Seeking Compensation For Motor Vehicle Accident Victims
Every day, Iowa drivers take on the risk of being injured or killed by a negligent, reckless driver. In 2023 alone, 377 Iowans were killed, and at least 1,389 Iowans suffered serious injuries in crashes on Iowa roads. There were 18 fatalities and 91 severely injured people in Des Moines alone.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed because of motor vehicle negligence, the car accident lawyer at Hixson & Brown, P.C., Russ Hixson, is here to help you stand up for your civil rights and get the justice and compensation you are entitled to under Iowa law.
Most people do not understand the extent of their legal rights and relying on an insurance company to be fair and do what is right is not the right decision to make. It is important to get legal representation to guide you through the process. Our firm is a Des Moines-based practice that is dedicated to helping accident victims and families get the compensation they deserve and need to recover and move forward with life.
To help you understand what to do after a car accident in Iowa, we’ve assembled this comprehensive guide to the legal issues related to motor vehicle accident personal injury claims.
Types Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Our attorney routinely helps clients recover damages related to incidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, buses, bicycles and pedestrians. In each case, we research the circumstances that led to your collision and advocate for maximum compensation to enable your recovery.
Car Accidents
Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for both adults and children in the United States. Our approach to handling car accident personal injury cases includes a thorough investigation of the accident scene, meticulous review of police reports and collaboration with medical professionals to ensure that our clients’ injuries are properly documented and treated.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crash victims frequently suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), serious abrasions (road rash) and more. Our motorcycle accident attorney advocates vigorously for our clients, ensuring that factors such as helmet use, road conditions and motorist negligence are accurately represented to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle riders have rights on the road just like automobile drivers. Bicyclists have little protection when involved in traffic accidents, which can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Attorney Russ Hixson advocates for bicyclists who have been injured due to drivers’ negligence, road hazards or faulty cycling products.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable in traffic environments, and accidents can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Whether you were hit by a vehicle while jogging or crossing the street in a crosswalk, our pedestrian accident lawyer will fight for full and fair compensation for your injuries. Our process includes detailed accident reconstruction and aggressive negotiation with insurance companies to ensure fair settlements.
Common Causes Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Each motor vehicle accident is unique, but the causes of accidents can typically be broken down into a few of the most common factors. Our car wreck injury lawyers frequently help survivors of rollover accidents, head-on collisions, right-of-way violations, accidents aggravated by excessive speed an reckless driving, as well as the following:
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving remains one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of motor vehicle accidents. Our attorney takes a strong stance against drunk drivers by pursuing maximum punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages for our clients. We work closely with law enforcement and expert witnesses to establish the driver’s negligence and liability.
Texting While Driving Accidents
Texting while driving is a leading cause of distracted driving accidents. At Hixson & Brown, P.C., attorney Russ Hixson emphasizes the recklessness of texting behind the wheel in his legal strategies. By presenting compelling evidence such as phone records and eyewitness testimonies, he holds distracted drivers fully accountable for the harm they cause.
Hit-And-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents present unique challenges in personal injury cases, particularly when the perpetrator is not immediately identified. Our hit-and-run accident lawyer works with local authorities to trace responsible parties. He also guides our clients through the process of making claims through uninsured motorist coverage as needed.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions, while common, can result in significant injuries such as whiplash, spinal damage and even traumatic brain injuries. Russ, our rear-end collision attorney, is adept at proving fault in rear-end accidents, often involving complex negotiations with multiple parties’ insurance companies to ensure our clients receive appropriate compensation.
Consequences Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents inflict two types of damage. First, and most obviously, are the life-altering injuries that can cause excruciating pain and physical disability, which is sometimes permanent. But the second, less obvious, way in which injury accidents caused by negligence inflict losses is through their financial and emotional impact.
Many clients tell us they are never the same after a serious personal injury. Our attorney is committed to delivering compensation that covers all types of losses so you can move forward with your life with the resources you need.
Injuries And Fatalities
Motor vehicle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries – from minor bruises and lacerations to severe conditions such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and even fatalities.
At Hixson & Brown, P.C., common major injuries that our personal injury lawyer sees among our clients include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Whiplash
- Head injury and concussion
- Crushed, mangled and amputated limbs, feet and hands
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Severe burns
- Paralysis
During the investigation phase of our case, we review your medical records and take the time to fully understand your injuries. Our goal is to present a true account of how this accident has changed your ability to engage in your profession, your favorite recreational activities and your daily living activities.
Financial And Emotional Impact
Recovery from a high-impact collision is hard enough, but the physical injuries create a ripple effect that can upend you and your family’s life. Victims of motor vehicle accidents suffer financially, too, in the form of medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and reduced earning capacity. Some of our clients are forced to change professions after their accident, and some will no longer be able to work at all.
