Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury representation on a contingency basis. No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

If you have been injured in an accident in Des Moines, you may be eligible for compensation. A Des Moines, IA personal injury lawyer can manage the legal process while you concentrate on your recovery. At Law Group of Iowa, our attorneys have represented injured Iowans for more than 17 years, and our founding attorneys have practiced law in this state since 2001. We hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the full compensation our clients are owed. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your circumstances.

Personal Injury Lawyer Des Moines, IA

Apersonal injury attorney represents individuals who have been harmed by the negligence of another party. The attorney investigates the circumstances of the incident, gathers and preserves evidence, communicates with the insurance carrier, and pursues the compensation available under Iowa law. This work applies to motor vehicle collisions, falls, animal attacks, and other events in which a person or business failed to exercise reasonable care.

Personal injury law extends well beyond traffic accidents. It encompasses unsafe property conditions, defective products, and medical malpractice. The common element in each claim is that another party’s negligence caused harm the injured person did not invite. At Law Group of Iowa, our Des Moines personal injury lawyers handle the full range of these matters, and we provide each client with a candid assessment of the claim before any commitment is made. That assessment is important, because not every accident supports a viable legal claim. We consider it our responsibility to explain the limitations of a case as clearly as its strengths.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Des Moines

Our firm represents injured individuals across a broad range of accident types. Some claims involve a single negligent driver. Others involve a property owner, a manufacturer, or a commercial trucking company. The matters listed below are those our personal injury attorneys handle most frequently for clients in Des Moines.

• Car accidents. We represent clients injured in rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and accidents caused by distracted or impaired drivers. We communicate directly with the insurance carriers so that our clients may concentrate on their medical recovery. Our attorneys document every injury and loss before an adjuster moves to resolve the claim.
• Truck accidents. Commercial vehicle collisions frequently involve serious injuries and multiple liable parties. Our attorneys examine the conduct of the driver, the carrier, and the maintenance records to establish a clear account of fault. Federal trucking regulations introduce considerations that an ordinary automobile claim does not.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists sustain serious injuries even in low-speed collisions, and they frequently encounter bias from adjusters who presume the rider was at fault. NHTSA motorcycle safety data illustrates how exposed riders are in any collision. We respond to that presumption with evidence and document the full extent of a rider’s losses.
• Pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian has no protection in a collision, and the resulting injuries are often severe. That vulnerability is reflected in NHTSA pedestrian safety reporting. We work to demonstrate how a driver failed to yield, reduce speed, or maintain a proper lookout near crosswalks and intersections.
• Bicycle accidents. Cyclists share the roadway with substantially heavier vehicles, and a collision can produce life-altering consequences. We collect witness statements and roadway evidence to support each claim and to address the assumption that the cyclist was responsible.
• Slip and fall. Property owners are obligated to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors. When a wet floor, a damaged stair, or a concealed hazard causes an injury, we pursue the owner who permitted the danger to remain. These claims depend on what the owner knew and when that knowledge existed.
• Dog bites. An animal attack can cause lasting physical and emotional harm, particularly to children. We hold negligent owners accountable for the medical care, scarring, and additional losses that follow an attack.
• Wrongful death. The loss of a family member to another party’s negligence is profound. We handle these claims with sensitivity and pursue accountability on behalf of the surviving family.
• Construction accidents. Falls, equipment failures, and falling objects injure workers and bystanders at Des Moines job sites. These sites are governed by OSHA construction standards, which establish a baseline for worker safety. We identify each responsible party and pursue full recovery for those who were harmed.
• Premises liability. In addition to falls, hazardous conditions include inadequate lighting, negligent security, and neglected repairs. We pursue owners who place visitors at risk by failing to address a known problem on their property.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Personal Injury in Des Moines, IA?

Experience Across Iowa Injury Law

Our injury practice is led by attorneys with substantial courtroom experience. Christopher Johnston is a founder of Law Group of Iowa and has practiced law since 2001, handling car accidents, motorcycle collisions, semi-truck crashes, and wrongful death claims. He is a member of the American Association for Justice. Christopher Martineau has practiced since 2003 and concentrates on automobile and semi-truck collisions, construction accidents, and unsafe property claims. He has been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Jason Yates has practiced since 2009 and focuses on serious personal injury litigation involving commercial carriers. He earned his degree from Drake University Law School with Honors and has been named to the Top 100 by the National Trial Lawyers.

Results-Focused Representation

Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured Iowans through settlements and verdicts. We accept personal injury claims on a contingency basis, which means that no attorney fees are owed unless we recover compensation on your behalf. The initial consultation is provided at no cost. This arrangement allows injured individuals to obtain capable representation without incurring upfront expenses during a period when they are unable to work and are managing medical costs.

Understanding Personal Injury Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Personal Injury Cases

Liability in an injury case rests on negligence. A driver who disregards a traffic signal, or a property owner who ignores a known hazard, has failed to exercise reasonable care, and what negligence means in practice is central to establishing liability. Responsibility may rest with a single party or be shared among several, such as a driver and the employer of that driver. Once fault is established, the analysis turns to compensation.

