Were you hurt in a crash on I-80 or I-35 near Des Moines?
At Hope Law Firm, we have handled catastrophic big-rig wrecks on I-80 and I-35 and pursue full recovery for people injured on Iowa’s interstates.
If a semi or another driver hits you at highway speed on I-80 or I-35, you are likely dealing with severe injuries and financial stress. Our Des Moines, IA I-80 and I-35 accident lawyer can level that field, preserve the evidence, and pursue the full value of your claim. Our founder has represented injured Iowans for more than two decades, and the firm has handled serious highway and tractor-trailer cases across the state. Reach out for a free consultation before you give any statement to the other side’s insurer.
I-80 and I-35 Accident Lawyer Des Moines, IA
An I-80 and I-35 accident lawyer investigates the driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle data behind a high-speed interstate crash. We move fast to secure black-box downloads, driver logs, and dashcam footage before they disappear, then build a claim for the full cost of your injuries. Interstate wrecks are rarely simple, and the other side starts working within hours. The trucking company’s insurer wants to lock in a version of events before you have a lawyer of your own.
The I-35 and I-80 corridor through the Des Moines metro carries more than 125,000 vehicles a day, the busiest stretch of interstate in Iowa, and the state is rebuilding the interchange to reduce crashes. An I-80 and I-35 accident attorney in Des Moines knows these interchanges, the merge points, and the injuries that follow a crash at 70 miles per hour.
Types of I-80 and I-35 Accident Cases We Handle in Des Moines
Interstate crashes come in many forms, and the ones involving heavy commercial vehicles are the most devastating. We handle the full range of wrecks on I-80 and I-35, from car collisions to truck accident claims and multi-vehicle pileups, along with bus accidents and other commercial-vehicle crashes. Each one demands a different investigation, and the heavier the vehicle, the higher the stakes. These are the cases our firm sees most often.
- Semi-truck and tractor-trailer wrecks. A loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, twenty times a passenger car. At interstate speed the damage is catastrophic. We pursue the driver and the company behind them.
- Jackknife and rollover crashes. A truck that loses control can fold or flip across multiple lanes. These wrecks often involve several vehicles. We reconstruct exactly how the chain of events began.
- Rear-end and chain-reaction pileups. Sudden slowdowns at highway speed cause devastating rear impacts. On a crowded interstate, one collision quickly becomes many. We sort out who set the crash in motion.
- Underride collisions. When a car slides beneath a trailer, the injuries are frequently fatal. Missing or defective guards can be part of the claim. We examine the truck’s equipment closely.
- Merge, ramp, and interchange crashes. The Mixmaster interchanges and busy on-ramps around Des Moines are high-risk points. A missed blind spot or forced merge can end in disaster. We pull the data that shows what happened.
- Fatigued or over-hours truck drivers. Federal limits cap how long a trucker can drive, and trucking violations are a common cause of serious crashes. Driver logs often tell the real story. We obtain them early.
- Construction-zone crashes. With the interchange under reconstruction, lane shifts and sudden stops raise the danger. Speed differences in work zones cause hard impacts. We hold careless drivers accountable.
- Fatal crashes and wrongful death. When an interstate wreck takes a life, the family can bring a claim for their loss. We handle these cases with the seriousness they deserve.
Why Choose Hope Law Firm as my I-80 and I-35 Accident Lawyer in Des Moines, IA?
Experience With Interstate Truck Wrecks
Founder Andrew L. Hope has represented injured Iowans for more than 20 years, and the firm has handled catastrophic big-rig wrecks on I-80 and I-35. He studied law at the University of Iowa, has earned recognition from Martindale-Hubbell, and belongs to the American Association for Justice. When a trucking company sends its own team, our personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, IA is ready to respond and advocate for you and your recovery.
You Pay Nothing Until We Win
We handle interstate accident claims on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you. The consultation is free, and we will tell you plainly whether you have a case and what it may be worth before you commit to anything.
Understanding I-80 and I-35 Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for I-80 and I-35 Accident Cases
Iowa allows both economic and non-economic damages, and an interstate crash often reaches deep into both. A claim can include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle replacement and other property damage
- Lasting harm, including spinal cord injuries that require lifelong care
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
Liability can be shared among several parties, from the driver to the trucking company to a cargo loader. Iowa follows comparative fault, so your award is reduced by your share of the blame and ends entirely if your fault is greater than the combined fault of those you sue. Sorting that out is where a thorough investigation pays off, and where proving fault takes more than a police report. Naming every liable party also means more insurance coverage is available to pay for a serious injury.
What Are Important Aspects of an I-80 and I-35 Accident Case?
Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long a trucker can drive, and fatigue is a factor in roughly one in eight serious truck crashes. When a company pushes those limits, it can share the blame. Because this evidence can be overwritten in days, and because knowing how long you have to sue matters, it pays to act fast.
A few things carry particular influence in an interstate truck case.
- Black-box and electronic logging device data from the truck
- Driver hours-of-service records and inspection reports
- The trucking company’s hiring and maintenance history
- Prompt medical care that ties your injuries to the crash
What Is The I-80 and I-35 Accident Case Timeline?
First comes medical treatment and a rapid investigation to preserve truck data before it is lost. Then we identify every responsible party, calculate the full cost of your injuries, and send a demand to the insurers. If they refuse to pay fairly, we file suit and prepare for trial. Iowa sets a two-year limit on filing, so we open the file early and work backward from that deadline. Serious injuries take longer, because we will not value a claim before the medical picture is clear.
What Should You Bring to Your I-80 and I-35 Accident Consultation?
You do not need a full file to meet with us, but a few items help us move quickly. Take these to your consultation with us if you have them available.
- The crash report or its report number
- Photos of the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries
- The name of the trucking company, if a truck was involved
- Insurance details for everyone in the crash
- Medical records and bills you have so far
Bring what you have and we can obtain the rest, including winter driving conditions and other factors that can shift the blame.
Most Dangerous Locations for I-80 and I-35 Accidents in Des Moines
Some points along the interstate see far more crashes than others, driven by heavy volume and constant merging. A few stand out around the metro.
High-crash interstate segments:
- The West Mixmaster, where I-35 and I-80 meet in West Des Moines
- The Northeast Mixmaster, where the two interstates split near Ankeny
- I-235 through downtown, the busiest roadway in Iowa
- The I-80/I-35 and Hickman Road interchange, now under reconstruction
Why these stretches are dangerous:
- Traffic volumes that already strain the interchange’s capacity
- Frequent lane changes and short merge distances
- Active construction zones with sudden slowdowns
- Fast-moving trucks sharing lanes with local commuters
State and federal transportation officials counted nearly 1,000 crashes at the West Des Moines interchange between 2018 and 2022, which is one reason it is being rebuilt. You can review statewide numbers in Iowa crash data published by the Iowa DOT.
Reach Out to Hope Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
A wreck at interstate speed can upend everything, and the sooner we start, the more of the evidence we can protect. Your consultation is free, and you owe no fee unless we recover for you. We will explain your options, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of the claim. Contact us to speak with a Des Moines I-80 and I-35 accident attorney while we handle the trucking company and its insurer.
