Des Moines Car Accident Attorneys

Pursuing the Recoveries You Deserve After a Car Crash

A car accident can have a devastating effect on you and your family. You may sustain serious personal injury and property damage. You may also suffer the economic hardship of medical bills, repair bills, rental car expenses, and lost income because you cannot work.

To receive fair compensation for all the damages you sustained, contact Hope Law Firm. Our car accident attorneys in Des Moines have the experience needed to assist you in every step of the legal process when seeking fair compensation for your losses.

Call (515) 298-5056 or contact us online today to get started with a free consultation.

Common Types of Car Accidents

To help you get the amount of compensation your injuries deserve, your attorney must be able to prove what caused the accident and who is to blame. At The Hope Law Firm, we’ve managed cases with a variety of collision scenarios, including:

• Head-on — By far the most dangerous traffic collisions involve cars traveling in opposite directions at high speeds when one of the cars crosses into the oncoming lane. In head-on collisions the forces of two moving objects are added together, producing catastrophic results. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the fault lies with the driver who crossed the divider.
• Rear end — These collisions are not as deadly because the force of the oncoming car is absorbed as the rear end of the stationary car crumples. Even more, force is dispelled if the struck car is moving. But complications occur when the struck car is forced forward into other vehicles in a chain reaction. The driver of the struck car may also lose control, veering into another lane. Rear-end collisions are usually a sign that the oncoming car was following too closely or not paying attention.
• Side-swipe — A violent brush in either the opposite or same direction can cause a struck car to over-correct, so it flies off the road or into other lanes of traffic. The fault lies with the driver who wandered into the adjacent lane.
• T-bone — A common accident at intersections, a T-bone occurs when the front of one vehicle hits the broad side of another. At high speeds, T-bone crashes can be deadly for either driver. The cause is usually a driver’s failure to observe a stop sign or red light.
• Angular — Another common type of intersection crash occurs when a turning car and a car driving straight through hit at less than a 90-degree angle. Here, too, the fault is usually on the part of a driver who ran a stop sign or red light.
• Single-vehicle accident — This involves only one vehicle and can occur due to various reasons such as losing control, hitting a stationary object like a tree or pole, or rolling over.
• Multi-vehicle pileup — Also known as a chain reaction accident, this involves multiple vehicles colliding with each other in a sequence. It often occurs on highways and freeways due to factors like poor visibility, speeding, or sudden changes in traffic flow.
• Rollover — This occurs when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. It can happen due to sharp turns at high speeds, hitting a curb or obstacle, or being struck forcefully from the side.
• Hit-and-run accidents — These occur when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to provide assistance or exchange information. Hit-and-run accidents can involve other vehicles, pedestrians, or stationary objects.
• Parking lot accidents — These occur in parking lots or garages and involve vehicles colliding with each other, stationary objects, or pedestrians. They can happen due to drivers speeding, backing out without checking mirrors, or failing to obey traffic signs.
• Pedestrian accidents — These occur when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian. It can happen at intersections, crosswalks, or parking lots when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians or are distracted.

Our familiarity with a variety of collision types and patterns of liability allows us to investigate your accident efficiently to build a compelling case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, ranging from human error to environmental conditions. Here are some common causes:

• Distracted driving — One of the leading causes of car accidents, distracted driving includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or interacting with passengers while driving. When drivers divert their attention from the road, they are more likely to miss important cues and react slowly to potential hazards.
• Speeding — Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions increases the likelihood of accidents. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to react to unexpected situations, extends stopping distances, and makes collisions more severe.
• Drunk driving — Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Drunk driving is a major contributor to car accidents, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
• Reckless driving — This includes aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and disregarding traffic signs or signals. Reckless driving increases the risk of collisions and endangers other road users.
• Weather conditions — Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, fog, or strong winds can reduce visibility and traction, making roads slippery and hazardous. Drivers may struggle to maintain control of their vehicles and adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
• Fatigue — Driving while tired or drowsy can impair concentration, reaction times, and decision-making abilities, similar to driving under the influence. Fatigue-related accidents often occur during late-night or early-morning hours, particularly among long-distance drivers.
• Poor road conditions — Crumbling infrastructure, potholes, uneven surfaces, and inadequate signage contribute to accidents. These conditions can catch drivers off guard, causing them to lose control of their vehicles or collide with other vehicles or objects.
• Failure to obey traffic laws — Ignoring traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, and speed limits increases the risk of accidents. Drivers who disregard traffic laws not only endanger themselves but also put other road users at risk.
• Vehicle defects or malfunctions — Mechanical failures such as brake failures, tire blowouts, steering problems, or electrical issues can lead to loss of control and accidents. Poor vehicle maintenance and defects in design or manufacturing may contribute to these malfunctions.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Your attorney must be able to speak the language of the medical profession and translate it comprehensibly for a judge and jury. Our attorneys have successfully managed cases of severe injury and can represent your case for:

The Hope Law Firm works diligently with your doctors to assemble the evidence necessary to convey fully the extent of your injuries in building a solid case for relief.

Document the Details of the Crash

We can help you get the compensation that you deserve by filing an accident lawsuit. Any information you can provide will help our lawyers guide you through the legal process and see to it that you are treated fairly.

You can provide information by:

• Writing down what you know about the accident — don’t rely on your memory alone
• Documenting the damage — take photos of the accident site and of the damage to your car and keep receipts for repairs and car rental
• Filling out an accident report form — do not admit to blame, just stick to the facts

Securing Compensation for Your Accident Injury

Not all car accidents result in injury. However, if you do suffer an injury – no matter how small or severe it may be – document it. Your insurance company adjuster may not seem to be working hard enough on your behalf or the other party’s insurance company adjuster may not properly evaluate any injuries. You need to have as much as possible to back up your claims.

There cannot be enough said about the value of documented details such as:

• Photos of your injuries
• Medical reports and doctors’ bills
• Receipts for ambulance rides
• Receipts for medications and medical appliances

You should also write down examples of how your quality of life has been affected.

For example, document any:

• Problems sleeping
• Loss of independence
• Depression
• Strain on family life

Any information you can provide will help our Des Moines car accident lawyers guide you through a lawsuit and help you to be treated fairly.

Frequently Asked Car Accident Questions

Contact our Car Accident Attorneys in Des Moines

When it comes to managing your personal injury legal claim, there’s no substitute for experience. At The Hope Law Firm, PLC, our attorneys have distinguished themselves over decades of service to injured plaintiffs.

At Hope Law Firm, we have the experience to get you through your difficult situation. Please contact us at (515) 298-5056 for a free consultation.