Des Moines Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Lawyer Des Moines, IA

If you have been involved in a collision with a semi-truck or commercial vehicle somewhere in the Des Moines area, you are likely dealing with consequences that extend far beyond the damage to your car. Serious injuries requiring emergency surgery or extended rehabilitation, medical bills that arrive in your mailbox before you have even completed treatment, income you are not earning because your injuries prevent you from returning to work, and persistent calls from insurance adjusters whose actual job is settling claims for the smallest amount the trucking company can manage to pay. That is the reality facing most people after a truck accident in central Iowa.

Our Des Moines, IA truck accident lawyer at Law Group of Iowa handles these demanding cases regularly and has helped injured Iowans recover millions of dollars through negotiated settlements and jury verdicts over many years of practice. We offer free consultations to accident victims throughout the Des Moines metropolitan area and handle all truck accident cases on contingency, meaning you will never owe attorney fees unless we succeed in recovering compensation on your behalf.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Truck Accident Cases in Des Moines, IA?

Founding Partners and Attorneys With Extensive Trucking Litigation Experience

Christopher Johnston is a founding partner of Law Group of Iowa who has represented injured clients throughout the state since 2001, giving him more than two decades of experience handling truck accident claims from initial investigation through jury trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. He holds bar admissions in Iowa, Minnesota, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and Federal Court for the District of Minnesota, which allows him to pursue claims across multiple jurisdictions when trucking companies attempt to complicate litigation by involving out-of-state corporate entities or parent companies.

Christopher Martineau is also a founding partner who has practiced since 2003, concentrating on semi-truck collisions, automobile accidents, construction site injuries, wrongful death claims, and other serious personal injury matters throughout Iowa. He holds membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization that limits membership exclusively to attorneys who have actually obtained million-dollar-plus verdicts or settlements for their clients rather than merely claiming to handle significant cases. Chris was raised in Iowa and his family has deep roots in the state dating back to his great-grandfather who settled in Page County, and he views representing fellow Iowans as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Jason Yates is a partner at Law Group of Iowa who joined the firm in 2021 after practicing law since 2009, bringing focused experience in complex trucking and commercial vehicle crash litigation along with valuable insight into how insurance companies approach defending these claims. He is a member of the Iowa Association for Justice and the Iowa State Bar Association, and The National Trial Lawyers organization has recognized him as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer based on his record of results. Jason lives in West Des Moines and has built his practice around preparation, integrity, and genuine accountability to the clients who trust him with their cases.

When you need a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, IA, our firm has the resources and determination to take on trucking companies and fight for the compensation you actually deserve.

Meaningful Results for Truck Accident Victims Across Iowa

Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in truck wrecks and other serious accidents throughout the state by handling every aspect of case preparation with the attention these claims demand. That means gathering critical evidence before trucking companies can destroy or lose it, retaining qualified accident reconstruction specialists when liability is disputed, documenting injuries thoroughly through medical records and testimony from treating physicians, and refusing to accept inadequate settlement offers from insurance carriers who count on injured people accepting whatever amount lands on the table simply to make their cases go away.

The Kind of Investigation That Wins Truck Accident Cases

Prevailing in a truck accident claim typically requires investigating far more thoroughly than you would for a standard car wreck because trucking companies generate extensive documentation that can establish negligence if you know where to look and how to obtain it. We subpoena electronic logging device data that reveals whether drivers violated federal hours-of-service limits, obtain driver personnel files and training records, review the trucking company’s compliance history with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, examine maintenance logs to determine whether trucks had known mechanical defects, and investigate whether drivers were fatigued from spending too many consecutive hours behind the wheel, distracted by cell phones or other devices, or impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. That level of thorough investigation frequently uncovers evidence that dramatically increases what a case is worth.

No Upfront Costs and No Fees Unless We Win

Every truck accident case we accept comes with a contingency fee arrangement, which means you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket to get started and owe no attorney fees whatsoever unless we actually succeed in recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses. This structure exists because we firmly believe that people who have been seriously injured deserve access to quality legal representation regardless of their current financial circumstances, and it ensures that our interests align completely with yours since we only receive payment when you do.

