Des Moines Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Des Moines, IA

Des Moines isn’t a very large city, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still risks to pedestrians. Iowa roads are large, heavily trafficked by trucks and other commercial vehicles, and can present significant risks to pedestrians.

If you’re struck by a car, you may experience a wide range of injuries, from broken bones and internal injuries to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or even wrongful death. Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere and can have lasting consequences for victims and their families. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Des Moines, IA can help you seek justice and claim damages after an accident.

Des Moines Injury Law has the experience to guide you through the complex legal process after an accident. Our experienced Des Moines, IA pedestrian accident lawyer will investigate your incident, create a legal plan, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, from rural towns to city centers. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Parking lots: When cars and pedestrians share the same general area, there’s a significant risk to people walking to and from their vehicles.

• Distracted drivers: Drivers fiddling with the radio, looking at their phone, or otherwise distracted are serious risks to pedestrians and may cause car accidents.

• Texting: It’s illegal to text and drive in Iowa, but many drivers still do it, presenting another serious risk to pedestrians.

• Speeding drivers: When people drive too fast, they often fail to brake in time for crosswalks or pedestrians walking to their cars or crossing the street.

• Drunk drivers: Driving drunk is a signficant risk to one’s self and other drivers, but also to pedestrians.

What To Do If You’ve Been A Victim Of A Pedestrian Accident

If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while crossing the street or walking on the sidewalk, it’s imperative to know your rights and how a pedestrian accident lawyer in Des Moines, IA can help. After being struck, take the following actions:

• Seek medical attention: Immediately contact a doctor or seek emergency medical help if you’re injured. Don’t self-diagnose — always see a doctor.
• Call the police: File a police report as soon as possible to begin an investigation.
• Gather information: Before the driver can leave, make sure you get their name, addres, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
• Speak to witnesses: If anybody saw the accident, make sure both you and the police speak to them to get their perspective on what happened.
• Take photos: Photograph the accident scene and anything that else that may help your case, including damage to the vehicle, your physical injuries, nearby street signs or traffic signals, crosswalks, and streetlights.
• Contact your insurance company: Always inform your insurance company that you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident but do not answer any questions.
• Contact us: Instead, tell them you’ve hired a pedestrian accident lawyer in Des Moines, IA.

Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Des Moines, IA

After a pedestrian accident, perpetrators will try to get off without facing justice and insurance companies will try to low ball you for a settlement. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers in Des Moines, IA have the knowledge and expertise to fight for your claim and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Des Moines Injury Law today for a free consultation.

The city of Des Moines is not the largest in the world, but that does not mean pedestrians are not at risk of being hit by a moving vehicle. The roadways are heavily trafficked by passenger cars, commercial trucks, and other large vehicles. Drivers who act recklessly pose a risk to pedestrian safety. If you have been hit by a car, you may have endured a range of injuries, from traumatic head injuries and broken ones, to spinal cord damage or even wrongful death. Pedestrians deserve to be treated with the right of way and car drivers must practice due diligence in watching out for their presence. Our Des Moines, IA pedestrian accident lawyer has helped many victims recover. We are aware of the severity of these types of incidents, and can do everything in our legal power to get you fair payment for how you have suffered. Contact our team at Des Moines Injury Law today to learn more.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere, in any location. Whether you reside in a rural town or city area, pedestrians are always at risk of being struck by a car driver. Some of the most common reasons that these incidents happen are due to pulling out of parking lots, distracted driving, texting while driving, speeding, and drunk driving. Our pedestrian accident attorney knows that when pedestrians share the same vicinity with car drivers, there is a risk of being hit when walking to and from.

Drivers may be distracted by using their phone, adjusting the radio, or otherwise having their attention taken away from what is in front of them. Not every driver operates their vehicle in a safe manner, and may engage in speeding, tailgating, or general recklessness which leads to hitting a pedestrian. Drunk drivers are a risk to one’s self and others, including pedestrians. If you were hit by a moving vehicle and sustained injury, we recommend contacting our Des Moines pedestrian accident lawyer today.

What To Do After Being Hit

If you were struck by a car driver while walking on the sidewalk, crossing the street, or somewhere else, it is imperative to understand your rights in obtaining compensation. After being hit, our pedestrian accident attorney suggests seeking medical attention, calling the police, gathering information, speaking with witnesses, taking photographs, reporting to your insurance company, and then contacting our legal team for support. Seeking medical attention should be your top priority as your health and wellbeing comes first. Please reach out to our pedestrian accident attorney if you would like further support.

Des Moines Injury Law

Our team at Des Moines Injury Law knows that pedestrians can suffer from terrible injuries that may leave them with lasting impacts to their health. Let us advocate for you by contacting us today for a consultation appointment. After we learn about the details of the incident, we can take the lead on seeking compensation from the responsible driver. Our Des Moines pedestrian accident lawyer takes seriously their role in helping you during a difficult time. We are prepared to work on your case as soon as we hear from you. Contact us now for the guidance you need.

Iowa Pedestrian Accident FAQ

Crosswalks should be safe spaces where pedestrians have the right of way, but too many drivers treat them as mere suggestions. Walking through Iowa’s streets and intersections shouldn’t feel like taking your life into your hands, yet pedestrians face constant danger from distracted, speeding, and careless motorists. When multi-ton vehicles strike people on foot, the results are predictably devastating. Pedestrians lack any protective barrier, making even low-speed collisions capable of causing broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries. At Law Group of Iowa, we represent pedestrians struck by negligent drivers, pursuing compensation for injuries that should never have occurred.

