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Iowa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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

A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Any car accident can be a devastating event, but this is especially true when pedestrians are involved. Because pedestrians are much smaller than motor vehicles and are more vulnerable than motorists, they often suffer more serious injuries.

The Advocates’ personal injury attorneys have been representing pedestrian accident victims for three decades. We understand the difficulties you are facing in the wake of your accident and we are committed to helping you throughout the recovery process to get your life back on track.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in Iowa, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact The Advocates law firm today for a free initial consultation.

The Next Steps In Your 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 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

Consultations are always free. You will pay nothing to speak with an attorney to discuss your case.
Additionally, The Advocates work on a contingency basis. This means that there are zero upfront costs to hire an attorney. The eventual fee you will pay your attorney will be calculated as a percentage of your settlement. Our fee will come out of that settlement, not your pocket.

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.

We Get Results

$500 Million

In Settlements

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!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Iowa Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Man in black outfit walks across crosswalk while car makes a right turn. Motion blur

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
  • 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

Iowa pedestrian accident statistics

Graphic depicting pedestrians in blue
Distracted driver looks down a cell phone.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

  • Speeding: When drivers travel too fast, they decrease their reaction time and increase the risk of injury or death.
  • 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
  • Poor visibility: When pedestrians walk at night or in areas with low visibility, it increases their chances of being hit by a car. 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 when possible and walk against the flow of traffic. Being as predictable as possible is the best way to keep yourself safe while walking.

Common pedestrian accident injuries

Depending on the severity of the accident, pedestrian injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. It is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to suffer:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising
Common bicycle accident injuries

Iowa Pedestrian Laws

Pedestrian on a crosswalk in front of stopped cars

Where can pedestrians cross the street?

Iowa law states that pedestrians may cross the street in the following locations:

  • At a marked crosswalk
  • At an unmarked crosswalk (typically at intersections with a sidewalk on either side)
  • Using a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing

Motor vehicles should yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If a pedestrian crosses the street at any point besides a crosswalk, they must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles.
If a traffic control light is in operation at a non-intersection location, pedestrians may only cross in marked crosswalks.

Where should pedestrians walk when there is no sidewalk?

Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs should always use the sidewalk when possible and practicable. When a sidewalk is not present, pedestrians should:

  • Walk on the shoulder of the road, as far from the roadway as possible
  • Walk against traffic (usually the left side of the road)
  • Strive to remain as visible as possible– wear bright and/or reflective clothing, especially at night
Pedestrian walks on the side of an empty country road
Man on scooter rides on the sidewalk

Who can use the sidewalk besides pedestrians?

There is no state law regarding the operation of bicycles and scooters on sidewalks.
Many municipalities, however, have their own ordinances regarding bicycles, motorized scooters, and mopeds on sidewalks. It’s important to familiarize yourself with local laws before riding.

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.

Attorney discusses case with client

When Should I Hire an Iowa Pedestrian Attorney?

Not every personal injury case requires an attorney. However, if you are dealing with pain, injuries, emotional trauma, and/or financial damages in the wake of your accident, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer on your side.
Your attorney with The Advocates will help you throughout your entire recovery. We understand that every injury case is different, so we’ll provide you with help that meets your unique needs. If you need assistance finding excellent medical care or getting your bills paid on time, your Advocate can help.

Additionally, insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility for your injury. It will likely not be an easy road to obtaining fair compensation for your damages. Our team will take care of the claims process for you, so you can focus on feeling better.
We are here to help every step of the way–with an Advocate, you are never alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who truly cares about you and your well-being. You deserve an Advocate.

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