What One Client Says About Our Representation

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“I cannot express enough how pleased and satisfied I am with the service I received. Attorney Chris Johnston is EXCEPTIONAL. He is extremely attentive and worked very hard to reach a settlement that exceeded my expectations. The whole staff made me feel welcomed and were very patient with all of my questions and concerns. Patty is amazing and explained everything in great detail to make me feel comfortable and informed. They are professional but down to earth and I am completely grateful for this experience. Excellence from start to finish. If I could have given 10 stars I would have. I will be recommending to everyone I know ! Thanks for all your hard work!” – Stephanie Sanger

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Des Moines

Commercial truck collisions occur in numerous configurations, and the specific type of crash involved affects how we approach investigation, which parties we pursue for compensation, and what evidence will prove most important during settlement negotiations or at trial.

• 18-wheeler accidents. Fully loaded semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when that enormous mass collides with a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle almost invariably suffer devastating injuries. We pursue claims against trucking companies, individual drivers, and the insurance carriers providing coverage for commercial operations.
• Jackknife wrecks. When truck drivers brake too aggressively or lose control on slippery pavement, trailers can swing outward at severe angles and sweep across multiple lanes of traffic before coming to rest. These crashes frequently involve several vehicles and create complicated liability questions about which parties share responsibility.
• Rear-end collisions. Because fully loaded commercial trucks require substantially greater stopping distances than passenger cars, truckers who follow too closely or react too slowly can crush smaller vehicles and cause catastrophic injuries to occupants even at moderate speeds.
• Rollover accidents. The high center of gravity on commercial trucks makes them susceptible to tipping during sharp turns, sudden evasive maneuvers, or when improperly secured cargo shifts unexpectedly during transport. Rolled semis often block entire roadways for hours and frequently involve multiple vehicles whose occupants need legal representation.
• Wide turn collisions. Due to their substantial length and turning radius, trucks making right turns sometimes swing into adjacent lanes and strike vehicles traveling alongside or pedestrians crossing at intersections. These accidents occur with troubling regularity at busy Des Moines intersections where commercial traffic mixes with local drivers.
• Underride crashes. Few truck accidents produce outcomes as devastating as when a passenger car slides beneath the trailer of a semi-truck, either from behind or from the side. The trailer can shear off the entire roof of the smaller vehicle, causing fatal injuries or severe brain damage requiring lifelong care.
• Hit and run accidents. Some truck drivers leave the scene after causing collisions, whether from panic, fear of consequences, or failure to realize they struck another vehicle. We work to identify responsible parties through witness interviews, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence, pursuing compensation through uninsured motorist coverage when at-fault drivers cannot be located.
• Cargo spill accidents. When loads are inadequately secured, they can shift during transport and fall onto roadways, striking vehicles directly or creating hazards that cause subsequent crashes. Liability often extends beyond the trucking company to include whoever loaded the cargo, and understanding various accident scenarios helps establish responsibility.

If your collision does not fit neatly into one of these categories, contact our office anyway because we have handled virtually every type of commercial vehicle accident that occurs on Iowa highways and Des Moines area roads.

Iowa Legal Requirements for Truck Accident Claims

State law governs how your truck accident case will proceed through the legal system and determines what types of compensation you may recover, making it essential to understand these requirements regardless of whether your case settles or proceeds to trial.

The Filing Deadline That Cannot Be Extended

Under Iowa Code § 614.1, injured accident victims have exactly two years from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries, and families pursuing wrongful death claims have two years from the date of death rather than the accident date itself. Once that statutory deadline passes, you forfeit your right to sue entirely regardless of how compelling your evidence might be or how severe your injuries are, which is precisely why consulting with an attorney promptly makes sense even if you remain uncertain about whether to pursue a case.

How Comparative Fault Affects Your Recovery

Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system under Iowa Code § 668.3, which permits you to recover compensation as long as your own percentage of fault for the accident does not exceed 50 percent. When a jury determines that you bear some share of responsibility for causing the collision, your total compensation gets reduced proportionally by that percentage, so someone awarded $300,000 who is found 20 percent at fault would ultimately receive $240,000 after the reduction.

Federal Trucking Regulations That May Affect Your Case

Commercial trucking companies and their drivers must comply with extensive FMCSA regulations that govern how many consecutive hours drivers can operate vehicles before taking mandatory rest breaks, when and how companies must conduct drug and alcohol testing, what maintenance and inspection requirements apply to commercial vehicles, what qualifications drivers need before operating specific types of trucks, and how cargo must be loaded and secured to prevent dangerous shifting during transport.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in Des Moines?

