Car Accident Attorney

Car Accident Attorney in Des Moines, IA

Recently, Iowa saw a sharp increase in the number of car crashes on its roads. Last year, more than 300 people lost their lives in Iowa car crashes. According to the Iowa State Patrol, many car crashes are caused by distracted drivers. Yet, even a small error—forgetting to turn on your indicator—can lead to a serious car crash. Have you been injured in a car accident in or around Des Moines, IA? Rouse Law P.C. understands how an auto collision can change your life in a split second. If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s careless or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under Iowa law.

Rouse Law P.C. is a small law firm in Des Moines that focuses on cases involving personal injury law and criminal defense law. Its principal, Attorney Ward A. (Sam) Rouse has nearly a quarter of a century of experience handling personal injury claims like car accidents. He understands how devastating these situations can be for accident victims and their families. Not only do injuries cause immense physical and emotional pain; they can also have a detrimental impact on finances. If you’ve been hurt by the actions or negligence of another driver on Iowa roads, you can count on Mr. Rouse to fight for your right to fair compensation.

Attorney Rouse: Des Moines Car Accident Attorney

While many legal firms in Des Moines handle personal injury cases, Attorney Rouse has more than two decades practicing law that includes car accident claims. His experience at the negotiation table and in the courtroom gives him an edge that can benefit his clients. Mr. Rouse boasts a comprehensive knowledge of Iowa’s statutes regarding personal injury law and he has won millions for clients in the form of settlements and compensation awards. Bring your claim to discuss with him for a free initial consultation. There’s no obligation to pursue your claim, but you may choose to based on what you hear. Mr. Rouse will take a detailed look at your claim and provide you with his honest legal counsel.

No Fees Unless We Win

Many clients are understandably concerned about the cost of hiring a professional attorney. Rouse Law knows that many clients are already in financial straights owing to the accident they’ve just endured. Skyrocketing medical bills and lost work wages compound what accident victims go through after they’ve been seriously injured. Our firm doesn’t want to make life more difficult for clients. That’s why we’ve chosen not to charge our legal fees unless we’re able to achieve an agreeable settlement for the client or win a compensation award at court. We thrive on helping people and though we practice law to make a living, we believe that staking our fees on our ability to win is the right thing to do. Unless we win your case, you won’t receive a bill.

Iowa Car Accidents

Darting deer, roadway impediments, inclement weather—sometimes accidents happen and there’s no fault to assign. Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by driver error. Rouse Law has seen many accidents claims that include:

Distracted driving (eating or texting while driving)
Speeding
Tailgating
Improper lane change
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving drowsy or fatigued
Aggressive driving
Improper turns
Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
Failing to yield
Wrong-way driving
Failing to obey other rules of the road

While these actions occur in conjunction with many accidents—every accident is different. Mr. Rouse will carefully examine your case to note its challenges and merits. He can provide sound legal advice to clients, helping them to decide how to proceed with their claim. He is ready to put his decades of experience to work for you either at the negotiation table or in the courtroom.

What Type of Monetary Compensation Am I Entitled to in Iowa?

What you ask for in compensation is based on the particulars of your case. What does this mean? In terms of economic damages, car accident victims may claim damages that include:

Emergency room visit
Hospital stays
Doctor / surgeon fees
Rehabilitation center costs
Physical therapy
Tests, x-rays, scans, etc…
Surgeries
Nursing services
Medical equipment or devices (i.e. crutches, wheelchair)
Lost work wages
Lost pension
Future work wages (if unable to return to work for a period of time)
Future likely medical expenses

With his experience as a Des Moines car accident attorney, Mr. Rouse can help you calculate a sum that reflects the damages you’ve endured and are likely to experience yet. In complex situations where serious injuries occur or the victim is left permanently disabled, we may consult with an actuary and medical experts to arrive at a fair sum for future medical costs and lost earnings.

Additionally, car accident victims in Iowa have the right to seek monetary compensation for their pain and suffering. It’s important to calculate what fair compensation should look like before heading into negotiations with the at-fault party. Insurance companies will try to reduce the amount and undermine the claimant’s rights to fair compensation, but Mr. Rouse will aggressively pursue justice for his clients.

