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]
Des Moines Iowa Bicycle Accidents
Despite expanded prevention efforts across the nation, fatalities among bicycle riders have increased. In 2015, nearly 1,000 bicyclists were killed in accidents, a 12 percent jump over the previous year. Decades ago, children and teens accounted for many of the cycling deaths, injuries and near misses, however, more recently, older cyclists have joined their ranks… [Read More]
Determining Fault in an Iowa Car Accident
Following a car accident, you may be surprised to find that the other driver is not admitting fault even though you feel they clearly caused the accident. The question of who was at fault in a car accident can be answered by looking at whose negligence or carelessness resulted in the accident, but sometimes both… [Read More]
Safe Driving for Teens Boils Down to Experience
According to the Journal of Adolescent Health, the cause of teenage crashes is not the skill with which they can drive so much as it is the judgement they exercise while driving, something largely gained from experience. Are Teen Driver’s Education Programs Enough? Despite efforts to educate kids through driver’s education, there is little evidence… [Read More]
Common Car Accident Injuries
Common car accident injuries include closed head injuries (also known as traumatic brain injury or TBI); disc and spinal injuries; soft tissue injuries such as sprains; whiplash; abdominal injuries; broken bones; facial disfigurement and contusions. The injuries someone sustains in a car accident correlate with the type of motor vehicle crash they are involved in…. [Read More]
Paying Medical Bills After a Car Accident
When someone is injured in a car accident, they may be concerned about how they will pay medical costs while waiting for a settlement from the negligent party’s insurance company. Although it may be tempting to accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company early on to take care of medical bills, which many… [Read More]
Document Injuries Following Car and Bicycle Accidents
Many bicyclists are out on Iowa roads enjoying the warm summer weather. Although bicyclists are legally entitled to “share the road” with other drivers, they are in a potentially vulnerable position when traveling along the same routes as cars, trucks and other vehicles. When accidents happen, it is important to protect yourself legally in case… [Read More]