Who Bears Responsibility When Drivers Strike Pedestrians?

Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks violate traffic laws and bear liability for resulting injuries. Motorists making turns without checking for pedestrians in their path cause preventable collisions. Distracted drivers looking at phones miss seeing people crossing streets until impact occurs. Speed limit violations reduce reaction time and increase collision severity. Impaired drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs face both criminal charges and civil liability. Drivers backing out of parking spaces or driveways without checking behind them strike pedestrians they never saw. In some cases, municipalities face liability when inadequate lighting, missing crosswalk markings, or dangerous road design contribute to accidents. Property owners whose obstructed sight lines or poorly maintained parking lots create hazards may share responsibility.

What Injuries Do Pedestrians Commonly Sustain?

Head injuries and traumatic brain damage occur when pedestrians strike vehicles, pavement, or other objects during impact. Broken bones affect legs, arms, hips, pelvis, and ribs from the force of collision. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis with permanent consequences. Internal organ damage and internal bleeding require emergency surgery. Road rash causes painful abrasions across large body areas. Facial injuries including broken jaws, damaged teeth, and eye trauma need specialized treatment. Soft tissue damage affects muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. Psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder and fear of traffic affects many survivors. Fatal injuries occur when pedestrians suffer catastrophic head trauma or multiple system failures.

Why Do Drivers Often Claim Pedestrians Were At Fault?

Insurance companies and defense attorneys frequently blame pedestrians to reduce or deny compensation. They argue pedestrians crossed outside designated crosswalks or against traffic signals. Some claim pedestrians wore dark clothing at night making them difficult to see. Defense tactics suggest pedestrians were distracted by phones or appeared suddenly without warning. Arguments that pedestrians were intoxicated or jaywalking attempt to shift liability. Iowa’s comparative fault system reduces compensation based on the pedestrian’s percentage of responsibility. We counter these arguments with witness testimony, traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction, and evidence demonstrating the driver’s negligence and duty to watch for pedestrians.

How Does Iowa Law Protect Pedestrians?

Iowa traffic laws grant pedestrians right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers must yield to pedestrians legally crossing roadways and exercise due care to avoid striking people on foot. Traffic signals and crosswalk markings establish where pedestrians have protected crossing areas. School zones and residential areas impose additional duties on drivers to watch for pedestrians. Despite these protections, enforcement remains inconsistent and many drivers disregard pedestrian safety. We hold negligent drivers accountable by demonstrating how their actions violated traffic statutes and pedestrian protection laws, strengthening claims for full compensation.

What Compensation Addresses Your Losses?

Emergency medical treatment including ambulance transport, trauma care, surgery, and hospitalization creates immediate expenses. Ongoing medical costs cover rehabilitation, physical therapy, follow-up surgeries, and long-term care. Lost wages account for time away from work during recovery. Reduced earning capacity applies when injuries prevent returning to previous employment. Pain and suffering damages compensate for physical discomfort and emotional trauma. Permanent disability, scarring, or reduced mobility warrant additional compensation. Assistive devices, home modifications, and attendant care needs increase when injuries cause lasting limitations. Wrongful death damages help families cope with funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship when collisions prove fatal.

How Do We Prove Driver Negligence?

Police reports document initial findings and any citations issued to drivers for traffic violations. Witness statements from people who saw the collision provide independent accounts. Traffic camera footage, dashboard cameras, and surveillance video from nearby businesses may capture the impact. Skid marks, vehicle damage, and debris fields reveal speeds and impact points. Cell phone records establish whether drivers were distracted at the time of collision. Accident reconstruction professionals analyze physical evidence to determine fault. Testimony from pedestrians themselves about having right-of-way and proper crossing behavior strengthens cases. We gather this evidence quickly before it disappears or becomes unavailable.

What Should You Do After Being Struck?

Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel your injuries are minor—adrenaline masks pain and some trauma doesn’t produce symptoms initially. Call law enforcement to create an official accident report. Document the scene with photographs if physically able, capturing vehicle positions, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and visible injuries. Collect driver contact and insurance information. Get names and phone numbers from witnesses who observed the collision. Keep records of all medical treatment, expenses, missed work, and how injuries affect daily activities. Avoid providing detailed statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with us. We guide clients through these steps and immediately take over communication with insurance companies.

When Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply?

Hit-and-run accidents where drivers flee the scene leave pedestrians without identified responsible parties. Uninsured motorist coverage from your own auto insurance policy may provide compensation even though you were on foot. Some pedestrians don’t realize their car insurance protects them when struck by vehicles while walking. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when at-fault drivers lack adequate policy limits to cover serious injuries. We review all available insurance policies to identify every potential compensation source and maximize recovery for your injuries and losses.

Pedestrians deserve safe passage on streets and sidewalks without fear of being struck by negligent drivers. A pedestrian accident lawyer Iowa residents trust can investigate your collision, gather evidence of driver fault, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. We understand the serious nature of pedestrian injuries and the tactics insurance companies use to blame victims. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your accident and learn how we can help you secure the financial resources you need for recovery.