Windsor Heights Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

From broken bones to head trauma, pedestrian accidents injure victims like you from head to toe. You’re worried about whether you’ll walk again and how you’re going to pay for all the medical care you need when you’re not even sure when you’ll get back to work. We understand, and at Law Group of Iowa, we help people like you. You may be eligible for a large settlement that can lift these financial burdens and compensate you for your accident-related losses. Learn more in a consultation with our Windsor Heights, IA pedestrian accident lawyer.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Windsor Heights, IA

The recovery process from a pedestrian accident is usually long and painful, and many victims don’t have the strength (or sometimes even the capability) to properly advocate for their legal rights after the incident. You’re entitled to compensation from the party responsible for your pedestrian accident, but only if you can prove that they were negligent and that their negligence caused the accident and your injuries. When you’re not even sure if you’ll be able to walk again, or suffered head trauma that makes thinking clearly a challenge, mounting an effective case against a negligent driver can seem like an impossible task.

So how can you get the money that you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses? We’re here to help you. Our Windsor Heights pedestrian accident lawyer stands up for injured people like you. We build the case, we file the legal complaint, and we investigate the matter to prove the other party’s negligence. Our goal is to recover full and fair compensation for all your accident-related medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitative care. We’re your representative, and we want what’s best for you. So, you focus on healing, and let our experienced attorneys and support team handle the rest.

Why Our Experience Matters In Pedestrian Accident Cases

Victims in pedestrian accidents often have expensive medical damages, which the insurance company usually contests. As your Windsor Heights pedestrian accident lawyer, we prepare a strong case justifying the damages we seek, based on our thorough knowledge of Iowa tort laws and strong evidence. Whether we’re negotiating a settlement with the insurance company or taking your case to trial, we have the firm resources and skill to achieve the best possible outcome.

• Firm lead attorney Christopher Martineau brings valuable perspective from prior experience with a major insurance carrier, offering unique insight into defense strategies
• Our attorneys deliver more than 60 years of combined legal experience, serving clients statewide in Iowa
• Tens of millions of dollars recovered on behalf of clients like you
• Top-rated by Super Lawyers
• Proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Have you been hurt in a pedestrian accident and need to learn your rights? Call Law Group of Iowa today for a consultation.

If you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Windsor Heights, you may be dealing with serious injuries, growing medical debt, and an insurance company that has no interest in paying you what your claim is actually worth. These cases move fast on the insurance side, even when your recovery is just beginning.

Our Windsor Heights, IA pedestrian accident lawyer at Law Group of Iowa has represented injured pedestrians and their families across central Iowa for more than 17 years. We offer free consultations, and we don’t charge any fees unless we recover money for you.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Windsor Heights, IA?

Attorneys With Deep Roots in Iowa Personal Injury Law

Christopher Johnston is a founding partner of Law Group of Iowa and has been practicing since 2001. He has handled car accidents, wrongful death claims, motorcycle collisions, civil rights matters, and pedestrian injury cases throughout the state. Chris is admitted to practice in Iowa, Minnesota, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and Federal Court in Minnesota. He was named an Up and Coming Attorney of The Year in 2007 and was recognized as a Rising Star by Minnesota Law and Politics in 2011. He is also a member of the Iowa Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Minnesota Association for Justice.

Christopher Martineau is the firm’s other founding partner and has practiced since 2003. He brings significant trial experience to pedestrian accident cases and also handles automobile accidents, slip and fall injuries, construction site claims, and wrongful death litigation. Chris Martineau is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is limited to attorneys who have achieved verdicts or settlements exceeding one million dollars.

Together, our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury cases in Iowa, and that track record directly affects how insurance adjusters approach negotiations on your pedestrian accident claim.

A Personal Injury Lawyer in Windsor Heights Who Builds Cases for Full Value

Pedestrian injuries tend to be far more severe than injuries sustained inside a vehicle because the person on foot has absolutely no structural protection. We see broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and spinal cord injuries in these cases on a regular basis.

Insurance companies know the medical costs are high, so they look for every opportunity to shift blame onto the pedestrian or argue that the injuries are not as serious as the medical records indicate. Some adjusters push for a quick settlement before you even understand the full extent of what your recovery will require. As a personal injury lawyer in Windsor Heights, we investigate every angle of the crash, obtain traffic camera footage, talk to witnesses, and coordinate with your doctors to make sure the true scope of your injuries is documented and accounted for.

No Upfront Costs to You

We take pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket to get started and owe no attorney fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your medical treatment while we handle the legal process.

