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Ankeny Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in Ankeny or elsewhere in the Des Moines metro area, The Iowa Advocates are here for you.

Attorneys make cases behind their desk

A Car Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Personal injury claims can be overwhelming without the right legal representation. After suffering an injury, perhaps the last thing you want to do is keep track of deadlines, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight to protect your own legal rights.

The Advocates personal injury law firm will take care of all that and more. Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to helping injured Iowans throughout their entire recovery.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, you need a skilled personal injury attorney on your side. Contact The Iowa Advocates today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Iowa Car Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get the damage on your car assessed and fixed

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.
Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Car Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Iowa Car Accident Statistics

Des Moines, the capital of the state of Iowa, United States of America

Des Moines metro area statistics and information

 

  • The Des Moines metro area consists of six counties: Polk, Warren, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, and Guthrie.
  • More than 700,000 people live in the Des Moines metro area. 
  • Ankeny is the third-most populous city in the area, after Des Moines and West Des Moines.
  • In the 10-year period from 2013 to 2022, Polk County saw an average of 29.6 traffic fatalities each year, the most of any county in the state of Iowa.
  • In 2022, the six-county metro area accounted for about 16% of all car accident fatalities in the state.
  • Though urban areas like Ankeny see more accidents than rural areas, rural crashes account for more than two-thirds of all accident fatalities each year in the state.

All statistics come from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Statistics and Research Studies and the 2020 United States Census.

Common causes of car accidents

  • Distracted driving: Using cell phones, eating, drinking, applying makeup, and talking to passengers are all activities that can distract a driver and cause an accident.
  • Impaired driving: Car accidents are far more likely to happen when one or more drivers is under the influence.
  • Adverse weather conditions: Iowa is prone to snowy and icy conditions that can lead to accidents, though most accidents occur during the summer months.
  • Following too closely: Tailgating is a form of reckless driving that often leads to rear-end crashes.
  • Improper passing: Illegal passing on rural roads can lead to head-on collisions.
Close-up Of Woman Sitting Inside Car Typing Text Message On Mobile Phone

Common car accident injuries 

After a car crash, many accident victims face catastrophic injuries. Even minor injuries, however, can be life-altering. Some common car accident injuries include:

  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Internal damage
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Broken teeth
  • Muscle strains
  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations and bruising

Iowa Personal Injury Law FAQs

Mature man making a phone call after a car accident.

What should I do after a car accident in Ankeny?

Any driver who knows or should have reasonably known that they have been involved in an accident that caused property damage, injury, or death must stop as close to the scene of the accident as is safe. The driver has a duty to render reasonable assistance (such as calling for medical attention) and exchange information with the other driver. 
Failure to remain at the scene may be considered a hit-and-run. In Iowa, a hit-and-run may be charged as a simple misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, or felony, depending on the circumstances.
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, be sure to do the following:

  • Move your car out of traffic (if possible).
  • If anyone has serious injuries, call 911.
  • File a police report—your own auto insurance company may require one before approving any claims.
  • Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other party.
  • Seek medical care, as you may have hidden injuries that can cause complications later on.
  • File a car accident claim with your own insurance provider.
  • Consider contacting an auto accident attorney.

The Advocates offer free case evaluations to discuss your potential claim with an attorney 100% risk-free. Our legal team will examine the factual information about your case and help you understand your options.

How do I know how much my personal injury case is worth?

Every personal injury case is different and must be judged on its own merits. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for calculating a settlement or potential damages.
As a general guideline, some common damages from car accidents include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages, including loss of future earnings
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering
  • Funeral expenses (in the case of wrongful death)

The best way to know how much your potential case may be worth is to speak with an injury attorney. They will be able to more accurately assess your damages, explain your legal rights, and get started on your accident lawsuit.

Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost, selective focus. All data on the bill and form design are fictional, created specially for this concept.
Mature man addresses car damage while on the phone

How is liability assigned for car accidents in Ankeny?

Iowa follows the modified comparative negligence rule. This means that more than one party can be found at-fault. Fault will be assigned as a percentage (for example, one party may be assigned 85% fault while the other party is assigned 15% of the blame). 
An injured person can seek compensation for their damages as long as they are not assigned more than 50% of the fault for the accident.
If you are found partially responsible for the accident, any settlement you receive will be reduced according to the percentage of blame assigned to you.

How long do I have to file an accident claim?

One common misconception in personal injury law is the idea that you can file a claim at any time. In reality, every case has a time limit before you lose your right to file. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
Under Iowa law, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is generally two years. There are several factors that can impact this time frame, so it’s a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer to determine how long you have to file.

Gavel and clock on blue background

When Should I Hire an Ankeny Car Accident Attorney?

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, truck accident, or other kind of motor vehicle collision, it’s a good idea to contact an attorney. The Advocates have years of experience helping accident victims build their cases, negotiate with insurance providers, and obtain fair compensation for their damages.

When you hire an Advocate, you get attention and care that cater to your individual situation. Your team will offer sound legal advice, assist you in accessing medical care, and help you set up liens to keep your medical bills from going to collections.
We represent injury victims all over the state of Iowa and the Des Moines metro area. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation. You deserve legal services personalized to your unique needs. You deserve an Advocate.

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