Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member is currently facing the aftermath of a car accident or other type of personal injury accident, you may be wondering how you will ever get your life back on track. With physical injuries, mental anguish, property damage, and medical expenses to deal with, it’s understandable for victims to become overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed.

You do not have to face this challenge alone. A personal injury attorney with The Iowa Advocates can help. We will build your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve so that you and your loved ones can focus on recovering.

Case evaluations are always 100% free—contact our Des Moines law office today to speak to a lawyer.

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The Advocates' Des Moines Office

505 5th Avenue
Des Moines, IA, 50309

Our office is located in downtown Des Moines in the Insurance Exchange Building. We take cases all over the state of Iowa, from Council Bluffs to Cedar Rapids and everywhere in between.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do The Advocates Handle?

We handle many types of personal injury lawsuits, from motor vehicle accidents to premises liability cases. Our practice areas are listed below:

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, give us a call. We will listen to your story and determine whether you have a case at no cost.

Why Should I Hire a Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer with The Advocates?

Some accident victims choose to forgo hiring legal representation for their personal injury claims, fearing steep attorney fees or lengthy trial processes. Unfortunately, without the help of an experienced accident attorney, they often end up accepting lowball offers that do not fully cover their damages.

The Advocates personal injury law firm has years of experience representing injured Iowans and we are ready to help you too. We can help you understand the worth of your case and are committed to getting you fair compensation for your damages.

In addition to skilled legal counsel, our team offers the compassionate, personalized care you need when recovering from an accident. We can help you access medical care, repair your bike or vehicle, and even communicate with your employer regarding your injuries.

How Much Will I Have to Pay for a Des Moines Advocate?

If you are hesitant to seek legal counsel due to uncertainty about attorney fees, we have good news: you will pay nothing out-of-pocket to have an Advocate on your side. Instead of requiring a retainer and billing by the hour, we work on what is known as a “contingency fee basis.”

This means that after your free initial consultation, we will get to work on your case right away. Once your case settles and you receive a payout, our attorney fees will be calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not make any money until we win your case. You can rest assured knowing that our goal is the same as yours: to get you maximum compensation for your damages.

How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case in Des Moines?

The best way to know whether you have a case is to speak with an experienced Des Moines injury attorney. Your attorney will ask you about your accident, the injuries you suffered, and the financial damages you’ve incurred as a result. They will use this information to determine whether it is worth your time to pursue an injury claim.

Iowa follows a rule of modified comparative negligence. This means that even if you are found partially at fault for your accident, you may still be able to recover damages. In personal injury accidents, fault is assigned as a percentage—for example, one party may be found to be 75% responsible, while another is assigned 25% of the fault. Only the party with the lesser share of the fault can recover compensation.

Your attorney will build your case to prove the other party’s negligence. This includes establishing the following elements:

Duty of care: You must prove that the at-fault party had a responsibility to act with reasonable care to keep you safe. For example, all drivers are expected to follow traffic laws and avoid accidents.
Breach of duty: You must prove that the defendant failed to act with reasonable care to keep you safe. A driver who speeds through a red light and causes an auto accident may be found to have breached their duty of care.
Causation: You must prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
Damages: You must be able to show that you have incurred damages as a result of your accident. Medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and property damage repairs are common personal injury damages.

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Do All Cases Go to Trial?

Most personal injury cases do not go to trial. Your Advocate will work tirelessly to get you a settlement without having to go to litigation. This does not mean that they will accept the first settlement offer the insurance company makes, however.

In many cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will try lowballing the accident victim, hoping that they will settle right away for less money than they deserve. This may leave the victim with bills they still cannot pay. Your attorney can help you understand how much your case is worth and fight for maximum compensation.

Some cases are settled in a matter of months, while others may take years, depending on the severity of the injuries involved and the other party’s willingness to settle.

If the other party isn’t willing to make a fair offer, your Advocate may advise that you take your case to court. In this case, our legal team will build your lawsuit and argue your case in front of a judge and/or jury. We will do everything we can to get you a favorable verdict.

What Types of Damages Can I Sue for in a Des Moines Personal Injury Claim?

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for calculating damages in a personal injury claim. The damages you may seek will depend on the type of accident, the severity of your injuries, and the financial damages you have suffered.

Some common personal injury damages include:

Medical bills
Lost wages and loss of future earnings
Property damage
Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering
Funeral and burial expenses for victims of wrongful death

During your free consultation, your Advocate will examine the details of your case and help you understand the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.

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

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

It is best not to put off contacting an attorney after your accident. All personal injury victims must file their claim within a certain amount of time or risk losing their right of action. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations.

Under Iowa law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years. There are several factors that may shorten or lengthen that time frame for your case, so it’s important to seek legal advice right away.

Two years may seem like a long time, but personal injury cases can take a long time to settle. In most cases, you will need to be finished treating your injuries before you receive a settlement, so that you can be fairly compensated for all your medical expenses.

Contact

If you’ve suffered serious injuries or the loss of a loved one after an accident, it’s time to contact The Advocates. Our Des Moines personal injury attorneys are standing by, ready to get you and your family on the road to recovery.

Call us, use the chat feature at the bottom of your screen, or fill out our contact form to speak with an attorney today. You deserve an attorney who will put you and your family first. You deserve an Advocate.

Locations

505 5th Avenue Des Moines, IA, 50309