What Should I Do If I Get into a Car Accident in Iowa?

If you are hurt in a car accident on Iowa’s roadways, it’s essential, even if you think your injuries are inconsequential, to get a professional medical evaluation. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room or urgent care center. In many cases, police or other roadway drivers may call an ambulance to the scene of the accident. However, even if you feel ok, keep in mind that many injuries (concussion, fracture, or internal bleeding) may not show symptoms for days. By going to the hospital, you can get the medical evaluation you need to safeguard your health.

Moreover, your medical record that reflect your injuries and their treatments will become evidence if you ever pursue your claim for monetary compensation. If you don’t go to the doctor for an evaluation for days, an insurance adjuster is going to suggest that your injuries must have been minor or that you injured yourself in some other manor. It’s best to visit your healthcare provider right away to ensure that the record is clear.

Next, it’s important to obtain a police report. Call the police from the scene of the accident or ask a witness to contact them. A police officer can document the accident and even include witness accounts. These reports can reflect blame and even record if any citations were issued. Again, this type of document can play a vital role as evidence in support of your claim.

Don’t Speak with Insurers

It’s not uncommon for insurance representatives to contact accident victims in the earliest days of their recovery. It can be difficult to know what to say to them or how to respond to their questions. The truth is, it’s better not to talk to them at all. Instead, refer them to your personal injury attorney: Mr. Rouse. Insurance companies may sound concerned, but they want to pay out as little as possible even if the driver they insure is completely at fault. They may try to offer a settlement, hoping that a victim accepts it before they realize the extent of medical care they may need.

Rely on Attorney Rouse to provide you with sound legal advice. He will talk to the insurance company on your behalf. He can examine any settlement offers you receive and represent your interests during negotiations. Never sign anything from an insurer without allowing your attorney to carefully examine it or you could inadvertently damage your claim—or render yourself ineligible for compensation.

Other Services You Can Count On

The sooner you contact Rouse Law after your accident the better. As soon as we hear from you, we can begin to gather evidence in support of your claim. We’ll go over the accident report. Did you know that these reports could contain errors that could harm your claim if left uncorrected? We may contact witnesses to get their accounts before they forget essential details or disappear. Other services that we offer to clients include:

Thorough claim evaluation
File court documents
Manage all case-related paperwork and correspondence
Arrive punctually at hearings and other appointments
Procure the services of an accident reconstructionist
Consult with medical experts or actuaries
Obtain photos of damaged vehicles or accident scene
Communicate with at-fault party and their attorneys
Aggressively litigate or negotiate on your behalf

Rouse Law is a small personal injury firm that has a record for getting big results. We believe this is because we’re able to provide our clients with personalized attention and care. We get to know them and their claims. No detail gets overlooked. You can also count on Mr. Rouse to answer your questions or address any concerns in a timely manner. We value communication and understand how important your claim is to you.

Negotiation vs Litigation

Most personal injury claims, including car accidents, are settled by negotiation. Attorney Rouse has successfully negotiated lucrative settlement sums for accident victims in Iowa. If the at-fault party is not willing to negotiate or has not offered a fair settlement, Mr. Rouse can escalate the case to court where he can pursue your legal goals before a judge and jury. Attorney Rouse is a tenacious trial lawyer with nearly a quarter century of experience going toe to toe with insurance company attorneys. He is passionate about achieving justice for his clients and fighting for what they deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Des Moines or elsewhere in Iowa and that collision was caused by the careless or reckless driving of another, you have a right to seek monetary compensation. You may have questions. You may be concerned about legal costs as you struggle to recover. Rouse Law P.C. offers a free initial consultation. We can discuss your claim and provide you with some helpful preliminary advice. We’ll also let you know that we do not charge any fees for our legal services unless we win you compensation or achieve an agreeable settlement through negotiations. That’s our promise to you. Call us to schedule your consultation. Remember, there is a time limit for filing these types of claims. Don’t wait to get the sound legal advice you need.