Car Accident Attorneys in Des Moines, IA

Rear-end collisions on the interstate loop around Des Moines pile up during winter commutes and summer construction. If you were hurt, an Iowa-licensed car accident attorney who works Polk County cases will review your claim for free.

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How we match your Des Moines car accident case

When you submit a Des Moines car accident matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A car accident matter needs someone who handles car accident work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Iowa law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Iowa who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Car Accident cases in Des Moines

More about legal help in Des Moines →

Commuters streaming in from West Des Moines and Ankeny, freight moving through the I-35 and I-80 interchange, and winter ice on downtown bridges make crashes a daily reality in Des Moines. Iowa bars recovery if you are more than half at fault and gives you two years to file, so early evidence about fault is crucial. Disputed claims are heard in Polk County courts. DearLegal matches you with an Iowa-licensed attorney who handles car accident cases in Des Moines, with a free case review.

Crashes on I-35, I-80, and I-235 through Des Moines are handled in Polk County courts.
Many Des Moines drivers are insured by carriers headquartered in the metro, which shapes claim handling.
Iowa’s two-year deadline and more-than-half fault rule govern local crash claims.

Iowa car accident rules at a glance

Des Moines cases run under Iowa law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Iowa page.

Read the full Iowa car accident guide →

Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years from the date of the crash (Iowa Code § 614.1(2))
Fault Rule: 51%
Modified comparative fault, 51% bar (Iowa Code § 668.3)
Damages Cap: No cap
No statutory cap on non-economic damages in standard auto cases
Minimum Liability Insurance: 20/40/15
$20,000 / $40,000 / $15,000 (Iowa Code § 321A.1)
Insurance System: At-fault
Tort (at-fault). No no-fault PIP requirement.
Typical attorney fee: 33%
33%–40% contingency — no fee unless you win

Exhibit D

How much do Des Moines car accident attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Iowa · Car Accident

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 33%− $33,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$67,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Iowa car accident attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Car accident attorneys in Iowa work on a contingency fee basis — typically 33% to 40% of the total recovery. Case costs are typically advanced by the firm and deducted from the final recovery.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Des Moines car accident questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Iowa attorney will review it for free.

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A crash that happens in Des Moines is normally filed in Polk County courts, even if the other driver lives elsewhere. Most claims settle with insurers before a lawsuit, but having an attorney who regularly appears in Polk County helps when an insurer refuses to pay fairly.

Yes, as long as you are not found more than half at fault. Iowa reduces your recovery by your share of blame, so a finding that you were 30 percent responsible cuts your compensation by 30 percent. An attorney works to keep that percentage accurate and fair.

Iowa generally gives you two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit. Insurance claims should begin much sooner, and evidence like dash-cam footage and witness memories fade fast. A Des Moines attorney will confirm your deadline and keep the claim moving so you do not lose rights.

Two years from the date of the crash for personal injury under Iowa Code § 614.1(2) and 5 years for property damage. Claims against the State of Iowa fall under the Iowa Tort Claims Act (Iowa Code Chapter 669); claims against municipalities under Iowa Code Chapter 670.

You pursue the at-fault driver and their liability insurer directly. Iowa does not require no-fault PIP. If you contributed to the crash, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you’re more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing under Iowa Code § 668.3.