Truck Accident Attorney
Truck Accident Attorney in Des Moines, IA
Getting into an accident with a big rig can be a catastrophic experience. In a recent year, more than 80 people lost their lives in accidents with commercial trucks; thousands more were left injured. As these rigs power down Iowa’s highways with their immense weight and full cargoes, their drivers are supposed to operate the vehicles with extreme care because when they do not, tragedy can occur.
If you’ve been injured by a truck driver who was careless, negligent, or reckless, you may be entitled to compensation in accordance with Iowa law. Rouse Law P.C. focuses on personal injury law with an emphasis on car and truck accidents. With more than two decades of experience, Mr. Rouse and his firm provide each client with customized representation. Bring your claim to Mr. Rouse for a free initial consultation so you can make an informed decision about how to best proceed.
Truck Accident Statistics Are Alarmingly High
In the United States, more than 500,000 collisions involving trucks occur in a given year. Truck drivers are supposed to undergo extensive training in order to have the expertise needed to operate their big rigs. They are also tasked to drive with caution. Yet, errors happen. When a truck driver makes a careless error on the road or drives recklessly, they put the lives of other drivers at risk. Some of the most common errors and reckless behaviors that truck drivers make include:
- Driving drowsy
- Improper lane changes
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Overloaded truck
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Using cellphone
- Tailgating
- Failing to inspect the truck (especially brakes)
- Failing to follow rules of the road
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a truck, you may be entitled to fair compensation if the truck driver was at fault. Mr. Rouse will carefully examine your claim to help you understand its merits and challenges. If you choose to pursue your claim, you can rely on his aggressive representation of your rights. He will fight relentlessly to help you achieve the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident victims often suffer serious injuries that can have life-changing consequences. Even in the short term—weeks or months—an injury can lead to lost work wages and significant medical expense. Many accident victims may even require years of recovery time—and sometimes never fully recover or are left permanently disabled. Some common types of injuries associated with truck accidents are:
- Broken Bones
- Fractures
- Burns
- Organ Damage
- Internal Bleeding
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The physical and emotional distress that accident victims suffer is often agonizing. Rouse Law P.C. has represented hundreds of truck accident victims. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a careless truck driver, our firm can help.
We Charge No Fees unless We Win Your Case
Many truck accident victims wonder how on earth they can possibly pay for legal representation when they’re struggling to keep a roof above their head and pay their medical expenses. When an accident victim is injured and unable to work for weeks, months, or even years, they may face financial ruin. Our firm does not want to add to the suffering. Our policy is this: we will not charge our legal fees unless we’re able to negotiate an agreeable settlement or win a compensation sum at trial. That is our promise to you. And, as always, our firm does not charge for initial consultations.
Attorney Rouse Fights for Your Right to Fair Compensation
Attorney Rouse and his firm can manage all aspects of truck accident claims, allowing clients to focus on their recovery journey. We can perform a wide array of tasks that support your claim. Our legal services include:
- Thorough claim investigation
- File court documents
- Manage all case-related paperwork
- Procure witness accounts
- Examine police reports
- Visit the scene of the accident to investigate
- Obtain photos or video footage of the accident (if they exist)
- Hire an accident reconstructionist or actuary as needed
- Communicate with at-fault party’s attorneys
- Communicate with insurance companies and their lawyers
- Negotiate or litigate on your behalf
In addition to our services, Rouse Law also provides timely updates to clients. We take client communication seriously. Mr. Rouse makes it a priority to return clients’ calls as soon as possible.
Compensation in Iowa
If you’re hurt in a truck accident, you have a right to seek compensation if the driver of the truck is found to be at fault. Compensation includes:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost work wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
Each claim is different, but you can count on Attorney Rouse to work to achieve the best-possible settlement or compensation package. In these cases, a trucking company may also be at fault. While these cases can be complex, Mr. Rouse has the experience needed to provide clients with the skilled representation they need.
It’s important to carefully consider what a fair compensation amount should look like. Many accident victims will require long-term care. It’s important that future medical costs and lost work wages are accounted for. We can consult with medical experts and actuaries to ensure that we arrive at a realistic figure.
We’ll Deal with the Insurers!
Many insurance companies are quick to get in touch with injured drivers. If you are contacted by the truck driver’s insurance company or attorneys, it’s best to say nothing. Instead, direct them to your personal injury attorney. You could say something that actually harms your case. In addition, never sign any forms from insurance companies without running them past your attorney. You could be waiving your right to the compensation you’re owed! It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to attempt to settle a claim early. They may realize that their driver is woefully at fault and want to avoid a legal battle. They frequently hope that a victim will accept a sum of money without considering what they might be owed should they pursue their claim.
Mr. Rouse has roughly a quarter century of experience dealing with insurance companies and their lawyers. He understands their business model; they want to pay out as little as possible. Bring your claim to Mr. Rouse. He will provide you with his experience-based legal counsel so that you are aware of all of your options.
Negotiation or Litigation?
Most Iowa truck accident claims are settled out of court. Mr. Rouse has negotiated hundreds of lucrative settlement sums for his clients. He is a skilled negotiator and will aggressively pursue his clients right to fair compensation. Before sitting down with insurers or other attorneys, he will have a solid idea of what fair compensation should look like for your case. Naturally, it’s up to the client to accept or decline a settlement offer, but he will do everything he can to achieve the settlement you deserve.
Sometimes that other party refuses to negotiate or is unwilling to offer a fair settlement sum to victims. In these cases, Attorney Rouse will escalate the matter to litigation. He has a long track record as a successful litigator. He will tenaciously fight for your rights before a judge and jury, doing is best to hold errant truck drivers accountable for their driving mistakes.
Remember, Rouse Law P.C. will not assess any of our legal fees unless we achieve a verdict compensation sum or negotiated settlement. When we do bill for our fees, we will provide a transparent account of our services. Mr. Rouse and his firm enjoy a reputation in Des Moines for honesty and integrity. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, call Rouse Law to schedule your free initial consultation. There’s no obligation. Mr. Rouse will evaluate your claim and provide you with some preliminary legal advice. Then, you can decide to how to proceed. If you allow him to represent you, he will never take the trust you place in him for granted and he’ll do everything in his power to achieve your legal goals.
Attorney Ward A. (Sam) Rouse