Iowa law permits recovery for several categories of harm. Economic damages address measurable financial losses, while non-economic damages address consequences that are genuine but more difficult to quantify. The principal types of compensation include:

• Medical expenses, both past and future
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and physical suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Catastrophic harm, including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, may require lifelong care and substantially increases the value of a claim, which makes a careful damages analysis essential. CDC injury data identifies motor vehicle crashes as a leading cause of traumatic brain injury. The objective of a damages claim is to restore the injured person, as nearly as compensation can, to the position held before the accident occurred.

What Are Important Aspects of a Personal Injury Case?

Several elements influence nearly every injury claim. Evidence is most reliable in the period immediately following an accident, before vehicles are repaired and recollections fade. The conduct of the insurance company is also significant, because adjusters work to limit the amount paid. Communicating with an insurance adjuster before retaining counsel can quietly weaken a claimant’s position. The principal considerations include:

• Prompt medical treatment that documents your injuries
• Preserved evidence from the scene and your records
• Careful communication with insurance representatives

Each of these factors can affect whether a claim succeeds and the amount ultimately recovered.

What Is The Personal Injury Case Timeline?

Every claim proceeds at its own pace, though the general sequence is consistent. An understanding of how long claims take allows clients to plan and to anticipate what can be a lengthy process. A typical case follows these stages:

• Medical treatment and reaching maximum recovery
• Investigation and gathering of evidence
• A demand to the insurance carrier
• Negotiation toward a settlement
• A lawsuit and trial, if a fair offer never comes

Most claims are resolved before the final stage. Preparing for trial from the outset, however, maintains pressure on the insurer.

What Should You Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation?

Arriving with the appropriate documents allows our attorneys to evaluate a claim efficiently. An initial meeting proceeds more smoothly when the essential records are available. Helpful items include:

• Any police or incident report
• Photos of the scene and your injuries
• Insurance information for everyone involved
• Medical records and related bills

The initial consultation is provided without charge and generally requires less than one hour. We will explain whether a claim exists, what it may involve, and the steps that follow.

What Are Important Iowa Legal Resources for Personal Injury Cases?

An understanding of where the law may be found assists injured individuals in recognizing their rights. The resources below allow Des Moines residents to review the rules that apply to personal injury claims.

• The Iowa Legislature publishes the complete state code online, including the Iowa limitation statutes that establish deadlines for filing an injury lawsuit.
• Iowa’s comparative fault law addresses how shared responsibility affects the amount an injured person may recover.
• General negligence principles, developed largely through Iowa court decisions, govern how fault is established in an accident case.

These resources serve as a starting point for research. They are not a substitute for advice concerning a specific situation.

Reach Out to Law Group of Iowa to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in Des Moines, you are not required to address these matters alone. Our personal injury attorneys provide a free consultation and accept cases on a contingency basis, so no attorney fees are owed unless we obtain a recovery. We will review the circumstances of the incident, respond to your questions, and explain the available options. Most individuals receive a response from our office within one business day.

Personal Injury Statistics in Des Moines

Traffic collisions remain a leading source of serious injury in Polk County, which includes Des Moines. The Iowa DOT crash statistics published each year record collisions by county, severity, and cause, and they indicate that motor vehicle crashes injure thousands of Iowans annually. As the most populous county in the state, Polk County accounts for a substantial share of those collisions. At the national level, CDC transportation safety data reports that motor vehicle crashes result in more than 120 deaths each day in the United States, with more than 44,000 deaths recorded in 2023. These figures reflect a clear reality. A single instance of negligence on a Des Moines roadway can alter the course of a family’s life, and the responsible party should be held accountable for the resulting harm. Crash data also explains why prompt legal assistance is valuable, because evidence from a collision scene diminishes quickly once the vehicles are removed.

Common Causes of Personal Injury Claims in Des Moines

Injury claims rarely occur without an identifiable cause. Most cases trace to a specific failure by a driver, a property owner, or a company. An awareness of the common causes helps Des Moines residents understand how these accidents develop and how fault is established.

1. Distracted driving. Texting, eating, and adjusting a screen divert a driver’s attention from the roadway. A few seconds of inattention at highway speed corresponds to the length of a football field, and the resulting collisions are frequently severe. Telephone records may later demonstrate that a driver was not observing the road.
2. Impaired and reckless driving. Alcohol, drugs, and fatigue reduce reaction time and impair judgment. Some of these drivers leave the scene, and that is why hit-and-run crashes present claimants with additional difficulty in identifying the responsible party.
3. Speeding. Greater speed lengthens the stopping distance and intensifies the force of impact. Speeding collisions frequently produce the catastrophic injuries that require months or years of recovery, and they leave little opportunity for either driver to react.
4. Unsafe property conditions. Wet floors, broken handrails, uneven pavement, and inadequate lighting cause falls that result in lasting harm. Property owners are expected to repair these hazards or to warn visitors of their presence.
5. Dangerous dogs. Owners who fail to restrain or control an aggressive animal place neighbors and visitors at risk. Bites and attacks can cause deep wounds, infection, and lasting emotional harm, particularly among young children.
6. Construction site hazards. Falling objects, unguarded edges, and equipment failures injure workers and passersby. These cases frequently involve more than one company, which makes a thorough investigation important.
7. Defective products. A poorly designed or improperly manufactured product can injure a person using it as intended. Liability may rest with the manufacturer, the distributor, or the seller, depending on the point at which the defect arose.