Iowa law allows truck accident victims to pursue compensation across several distinct categories depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the crash, the nature and severity of injuries sustained, and the evidence available to support the claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for financial losses that carry specific dollar values you can document through medical bills, receipts, pay stubs, tax returns, and similar records. Medical expenses typically constitute the largest category and encompass emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgical procedures, follow-up appointments with specialists, physical therapy and rehabilitation programs, prescription medications, durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs or braces, and any ongoing care you will require in the future due to crash-related injuries. Lost income covers wages you missed while too injured to work, and when injuries are severe enough to affect your long-term earning ability, you can pursue compensation for loss of earning capacity accounting for income you would have earned throughout the remainder of your working life. Property damage covers repairing or replacing your vehicle along with personal belongings destroyed in the collision.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for genuine harms that lack specific price tags but significantly diminish your quality of life nonetheless. Pain and suffering includes physical pain from injuries themselves plus discomfort associated with medical procedures, surgeries, and the recovery process. Emotional distress covers psychological harm commonly following serious truck accidents, including anxiety disorders, clinical depression, post-traumatic stress, sleep disturbances, and difficulty resuming normal routines. Loss of enjoyment of life compensates you when injuries prevent participation in hobbies, recreational activities, family events, and experiences that previously brought happiness.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving particularly egregious or reckless conduct, Iowa courts may award punitive damages under Iowa Code § 668A.1 to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior. A trucking company that knowingly permitted an impaired driver to operate a commercial vehicle or falsified safety inspection records to keep dangerous trucks operating might face punitive damages beyond compensatory damages owed to injured victims.

What Steps Should You Take After a Truck Accident in Des Moines?

The actions you take during the hours and days immediately following a truck accident can substantially affect your ability to recover fair compensation, making it important to understand what steps protect both your health and your legal rights.

1. Move to safety if physically possible without worsening your injuries, and activate hazard lights to alert approaching drivers to the accident scene.
2. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance, since the official police report generated afterward becomes crucial evidence supporting your claim.
3. Seek medical evaluation promptly even when you believe injuries are minor, because conditions like internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, and traumatic brain injuries frequently produce no obvious symptoms until hours or days after collisions.
4. Document the scene thoroughly using your smartphone to photograph damage to all vehicles, skid marks, debris patterns, road conditions, traffic signals, the truck’s license plate, and any company names or logos displayed on the cab or trailer.
5. Obtain contact information from witnesses who observed the accident because their testimony may prove essential if the trucking company later disputes what actually occurred or attempts to blame you.
6. Exchange information with the truck driver including name, commercial driver’s license number, insurance details, and employing company, while avoiding any discussion of fault or statements that might be construed as accepting responsibility.
7. Decline recorded statements when insurance adjusters contact you, since providing such statements before understanding your injuries and legal rights can seriously compromise your case.
8. Preserve all documentation connected to the accident and injuries, including medical bills, pharmacy receipts, insurance correspondence, and records of missed work, while maintaining a daily journal tracking pain levels, symptoms, and how injuries affect normal activities.
9. Avoid social media entirely during the pendency of your case because insurance adjusters actively monitor claimants’ accounts seeking posts they can weaponize to argue injuries are less serious than claimed.
10. Contact a truck accident attorney promptly because critical evidence can vanish quickly when trucking companies repair vehicles, electronic logging data gets overwritten, and witnesses forget details—and an attorney can help preserve essential information before it disappears.

Des Moines Truck Accident Infographic

Truck Accident Statistics in Des Moines and Iowa

Examining data on commercial truck crash frequency and severity helps illustrate why these cases warrant specialized legal attention and why injured victims should approach their claims seriously.

The Iowa Department of Transportation compiles crash statistics statewide, and their data reveals that large commercial trucks are involved in hundreds of Iowa collisions annually, with significant numbers occurring on Interstate 80, Interstate 35, and Interstate 235—all major corridors carrying heavy truck traffic through the Des Moines metropolitan area.

According to information published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks represent approximately 9 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes nationally. The massive size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means occupants of cars and smaller trucks sustain the overwhelming majority of fatalities and serious injuries whenever these different vehicle types collide.

The FMCSA’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report identifies driver fatigue resulting from hours-of-service violations, excessive speed for conditions, distracted driving involving phones and other devices, and impairment from alcohol or drugs as leading factors contributing to truck crashes across the country. Mechanical failures involving defective brakes, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions also play significant roles, along with improperly secured cargo that shifts or falls during transport.

The Des Moines metropolitan area presents particular challenges because commercial trucks serving warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and retail operations must share roads with commuters, school buses, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout Polk County. The Iowa State Patrol responds to serious truck crashes throughout the region and generates accident reports that serve as important evidence in injury claims.

Des Moines Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs

What does hiring a truck accident attorney cost?