Additionally, the emotional aftermath of a collision – which can include struggles with PTSD, depression and anxiety – can be profound and enduring. Our attorney aims to secure comprehensive compensation that addresses both the economic and noneconomic damages our clients suffer.
Legal Process For Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
Our car accident lawyer can make sure you fully understand your rights and options during the insurance claims process. If it is in your best interest to settle the matter outside of court, we will negotiate for a fair settlement amount that truly covers your current and future needs.
Never sign a settlement agreement from the insurance company before discussing your case with an experienced Des Moines attorney. Although it may appear that the insurance company is offering you a significant amount of money, it is often not the full amount you deserve.
Filing A Claim
Navigating the legal process following a motor vehicle accident can be daunting. Our team guides clients through every step, starting with filing a claim. Our car accident attorney ensures that all documentation is accurately and promptly submitted, and he communicates with insurance companies on behalf of our clients to streamline the process and allow them to focus on recovery.
Proving Liability
Establishing liability is critical in motor vehicle accident claims. Our attorney gathers evidence, consults with accident reconstruction experts and leverages witness testimonies to build a compelling case. He meticulously demonstrates how the other party’s negligence caused the accident, thereby solidifying our client’s position for negotiation or litigation.
Compensation And Settlements
At Hixson & Brown, P.C., our car accident attorney excels at calculating the full extent of damages and negotiating settlements that reflect the true value of our clients’ claims. He considers current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other factors to ensure that settlements are fair and just. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, attorney Russ, a skilled litigator, is prepared to advocate fiercely for clients in court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are basic answers to some of our clients’ most frequently asked questions:
What should I do after a car accident?
First, get out of traffic if possible. Determine if you or anyone else in your car has been seriously injured. Call 911 and wait for the police and EMTs to arrive. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, then use your cellphone or a camera to take photos of the accident scene. Ask any third-party witnesses for their contact information, too.
Even if you feel fine, see your doctor for an examination as soon as possible. Many auto accident injuries do not start showing symptoms for hours or days.
What kinds of compensation can I claim for my injuries in Des Moines?
Iowa law places personal injury damages into two categories: economic damages and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include things like your medical bills, the wages you have lost while recovering and the wages you expect to lose in the future due to your injuries. They involve things with a direct, easily calculated price.
Noneconomic damages are less concrete but can be just as important. They include the pain and suffering you have experienced, your reduced enjoyment of life, and your reduced ability to provide support and companionship to your loved ones. Finally, in extreme cases, a jury might award punitive damages to punish the defendant.
How do you prove negligence caused your injuries?
Establishing a personal injury claim in Iowa starts with showing that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In this context, this usually refers to the duty every driver has to take reasonable steps to avoid causing an accident, such as by watching the road, obeying the speed limit and not driving drunk.
Next, you must prove that the defendant violated that duty in some way. Finally, you must be able, using the evidence, to connect that negligent behavior to your injuries. We have prepared countless cases proving negligence and can do the same for you.
Why Choose Hixson & Brown, P.C.?
You have a choice of several Des Moines personal injury attorneys to aid your motor vehicle accident claim. Our firm seeks to deliver results and client care that will make our firm rank first on your list.
Our car accident attorney, Russ Hixson, has more than 35 years of experience providing medical malpractice and personal injury plaintiff representation in Iowa. He’s able to try cases in state, federal and appellate courts. His accolades include being named a Top 10 Attorney by the American Jurist Institute and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from America’s Top 100 Attorneys.
Russ is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, acknowledging his ability to recover substantial settlements for his clients. He also shares his wisdom with his legal peers, having presented on personal injury topics at the Iowa Association for Justice annual convention.
Our Experience And Track Record
With decades of experience in personal injury law, our attorney has established a reputation for excellence in handling motor vehicle accident cases. Russ Hixson’s track record includes numerous significant settlements and verdicts, reflecting his deep understanding of personal injury law and our firm’s commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Compassionate Legal Support
We believe that legal representation should be compassionate and personalized. Our attorney takes the time to understand each client’s unique situation and tailor his approach accordingly. At our firm, we are not just advocates; we are partners in our clients’ journeys toward recovery and justice.
Client Testimonials
You do not have to take our word for it that our attorney’s experience and compassionate approach set our firm apart. Here is a sampling of satisfied client reviews we have received over the years:
“Russ Hixson was absolutely amazing to work with! He is extremely smart, dedicated to his work and unbelievably caring.”
“They … were focused on my case but they were also focused on me and my family, offering support in all areas of my life affected by my accident.”
“We weren’t treated like just another client. They really cared about me and my family.”
“Russ was very knowledgeable and thorough in his analysis of my case and kept me informed every step of the way.”
Free Initial Consultation With Our West Des Moines Car Accident Attorney
To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your motor vehicle accident and your rights, call our West Des Moines office at 515-644-6133. You can also reach us via our online contact form. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, and we do not charge a fee until we are successful in bringing you your rightful compensation.