Photo of attorneys E. Kelly Conway, Michael E. Gehring and Stephen G. Harvey

Standing Up And Seeking Justice For The Underdog

Photo of attorneys E. Kelly Conway, Michael E. Gehring and Stephen G. Harvey

Carter Law Offices, P.C.

Standing Up And Seeking Justice For The Underdog

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Central Iowa Attorneys Standing Up For Injured People After A Crash

When you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another person, you should talk with an attorney about your options. Unfortunately, you can’t rely on insurance companies to put your best interests first. The offer you receive – if you receive one at all – may not fully address your loss.

Meanwhile, you and your family may be struggling under mounting medical debt, the pressure of lost wages or the emotional chaos of having lost a loved one in a car wreck. At times like this, you want to make sure the attorney you work with will be on your side every step of the way.

At Carter Law Offices, P.C., in Des Moines, Iowa, we are passionate about serving the needs of our clients. We put experience, resources and dedication behind every case we take.

Make Sure You Are Treated Fairly

Instead of giving an injured person a fair settlement, many insurance companies choose to their bottom lines over their obligations to pay fair compensation. These insurance providers do not expect people to choose to fight.

At Carter Law Offices, P.C., many of our clients work hard to be treated fairly by insurance companies and are too often mistreated or flat-out denied compensation. Our trial-tested attorneys bring decades of combined experience to their fight for full compensation. Whether negotiating with powerful insurance companies or taking cases to trial, we are dedicated to helping our clients even the odds.

Taking On Complex Collision Claims

You have rights. You have options. You can put an experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyer on your side. Our lawyers take on a wide range of motor vehicle cases, including:

  • Car accidents, including rear-end accidents and rollover accidents
  • Accidents involving motorcycles
  • Truck accidents
  • Accidents caused by drunk drivers

An automobile crash can leave a person and an entire family in turmoil. Along with a serious accident’s physical and emotional toll, there are significant and often lasting expenses. In the most serious of cases, there can be long-term care needs, major hospital bills and even final expenses for a loved one involved in a fatal crash.

We stand behind you and your family in and out of the courtroom. You shouldn’t have to settle for less.

Who Pays For My Medical Care After An Accident?

A personal injury claim can take many months. Meanwhile, the medical bills start piling up quickly. If you have health insurance, it will cover your hospital bills and medical treatment in the aftermath of an accident (up to a limit). A personal injury settlement typically includes damages for past and future medical expenses. However, your health insurance provider may later try to recoup their losses through subrogation (a lien against your injury settlement).

It’s also possible that your own auto insurance policy will pay your initial medical bills, but only if you purchased additional insurance such as Med-Pay or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Med-Pay and PIP coverage are optional in Iowa.

What Does It Mean That Iowa Is An “At-Fault” State?

In a no-fault state (such as Minnesota), a person’s injuries and property damage are covered by their own auto insurance policy, no matter who caused the accident. In an at-fault state (such as Iowa), you must establish that the other driver caused or contributed to the accident to bring a claim for compensation against their insurance policy. That makes it all the more important to have a skilled car accident lawyer who can prove liability if the claim is contested.

What Does It Mean That Iowa Is A “Comparative Fault” State?

Comparative fault allows you to be compensated even if you were partly to blame for an accident. Iowa has modified comparative fault, meaning that you can bring a claim as long you are not more at fault than the other driver. Your compensation is proportional to your degree of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 20%.

What If The Other Driver Is Underinsured?

Iowa law requires every driver to carry liability insurance in the event they cause an injury or property damage accident. The minimum insurance coverage in Iowa is 20/40/15 – $20,000 per person for bodily injuries, up to a maximum of $40,000 for all persons injured in one accident, plus $15,000 in property damage.

Many drivers carry only the mandatory minimum coverage, which may not fully cover a bad crash with severe injuries or multiple victims. If your losses exceed the other driver’s policy limits – or if the other party was driving illegally without any insurance – you may be able to bring an uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist claim to cover the difference. This only applies if you purchased UM / UIM coverage on your own auto policy.

What Kind Of Documentation Is Helpful After A Car Accident?

You should get the other driver’s information, including name and driver’s license number, license plate, make and model, insurance information and contact information. You should follow up to get a copy of the police report. Your injury claim will be stronger if you can also obtain the following:

  • Photos of both cars, including detailed photos of damage to your car
  • Contact information of any witnesses
  • Photos of the accident scene and your observations (weather, time of day, traffic, etc.)
  • Photos of any visible injuries (cuts, abrasions, bruises)
  • Medical documentation: Be sure to tell the doctor you were in a vehicle accident and to follow up with all prescribed treatments and appointments.

You Can Afford Reliable Representation

With a free initial consultation and contingency fees for personal injury claims, you owe us nothing unless we recover for you. Rely on our legal professionals for effective, experienced and personalized legal solutions. Contact us at 515-644-4871 or 402-979-8675 to schedule an appointment.