We handle every truck accident case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident?

Iowa’s statute of limitations provides two years from the accident date to file personal injury claims, and families bringing wrongful death actions have two years from the date of death.

Can I recover compensation if the truck driver was not at fault?

Other parties may bear legal responsibility even when drivers made no obvious errors, including trucking companies liable for negligent hiring or inadequate training, cargo loading companies responsible for improper securement, and maintenance providers who failed to repair known mechanical defects.

Is it possible to sue the trucking company directly?

Yes, trucking companies are typically liable for accidents their drivers cause under the respondeat superior doctrine, and they may face direct liability for their own failures in hiring, training, supervision, or vehicle maintenance.

What if I was partially responsible for the accident?

Iowa permits recovery when your fault does not exceed 50 percent, though compensation is reduced proportionally by whatever fault percentage is attributed to you.

How much compensation can I expect from my case?

Case value depends on injury severity, total medical expenses, lost income, impact on daily life, and strength of evidence against defendants—we provide honest assessments during free consultations rather than making promises we cannot keep.

How long does resolving a truck accident case typically take?

Some cases settle within months while others require more than a year, particularly when injuries are severe, damages are substantial, or defendants actively dispute liability.

What evidence proves most important in truck accident litigation?

Critical evidence includes police reports, scene photographs, electronic logging device data, driver employment and training records, vehicle maintenance logs, cargo loading documentation, witness statements, and medical records documenting injuries and treatment.

Should I accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer?

Consult an attorney before accepting any offer because early proposals typically fail to account for future medical needs, ongoing disability, or fair compensation for pain and suffering—and accepting means surrendering your right to seek additional compensation later.

What happens if the truck driver was classified as an independent contractor?

Courts examine actual working relationships rather than labels, and companies exercising control over routes, schedules, or methods may face liability regardless of how employment paperwork characterizes the arrangement.

Will pursuing my claim require going to court?

Most truck accident cases settle without trial, but our attorneys are fully prepared to present your case before a jury if insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation.

What if the truck driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash?

Evidence of impairment significantly strengthens claims and may support punitive damages beyond compensatory damages for injuries and losses.

Can I recover compensation when the truck driver fled the scene?

Yes, through investigation to identify responsible parties or through uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy when at-fault drivers cannot be located.

Dangerous Locations for Truck Accidents in Des Moines

Certain areas throughout the Des Moines metropolitan region experience elevated concentrations of commercial truck accidents due to traffic volume, road configurations, and proximity to facilities generating heavy truck activity.

Interstate 80 crosses through the Des Moines metro carrying enormous volumes of commercial truck traffic moving coast to coast, with interchanges at I-35 and I-235 experiencing particularly heavy congestion and frequent accidents involving commercial vehicles.

Interstate 35 runs north-south through the region and serves as a primary corridor for trucks traveling between Minneapolis and Kansas City, creating dangerous mixing zones where long-haul truckers encounter local commuter traffic.

Interstate 235 loops through central Des Moines and handles both commercial trucks accessing downtown businesses and commuters traveling between suburbs, with limited shoulders and tight curves increasing accident risk.

U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 65 carry substantial commercial traffic through Des Moines area communities, creating conflict points at intersections where trucks must navigate alongside local traffic.

Merle Hay Road and Southeast 14th Street serve commercial and industrial areas generating heavy truck traffic throughout the day, with frequent turning movements and driveway access points creating hazards.

Important Local Resources for Truck Accident Victims in Des Moines

This list is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Law Group of Iowa.

• Polk County Sheriff’s Office – (515) 286-3333
• Iowa State Patrol – (515) 725-6090
• Iowa Department of Transportation – (515) 239-1101
• Iowa Motor Vehicle Division – (515) 244-8725
• MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center – (515) 247-3121
• Broadlawns Medical Center – (515) 282-2200
• Iowa Insurance Division – (515) 281-5705

Law Group of Iowa, Des Moines Truck Accident Attorney

Contact Law Group of Iowa

A truck accident can fundamentally transform your life within seconds, leaving you facing medical bills that arrive faster than you can pay them, income you cannot earn because injuries prevent working, physical pain that interferes with everything you attempt, and insurance adjusters focused on protecting trucking company profits rather than compensating you fairly for everything you have actually lost.

Our Des Moines truck accident attorneys provide free consultations to accident victims and handle every case on contingency, meaning you never pay attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident anywhere in Des Moines or the surrounding area, contact us today to schedule your free consultation and discover how we can help pursue the compensation you deserve.