Iowa Car Accidents Lawsuits | Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyers

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Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents

Q: I have been in a motor vehicle accident. Should I go to a doctor?

A: If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should see a doctor right away. Firstly, you should see a doctor for your own well-being. You may not be able to discern the extent of your injuries yourself; a small ache could be something significant, or it could be nothing at all. Only a doctor can tell you for sure. Secondly, you should see a doctor because if you decide to bring a legal claim against the at-fault driver or another party, you will need documentation of your injuries and what you did to fix them.

Q: Do I have to go to court if I want to recover monetary damages?

A: Maybe. Your case may settle even before your attorney files a lawsuit; on the other hand, it may go all the way to a trial and a jury verdict. The majority of lawsuits are settled before they get to trial, but what happens in your case depends on the facts, the law and the parties involved.

13,000 people have been injured or killed since 1990 in crashes caused by aggressive driving. If you have been a victim of aggressive driving, tell us about your case.

Car Accidents Galligan & Reid, P.C. Truck Accidents

Fighting for a Safer Iowa

If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a family member in a car, truck, bus, or train accident in Iowa, you are encouraged to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in a timely manner. The law offices of Galligan & Reid, P.C., offers potential clients the benefit of more than a quarter of a century of experience, including appeals and Supreme Court representation.

Whether your car accident occurred as a result of dangerous roadway conditions, an improperly managed railroad crossing, drunk driving, weather conditions, or human error, you need and deserve compensation. Galligan & Reid, P.C., encourages drivers to observe common-sense traffic safety precautions. If you are already a traffic accident victim, however, you owe it to yourself and your family to learn about your legal options from a knowledgeable attorney.

The information below on motor vehicle accidents is provided as a courtesy. It is not intended to address your particular car, truck, or motorcycle accident. To discuss the facts of your case, contact the motor vehicle accident lawyers of Galligan & Reid, P.C.

Motor Vehicle Accidents - An Overview

Motor vehicle accidents cause the loss of time, property, health and even life. Such accidents occur because of elements including driver error, negligence, manufacturing defects and dangerous weather. No matter what the specific cause or result, a crash can turn a normal day into a prolonged struggle. Speaking with a lawyer can help you sort out your rights, your options and your future. Contact an attorney to find out more.

When you have been in an auto accident, you may have a sense of who caused it. Issues of fault, however, can be complicated by who acted when and which laws governed the situation. If the other driver was negligent, you may have to prove that the driver breached a duty of care to you and that the breach caused your damages. The assistance of an attorney can be immensely valuable at this time, whether you are battling an insurance company, seeking compensation for your injuries or defending yourself in court.

Auto Accident Injuries and Compensation

An individual who has been injured in an automobile accident may be able to seek monetary compensation for injuries and damages. Cases are fact specific, typically with complex issues of proof and fault in dispute. Working with an experienced attorney will help you sort out your legal options.

Insurance Claim Dos and Don'ts

When you need to make an auto insurance claim, you should proceed with care. Your actions may have a significant influence on the amount of compensation you receive. Contact an attorney to learn more.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him- or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages. Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important to contact an attorney to create a plan of action.

No-Fault Insurance

When a driver has been in an accident, no-fault auto insurance allows the driver to collect from his or her insurance company no matter who was at fault. Not every state has a no-fault insurance structure, but those that do have very specific laws governing when, how much and for how long the injured party may collect. Consult with an attorney to discuss how your state views fault and to determine how the laws may affect your right to recover damages for injuries.

What to Do If You Are in an Accident

When you are in an accident, you have immediate, important decisions to make. For the crucial decisions you have to make later on, consult with an attorney.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Resource Links

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA is a government agency dedicated to making American roads safer for travelers.

National Safety Council
The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization, provides links and articles on topics like seat belt use, safe driving for teenagers and reducing motor vehicle crashes.

US Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Department of Transportation is a federal agency focusing on policy and lawmaking to ensure safer US travel.

MedlinePlus: Motor Vehicle Safety
This Web site, from the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, offers information on preventing motor vehicle crashes, stating that about every 12 minutes, someone in America dies from a motor vehicle accident.

The law firm of Galligan, Doyle, Reid & Galligan, P.C., with offices in Des Moines, represents injured people and surviving family members of fatal accident victims throughout the state of Iowa, including Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Ames, Sioux City, Waterloo, Davenport, Burlington, Keokuk, Iowa City, and Council Bluffs.