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Des Moines Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in an accident as a pedestrian in Des Moines, West Des Moines, or elsewhere in Iowa, an Advocate can help you recover.

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A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

When a car accident involves pedestrians, it often leads to serious injuries or fatalities. Many pedestrian accident victims find themselves facing lasting physical pain, emotional trauma, and steep medical bills.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, The Advocates’ personal injury attorneys can help. We are committed to helping injured Iowans get their lives back.

Our experienced legal team will listen to your story, build your case, and negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation for your damages. Contact The Advocates personal injury law firm today for a free initial consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Iowa Pedestrian Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

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

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

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 Legal 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
  • Take your case to court if necessary

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Talk to a professional

Iowa Pedestrian Accident Information

Young Man walk in the road with a gas can

Where are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur?

  • Most pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks or in other urban areas.
  • Rural roadways away from intersections see more fatal accidents because vehicles are more likely to travel at high speeds.
  • In Iowa, most motor vehicle accidents, including pedestrian accidents, happen in Polk, Scott, Pottawattamie, and Linn counties. These four counties account for more than 20% of the state’s traffic fatalities.
  • Pedestrians accidents are more likely to happen in dark conditions than during the daytime or at dusk.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

  • Speeding: Drivers should always adhere to the speed limit, especially when pedestrians may be present.
  • Impaired driving or walking: Motorists and pedestrians are both more prone to making unsafe decisions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Distracted driving and/or walking: Cell phone use, fiddling with music, and other activities can cause both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted from their surroundings.
  • Failure to yield right-of-way: It’s important to be familiar with the rules of the road–drivers should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, while pedestrians should yield when crossing at non-crosswalk locations.
  • Poor visibility: Pedestrians should walk in well-lit areas when possible and wear bright or reflective clothing to keep them safe.
  • Pedestrians walking unsafely: Pedestrians should use sidewalks and crosswalks when possible and walk against the flow of traffic.
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Common pedestrian accident injuries 

Because pedestrians are much more vulnerable than occupants of motor vehicles, they often suffer severe injuries in the event of an accident. It is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to suffer:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Internal organ damage
  • Lacerations and bruising

What is the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident?

For any personal injury claim, a plaintiff has a limited amount of time to file. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations.

In Iowa, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally 2 years. However, it is a good idea to file your claim much sooner than that. Personal injury cases can take a long time to settle, so it is a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible.

As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so you can understand your legal options. The sooner your attorney begins working on your claim, the better your chances of receiving a settlement.

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Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.

What types of damages can I recover in a pedestrian accident case?

Every personal injury case is different. The types of damages you may seek compensation for will depend on the severity of your injuries, the amount of treatment you require, and other details of your case.

In general, some common damages sought in personal injury claims include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earnings
  • Property damage
  • Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering
  • Funeral and burial expenses for wrongful death cases

The best way to know the value of your case is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. They will explain your options, walk you through the legal process, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact The Iowa Advocate today for a free consultation.

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Des Moines?

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Move to safety and call 911

If possible, get out of traffic and to a safe place on the side of the road or in a nearby parking lot. Do not leave the scene of the accident—that may be considered a hit-and-run under Iowa law and can lead to criminal charges.

Check yourself and everyone else involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 right away.

File a police report

Even if you do not call for an ambulance, call the police and ask for an officer to be dispatched to the scene. Most insurance companies will require a police report before they approve any claims.

When speaking to the officer, remain calm and stick to the facts. Do not admit fault or speculate on the causes of the accident.

Policeman writing up report on incident where their was a person injured
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Exchange information with the other party

You will need to speak to the driver of the motor vehicle to get their contact and insurance information. Remain calm while doing so, even if they are emotional or upset.

Take down the following information from the driver:

  • Name, address, and phone number
  • License plate number
  • Insurance provider and policy number

Get contact information from any witnesses to the accident. Their accounts of the event may be useful when building your claim.

Take photos of the scene

Pictures and videos may provide useful evidence for your personal injury claim. Take pictures of the following:

  • Your injuries
  • The vehicle from all angles
  • Any traffic signs and signals
  • Weather and traffic conditions
  • Pavement markings and property damage
  • The scene as a whole
Person takes photos of damaged car with smart phone
Female Patient Being Reassured By Doctor In Hospital Room

Seek medical attention

After any kind of auto accident, see a medical professional as soon as possible, even if you do not believe you are injured. You may have hidden injuries that can lead to pain or other complications later on.

Keep track of all treatment you receive, as your medical bills can be added to your personal injury claim.

When Should I Hire a Des Moines Pedestrian Attorney?

If your pedestrian accident left you with physical injuries and financial damages, it’s time to contact an attorney. The Advocates are ready to help you on the road to recovery—all it takes is one phone call.

Your team of Advocates will be there throughout your case to offer sound legal advice, explain the claims process, and fight to get you fair compensation from the responsible party. With an Advocate on your side, you are never alone.

Contact our Des Moines law office for a free case evaluation today. You deserve an attorney who truly cares about you and your family. You deserve an Advocate.

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