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Des Moines Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving a semi-truck, an Advocate can help you recover.

Attorneys make cases behind their desk

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Semi-truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, steep medical bills, and extensive property damage, thanks to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Many accident victims feel like their lives will never be the same after their crash.

The Iowa Advocates are here to help. Our skilled personal injury attorneys have years of experience in helping injury victims with their commercial truck accident cases. We will be by your side every step of the way, answering your questions and advocating for your best interests.

Our legal team will gather evidence for your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve under Iowa law.

If you believe you have a valid personal injury case or wrongful death claim after a truck accident, contact The Advocates for a free case evaluation.

The Next Steps In Your Iowa Truck Accident Case

Injury

Check for injuries immediately after your accident

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates for legal advice and representation

Treatment

Seek medical care for your injuries

Property Damage

Get your vehicle repaired

Finish Treatment

When 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, meaning 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 payments 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 before a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have been helping victims navigate their truck accident cases, and we are ready to do the same for you. We are a capable, compassionate legal team who make it our mission to help our clients with all aspects of their recovery, not just negotiation and litigation.

In addition to providing legal representation, The Advocates are prepared to help you:

  • Access necessary medical treatment
  • Find body shops in your area for vehicle repairs
  • Get a rental car if needed
  • Communicate with your employer regarding your injuries
  • Keep track of expenses and paperwork related to your accident

 

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Iowa Truck Accident FAQs

Tired truck driver feeling sleepy and sick

What are the most common causes of truck accidents?

  • Driver fatigue: Trucking companies often incentivize their drivers to work long hours, potentially leading to drowsy driving.
  • Distracted driving: Texting, eating, or any other activity that causes motorists to take focus off of the road increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
  • Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol creates a hazard for everyone on the road, regardless of the type of vehicle you drive.
  • Mechanical failure: One of the most common causes of semi-truck crashes is faulty equipment, particularly worn-out tires.
  • Improper passing or turning: When a passenger vehicle cuts off a big-rig, the truck may have trouble stopping in time to avoid an accident.
  • Bad weather: When visibility is low or roads are slick, cars and trucks may lose control.

What are the most common truck accident injuries?

Truck collisions can lead to catastrophic injuries, particularly for occupants of passenger vehicles. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Internal organ damage
  • Lacerations and bruising
Truck driver candidate showing CDL driving license. Successfully passed training driving exam.

What is required to obtain a CDL?

Truck drivers must be at least 18 to hold a Commercial Driver’s License and operate a commercial vehicle in the state of Iowa. 

To obtain an Iowa CDL, a potential truck driver must prove residency within the state, speak and read English, and hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before applying for a CDL. They must also complete Entry-Level Driver Training and take a knowledge and/or skills test.

What condition must a truck be in to drive?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the driver of a tractor-trailer must make sure that his or her truck is in good working order at all times. 

“Good working order” means the truck must have properly functioning:

  • Brakes
  • Steering devices
  • Lights
  • Tires
  • Mirrors
  • Wipers
  • Horn 

If any of the truck’s components are not working correctly or are in poor condition, the truck may not be driven until the issue has been fixed. A failure of any one of these pieces of equipment can cause a major safety hazard for the trucker and others on the road.

Truck driver inspecting safety check a truck tires

How many hours are truckers allowed to work?

To combat driver fatigue, the FMCSA set forth a federal Hours of Service Rule. This rule states that a truck driver may only operate their vehicle for a maximum of 11 consecutive hours after 10 hours off-duty. The longest amount of time a trucker may be on duty (driving or not) is 14 hours. 

The only exception to this rule is in adverse driving conditions, when traffic may be moving slower than usual. Additionally, truck drivers are required to take a 30-minute break every 8 hours.

Because truckers are often paid by the mile, they may feel incentivized to drive for long hours. This federal law aims to ensure that truckers are well-rested and alert when behind the wheel.

What is the statute of limitations for truck accidents?

Every personal injury claim is subject to a time limit known as the statute of limitations. Once this time limit is up, you lose your right to file a claim. The exact amount of time you have depends on the state, the type of case, and the factual details surrounding the case.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Iowa is generally two years, but there are several factors that can impact this timeline. You may have less time than you think. The best way to know how long you have to file your claim is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Business people discussion advisor concept

What to Do After an Accident with a Large Truck

Woman check phone after a car accident

Move to safety and check for injuries

If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic, but do not leave the scene. Doing so could be considered a hit-and-run and could have serious legal consequences.

Check yourself and everyone else involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone has serious injuries, call 911 right away.

File a police report

Even if you do not need an ambulance, you should still call the police and ask for an officer to be dispatched to the scene. They will file a report, which many insurance companies require before approving any claims.

When speaking to the officer, do not admit fault or speculate on the causes of the accident. Simply give a factual account of what happened.

Police files a report on the hood of his car
father and daughter walking along the city street discuss an important topic

Exchange information

After any kind of motor vehicle accident, you should exchange information with the driver of the other vehicle. Emotions may be running high, so do you best to remain calm and collected. Do not apologize to the other driver—doing so could be construed as an admission of fault.

 

Get the following information from the driver of the truck:

  • Their name, phone number, and address
  • The truck’s license plate number
  • Their employer’s name, phone number, and address
  • Their auto insurance provider and policy number

If you can, get contact information from any witnesses to the accident. Their account of the events may help build your case later on.

Notify your insurance company

Even if you are not at fault for the accident, let your auto insurance provider know that it happened. You may have no-fault insurance coverage that can help pay for some of your immediate medical expenses.

Woman calls her insurance company after being rear-ended
Female Patient Being Reassured By Doctor In Hospital Room

Seek medical attention

See a medical professional as soon as you can after the accident and keep up with treatment. If you choose to file a personal injury claim, you will need to show that you have been treating your injuries. Your medical bills will be added to your injury claim.

When Should I Hire a Des Moines Truck Accident Attorney?

If you are dealing with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial damages after a truck accident, it’s time to contact The Advocates personal injury law firm. Our competent, compassionate attorneys understand the struggles you are facing and are ready to guide you through the recovery process.

We can help you access excellent medical care, get your car repaired, and set up liens to keep your bills from going to collections. We’ll build your case, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and do everything we can to get you fair compensation for your damages. With an Advocate on your side, you are never alone.

Contact our Des Moines office today for a free consultation. You deserve an attorney who truly cares about you, your loved ones, and your truck accident claim. You deserve an Advocate.

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