While commercial freight trucks provide an important service to Iowans and people across the country, they can cause devastating accidents that result in serious injuries and considerable financial losses. Freight accidents in Iowa injure and kill many people each year.
If you sustained injuries or lost a loved one in a commercial trucking accident someone else caused, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. However, the process is complex and requires the skills and knowledge of an experienced freight accident attorney to successfully navigate.
At Berry Law, our attorneys are the perfect choice for your truck accident case. An Iowa freight truck accident lawyer from our firm can build a strong claim on your behalf and fight for the financial remedies you’re owed. Don’t wait to get in touch with our team and take the first step toward your compensation.
How a Freight Truck Accident Lawyer from Iowa Can Help You
Recovering from a truck collision can be extremely difficult, especially if you’re dealing with pain, severe injuries, and financial stress. Luckily, our truck accident team can handle every aspect of your case and keep you updated on their progress while you recover from your injuries.
Here’s what our attorneys can do to get the outcome you need to pay accident-related bills and manage the other impacts of the collision:
- Investigate the crash
- Determine if the driver, their employer, or another party should be held liable
- Calculate how much your claim is worth
- Construct a strong personal injury claim
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters to obtain a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
- Meet all of Iowa’s filing requirements for personal injury suits
Once your Iowa freight truck accident attorney has completed the steps listed above, they will work to help you receive an insurance payment or court verdict that covers your losses and gives you the financial support you need to make a full and speedy recovery.
What Causes Freight Accidents in Iowa?
Various factors can cause freight truck accidents in Iowa, and more often than not, the truck driver’s negligence or carelessness contributes to the accident. Some common causes of freight accidents in Iowa include:
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Truck driver fatigue
- Driver impairment
- Failing to yield
- Running stop signs and traffic lights
Along with truck driver error or wrongdoing, other factors can cause freight accidents as well, including:
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Lack of truck maintenance and failure to inspect the truck
- Hauling too much freight
- Violations of federal and state trucking regulations
- Defective truck components and parts
Who Can I Hold Liable for the Injuries I Sustained in an Iowa Freight Accident?
In many cases, you could hold several parties accountable for a freight accident in Iowa. These include the truck driver, the trucking company or owner of the truck, the maintenance company responsible for inspecting and repairing the truck, and even the parties responsible for loading and securing cargo. In some cases, a truck may have defective components that fail and cause an accident. In that case, you may also pursue compensation from the product manufacturer or truck manufacturer.
Berry Law’s Team Provides You With Multiple Attorney Perspectives
Iowa Truck Accident Statistics
According to NSC Injury Facts, Iowa reported that 16% of fatal accidents in the state involved large trucks in a recent year. This is one of the highest percentages of truck-involved fatal accidents of any state in the U.S. That year, Iowa reported 76 fatal crashes involving large commercial vehicles.
What to Do After a Freight Truck Accident
If you’ve been involved in a collision with a freight truck, there are several things you’ll want to do immediately after the crash. First, you should take a moment to assess your injuries and determine if you need immediate medical attention. If you need medical care right away, you should seek treatment from a nearby hospital or call an ambulance.
In addition, you should take the following actions:
Call the Police
If your truck collision involves injury or death, Iowa Code Title VIII. Transportation § 321.266 requires that you report the incident to local law enforcement. That said, getting the police involved can also help your case.
That’s because the police are required to file an accident report that includes details about the incident, which your attorney can use to build your claim. When law enforcement arrives at the scene, give them a brief description of what happened but don’t admit fault. Any admission of fault could stop you from getting the damages you’re entitled to receive.
Get the Driver’s Insurance Information
Once you’ve spoken to the police, you’ll want to obtain the freight truck driver’s information. Make sure to take down their name, insurance information, and the name of the trucking company they work for. Our Iowa freight truck accident lawyers can use the information you collect to file an insurance claim with the correct party.
Take Photos of the Crash Scene
While insurance details and accident reports are important for your claim, visual evidence can make a huge difference in the success of your case. To give your attorney the ammunition they need to fight for your financial recovery, make sure to take photos of the following:
- The overall scene of the collision
- Damage to all vehicles involved in the incident
- Signposts, guardrails, and other objects that were damaged in the crash
- Any visible injuries you sustained
Speak to Witnesses
Witness testimony can play a key role in your truck accident case. So make sure you speak to anyone who saw the accident and pulled over to check on you. You’ll want to ask them if they’d be willing to provide an account of what they saw.
If they agree to help, take down their contact information and pass it on to our freight truck accident attorneys in Iowa. Our team can also work with accident reconstructionists to analyze the photos and strengthen your claim.
Hire an Attorney As Soon as You Can
Once you’ve done everything you should do after an accident, you won’t want to wait too long to hire a freight truck accident attorney from our team in Iowa. That’s because all auto accident plaintiffs in the state have to abide by the statute of limitations.
According to the statute, which is outlined in Iowa Code § 614.1, you have two years from the date of the truck crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this general statute that may alter the deadline. If you fail to get your suit submitted within Iowa’s strict filing timeframe, you’ll be prohibited from collecting the compensation you deserve.
Compensation You Could Receive from a Successful Claim or Lawsuit
At Berry Law, we understand how expensive medical bills and vehicle repair costs can be. That’s why our team will strive to obtain maximum compensation for all the losses and accident-related expenses you’ve taken on. If we win your case, you’ll likely receive several or more of the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Cost of ambulance transportation and hospital treatment
- Cost of prescription medication, assistive devices, and rehabilitative therapy
- Vehicle repair costs
- Wages you’re unable to earn during your physical recovery
- Decreased earning ability due to long-term impairments
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Meet With One of Our Iowa Freight Truck Accident Attorneys for Free
Recuperating from the physical and financial devastation caused by a truck accident can feel like a long uphill battle. The good news is that the team at Berry Law is here to make your recovery process much easier and more comfortable. We’ll fight for the financial support you need to pay your medical bills and get back to your normal life.
To find out if you have grounds for a claim, contact an Iowa freight truck accident lawyer from our firm today. They’ll meet with you to discuss your accident, answer any questions you have about the claims process, and determine what your best course of action is.