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“Johnston/Martineau is an excellent personal injury firm. They are very attentive to their clients and take the time to answer any and all questions to ease the process as much as possible, allowing clients to focus on their healing. I would highly recommend them!” — Debra Larson

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Windsor Heights

Pedestrian crashes happen in many different ways, and the legal issues in each scenario can vary significantly. Below are the types of pedestrian injury cases our Windsor Heights attorneys regularly handle.

• Crosswalk accidents. When a driver fails to yield at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, they are violating Iowa law and can be held liable for the injuries they cause. We pursue full compensation in cases where motorists ignore a pedestrian’s right of way.
• Intersection collisions. A large number of pedestrian accidents happen when drivers make left or right turns without checking for people who are already in the crosswalk. Distracted or impatient drivers cause some of the most devastating intersection injuries in Windsor Heights.
• Hit and run accidents. According to NHTSA pedestrian data, roughly one in four fatal pedestrian crashes nationally involves a driver who flees the scene. We work closely with law enforcement and gather surveillance footage to identify the responsible driver and hold them accountable.
• Distracted driving crashes. Texting, scrolling through a navigation app, or eating behind the wheel can all cause a driver to miss a pedestrian entirely. We use cell phone records and other forms of digital evidence to prove distraction contributed to the collision.
• Backing-up accidents. Parking lots, driveways, and residential streets throughout Windsor Heights see collisions where drivers reverse without properly checking behind them, and children and older adults are especially vulnerable in these situations.
• Drunk driving pedestrian crashes. NHTSA reports that alcohol involvement was a factor in 46% of all fatal pedestrian crashes in the United States in 2023. When an impaired driver strikes a pedestrian, we pursue every available avenue of recovery, including potential claims against establishments that overserved the driver.

Iowa Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Several Iowa statutes directly shape how pedestrian accident claims work, and understanding them gives you a clearer picture of where your case stands.

Under Iowa Code § 321.327, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. A driver who fails to yield commits a simple misdemeanor under the statute, and in civil cases, that violation serves as strong evidence of negligence.

Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system, which is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 668. Under this system, if you share some of the blame for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can still recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Once you reach 51% or more, Iowa law bars you from recovering anything at all. Insurance companies routinely try to assign fault to the pedestrian in these situations, which is a major reason why having a pedestrian accident attorney in Windsor Heights matters.

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Iowa is two years from the date of the accident, as established by Iowa Code § 614.1(2). If you do not file suit or settle your claim within that period, you permanently lose the right to pursue compensation. Two years may seem generous, but building a solid case requires months of medical treatment, document collection, and negotiation. For cases involving minors, Iowa Code § 614.8 generally allows one year from the minor’s 18th birthday to file, though a parent or guardian can act sooner.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Windsor Heights Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Because a pedestrian has no protection against a vehicle that may weigh several thousand pounds, the injuries in these cases are often severe and the resulting damages are substantial.

Economic damages cover the financial losses that can be documented and calculated. This category typically includes emergency room treatment, surgical procedures, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care your doctors anticipate. If you’ve been unable to work during your recovery, or if your injuries have permanently reduced your ability to earn what you earned before the accident, lost wages and diminished earning capacity also factor into your claim. Some pedestrian accident victims in Windsor Heights require long-term rehabilitation for soft tissue injuries, assistive devices, or home modifications, and all of those costs are recoverable as well.

Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not come with a specific dollar amount attached. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and the loss of enjoyment of activities that were part of your daily life before the accident. Iowa does not impose a cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means a jury has the authority to award whatever it considers fair based on the evidence presented. The long-term consequences of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage often play a central role in these calculations.

Punitive damages may be available in Iowa when the defendant’s behavior was willful and wanton, meaning it went beyond ordinary negligence. A driver who was intoxicated and ran through a red light before striking a pedestrian, for example, could face a punitive damages claim. These awards serve to punish especially reckless conduct and to deter similar behavior by others. Iowa law requires clear and convincing evidence to support a punitive damages award.

When a pedestrian accident results in the death of a loved one, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Recoverable damages in those cases include funeral and burial expenses, the deceased’s future lost earnings, loss of companionship, and the mental suffering experienced by surviving family members.

Contact Law Group of Iowa

If you or a family member was hurt in a pedestrian accident in Windsor Heights, IA, our attorneys are ready to review your case at no cost and with no obligation. We handle these claims on a contingency basis, so you will not owe any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

When you call for a consultation, we will go over the facts of your accident, explain how Iowa’s pedestrian laws apply to your situation, and give you a straightforward assessment of what to expect going forward. We are available to meet at our Windsor Heights office or by phone, whichever is more convenient.

Contact us today to speak with a pedestrian accident attorney in Windsor Heights about your case.