Category Archives: Auto Accident
When Is the Owner of a Vehicle Responsible for an Auto Accident Caused by a Negligent Driver?
Legal responsibility for an auto accident is not always limited to the negligent driver. If another person actually owned the vehicle, they may also be liable for any personal injury suffered by a third party. Under Iowa law, this “vicarious liability” applies when the owner gave their consent to allow the negligent driver to… Read More »
Loss-of-Use Damages Following a Car Accident
If your car is totaled in an auto accident caused by another person’s negligence, you obviously can seek damages for the replacement cost of your vehicle. But you may also be entitled to additional damages for the “loss of use” and out-of-pocket expenses related to your car. Under Iowa law, loss-of-use damages are available… Read More »
How Can Iowa’s “Comparative Fault” Rule Affect the Outcome of a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases. What does this mean in practice? Basically, if two drivers are involved in an auto accident, and one driver ends up suing the other for damages, the judge jury has to apportion relative fault between the two parties. The plaintiff driver can then… Read More »
Do You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If you are seriously injured in an auto accident, you have the right to sue the negligent driver for damages. But what if the driver has no insurance, or their coverage is not sufficient to compensate you for your injuries? In such situations, you may be able to turn to your own auto insurance… Read More »
What Happens When You Negotiate an Auto Accident Settlement with a Negligent Driver’s Insurance Company?
If you are injured in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence–say, a driver runs a red light and hits your car–Iowa law allows you to seek compensation for your damages. In many cases, this means dealing with the negligent driver’s insurance company. These insurers are often quick to offer a settlement, which… Read More »
Sorting Out Liability for a Multi-Car Highway Accident
When more than two vehicles are involved in an auto accident, it can be difficult to sort out legal liability. In the case of a chain-reaction accident–e.g., Driver A rear-ends Driver B, which causes Driver B to hit Driver C–the first driver in the chain (Driver A) can be held responsible to damages sustained… Read More »
Proving Negligence for a Fatal Car Accident
Losing a child in an auto accident is a parent’s worst nightmare. It is therefore understandable that the grieving parents want to hold a negligent driver responsible. But it’s important to understand that it is evidence, not grief, that decides a personal injury lawsuit in Iowa. And even when the victim is no longer… Read More »
Is an Iowa County Liable for Accidents Caused by Roadside Hazards?
If a private landowner places a hazard on their property that injured a third party, the victim typically may seek damages under the principles of premises liability. But what about hazards on land owned by the state or a municipality? In Iowa, the courts have long recognized a “public-duty doctrine,” which basically says that… Read More »
Is an Employer Responsible for an Auto Accident Caused by a Commuting Employee?
If you are seriously injured in an auto accident, you may be able to seek compensation against not only the negligent driver, but also their employer. Iowa courts generally permit such recovery under the legal principle of “respondeat superior,” which translates from Latin to mean “let the principal answer.” Basically, if the driver is… Read More »
How to Determine What Your Iowa Car Accident Claim is Worth
If you were injured in a car accident in Southeast Iowa, you may be wondering if you can file a car accident claim for damages, and if so, how much your claim might be worth. Calculating a personal injury settlement is often a complex process, one that requires the insurance adjusters and possibly a… Read More »
