa law does not allow extended family members such as siblings, grandparents, or other relatives to file wrongful death claims unless they can demonstrate they were financially dependent on the deceased. We help families understand who has the legal authority to pursue these claims and guide them through this difficult process during an already challenging time.

Injury accidents are incidents that cause harm to someone due to the recklessness, negligence, or harmful intent of another. If you were recently injured due to the fault of a person, company, or other entity, then it is worth considering seeking compensation for your medical bills, loss of wages, property damage, and other losses. We understand that oftentimes victims of accidents suffer physically and financially, when they should never have had this stress in the first place. What we can do is calculate a monetary award or settlement so that you are repaid fairly for your losses, damages, suffering, and inconveniences. When you need help the most, we can make sure you and your family’s rights are protected.

Semi-truck accident cases are different from other car accident cases because they often involve multiple parties, more severe injuries, and federal regulations. Unlike typical car crashes, these cases may include the truck driver, the trucking company, insurance providers, and even manufacturers of the truck or its parts. There are also specific rules under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that apply to commercial trucks, which can impact how liability is determined. Due to the size and weight of the trucks, the damage and injuries are often more serious, making these cases more complex and higher stakes.

Having an estate plan is an important aspect to preparing for the future. The benefits of having one include your ability to reduce taxes, manage assets, designate guardians, help prevent probate, maximize charitable gifts, provide for your family, transfer property, plan for incapacitation, and more. Those who are of senior age can benefit from elder law planning so they can get the care and attention they need to live as happily and comfortably as possible. In 2024, we received an award as the Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Des Moines, so you can rely on us to provide top quality insight.

Protecting your small business is an essential component in your success. We can assist you with forming your business, choosing a business entity, contract drafting, litigation, contract disputes, franchise agreements, government affairs, financing strategies, and more. Our experience in business allows us to offer quality legal advice that you can depend on when making impactful decisions. From choosing the correct type of business entity to contract review, or business litigation and handling disputes, we can guide you every step of the way. We are a highly acclaimed and experienced legal team that knows how to protect your business. We want success for you!

Litigation can be expensive, and take a significant amount of time. There are alternatives to litigation, such as mediation. This is when each party is given the opportunity to speak openly and honestly with a neutral counsel present. The intention of mediation is to arrive at an agreement to prevent further legal costs, arguments, and litigation. Your case may get settled out of court through mediation, private negotiations, or other alternative resolution methods. After we discuss your individual situation with you, we can let you know if mediation could be effective. Contact us about our Courtroom and Mediation Center at the Law Group of Iowa!