A recent motor vehicle accident involving a motorist and a DOT maintenance vehicle marks the first 2023 traffic related fatality in Des Moines. The driver crashed into a DOT maintenance vehicle that was pulled off the shoulder of an I-235 exit and later succumbed to his injuries. Accidents involving vehicles pulled over on the… [Read More]
Pedestrian Traffic Accidents Rise in Des Moines Metro
Pedestrian traffic accidents are on the rise in the Des Moines metropolitan area, with a number of hit and run accidents sending pedestrians to the hospital. Nationally, pedestrian deaths are on the rise, and in Iowa, the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities has steadily increased over the last several years. Not surprisingly, many traffic accidents… [Read More]
Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents
The popularity of rideshares as a means to get from point A to B is growing in popularity across the country. Companies such as Uber and Lyft have seen an increase in customers who appreciate the convenience of being picked up or dropped off at their destinations using an app on their phones and the… [Read More]
Personal Injury Caused by Drunk Driving
An injury accident caused by a drunk driver presents as a very clear indicator of negligence in a personal injury lawsuit. Drunk or drugged driving impairs a drivers physical and mental abilities significantly, diminishing their judgement, focus and concentration and affecting their coordination, control and reaction time. It is a recipe for an accident and,… [Read More]
Rear End Car Accidents
A typical passenger car traveling at 60 mph covers approximately 88 feet per second. When braking occurs, it takes over 270 feet for a car to come to a complete stop in ideal conditions – dry pavement with good brakes and tires. According to Edmunds, the perception time, the reaction time, and the effective braking… [Read More]
Improper Passing Car Accidents
Improper passing maneuvers on our roadways can result in catastrophic car accidents. Although motorists can often legally pass other vehicles on roadways, they must always exercise caution making sure that there is enough space and time to pass vehicles in their lane and that no other potential dangers exist. Sometimes inexperience plays a role in… [Read More]
Recent Des Moines Pedestrian Fatality Raises Road Safety Concerns
Recently, a motor vehicle pedestrian accident involving a child occurred at SW Ninth Street in Des Moines. This follows a Des Moines City plan to review safety issues in the area where two other fatal vehicle pedestrian accidents involving children also occurred in 2016 and 2017. At the time of the earlier incidents, the Des… [Read More]
Renewed Efforts to Reduce Distracted Driving
A collaboration between the Iowa State Patrol and Farm Bureau Insurance to reduce distracted driving has been joined by the Governor who declared the last week of May “End Distracted Driving Week in Iowa”. Among the resources available to promote safe driving choices is a video series starring Iowa State Patrol Officer Sargent Ludwig who… [Read More]
Injury Compensation When There is a Pre-Existing Condition
If someone is injured due to another’s negligence, the unexpected frailty of the injured person is not a valid defense against liability. The eggshell rule generally holds that the negligent party is liable for all consequences resulting from their negligent activities leading to the injury of another person even if the victim has an unusually… [Read More]
First Responders Injured By Distracted Drivers
The sight of paramedics, police, or fire crews responding to an accident or other roadside emergencies can cause motorists to engage in the dangerous practice of rubbernecking that can result in yet another accident. Add the distraction of a phone to the mix and sometimes first responders get hurt or killed. In fact, new research… [Read More]