An understanding of the proper steps to take after a car crash protects both your health and your claim. Obtain medical care, document the scene, and decline to provide recorded statements until you have consulted an attorney.

Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines?

Our firm accepts personal injury claims on a contingency basis, so no fee is required to begin a case and no fee is owed unless we recover compensation. The initial consultation is provided at no charge. Cost should therefore not prevent an injured person from seeking advice. Our discussion of the cost of a lawyer explains how contingency arrangements protect injured clients.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Iowa?

In most circumstances, Iowa permits an injured person two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, as provided in Iowa Code section 614.1. Certain situations shorten or extend that period, including claims involving minors. A claim filed after the deadline is generally barred, so consulting an attorney early is advisable.

What is my personal injury case worth?

The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the medical costs, lost income, and the long-term effect on the claimant’s life. A responsible attorney will not promise a figure at the first meeting, because the relevant facts must first be developed. Our discussion of personal injury case worth explains the factors that influence these amounts.

Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault?

In many situations, yes. Iowa applies a modified comparative fault rule under Iowa Code section 668.3. An injured person may recover provided that he or she was not more than 50 percent at fault, although the compensation is reduced by that person’s share of the responsibility. Insurers sometimes overstate a claimant’s fault, which is one reason representation is valuable.

How long will my personal injury case take?

The duration depends on the injuries involved and on whether the insurer negotiates in good faith. Straightforward claims may resolve within several months. Claims involving serious injuries or litigation may require a year or longer. We proceed as efficiently as the facts permit and keep clients informed at each stage.

Should I talk to the insurance company before calling a lawyer?

You may report the accident, but you should exercise caution with recorded statements and early settlement offers. Adjusters are trained to limit payments, and a prompt offer is seldom a fair one. A brief consultation with an attorney beforehand can prevent statements that may harm the claim.

What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?

Options may still be available. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply, and other parties may share responsibility for the collision. We examine every available source of recovery so that an uninsured driver does not leave you without a remedy.

Do most personal injury cases go to trial?

No. The majority of claims are resolved through negotiation rather than in a courtroom. Even so, we prepare every case as though it will proceed to trial, because a demonstrated willingness to litigate frequently produces a stronger settlement offer from the insurance company.

What should I do right after an accident in Des Moines?

Obtain medical attention even if the pain appears minor, because certain injuries become apparent days later. Report the incident, photograph the scene, and collect contact information for any witnesses. Consult an attorney before providing a recorded statement to an insurer.

Will I have to pay anything upfront?

No. Because we handle injury claims on a contingency basis, no payment is required to begin a case, and our fee is drawn solely from a recovery. This arrangement allows injured individuals to pursue a claim while they are unable to work and are managing the costs that follow an accident.

Local Information for Des Moines Personal Injury Cases

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury in Des Moines

Certain areas of the city experience more serious collisions than others, generally as a result of heavy traffic and elevated speeds. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise particular caution at the following locations:

• Interstate 235, the busy corridor that passes through the center of Des Moines
• The Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 interchanges on the city’s edges
• Fleur Drive and other high-volume routes near the airport
• Downtown intersections with heavy foot traffic during working hours

What Are Important Local Resources for Des Moines and Personal Injury?

The local resources listed below may assist individuals following an accident in the Des Moines area. This list is provided for general information only, and the inclusion of these resources does not constitute an endorsement of any agency or organization.

• Des Moines Police Department, available for non-emergency matters at (515) 283-4811, prepares crash reports within the city.
• MercyOne Des Moines, with an information line at (515) 247-3121, is among the area’s hospitals providing care for serious injuries.

About the Attorney

Christopher Johnston is a founder of Law Group of Iowa and was born and raised in this state. He is a third-generation Iowan whose great-grandfather settled in Coin, Iowa, and he regards the representation of his fellow Iowans as a privilege. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Minnesota Law and Politics and was previously named an Up and Coming Attorney of the Year.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“After being in a car accident several years ago (no fault of our own), my wife and I had long ago wrote off getting any kind of fair settlement. 6 years later and a surprise call from Chris Johnston, he took over our case and got things handled very fairly. I highly recommend Chris.” — Trevor E

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Contact Law Group of Iowa

If you were injured by another party’s negligence in Des Moines, our personal injury attorneys are prepared to assist you. We handle injury claims on a contingency basis, so no attorney fees are owed unless we recover compensation, and the initial consultation is provided at no cost. We will review the circumstances of the incident, explain the available options in clear terms, and respond to your questions. Most clients receive a response from our office within one business day. Contact us to schedule a free case review and begin the process of recovery.