Des Moines Injury Lawyers Serving Injured Iowans

An accident can upend your life in an instant. Suddenly you are dealing with pain, medical bills, missed paychecks, and an insurance company that starts calling before you have even seen a doctor. An experienced Des Moines injury lawyer can carry that burden for you, so your focus stays on getting better.

At MSMC Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys bring more than 129 years of combined experience to injured Iowans. We work from our office on 13th Street in downtown Des Moines and travel to clients across the state. Because we handle injury cases on a contingency fee, you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

If you were hurt in the Des Moines area, contact us for a free consultation.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

Common Grounds for a Claim

Most personal injury claims come down to negligence: a driver texting, a store that ignored a spill, or a property owner who left a hazard unfixed. In each case, someone failed to act as a reasonably careful person would, and someone else got hurt as a result. Some claims, such as those involving defective products, can move forward even without proof of carelessness.

How the Process Works

Every case is different, but most follow a similar path. We investigate what happened and gather evidence, from medical records to the crash report. We calculate the full value of your losses, including the future care you may need. Then we deal directly with the insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement. If the insurer does not offer fair value for your claim, we can take the case to court.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Des Moines

At MSMC Injury Lawyers, we handle many types of injury claims for people across the Des Moines metro and all of Iowa. Some of the most common cases we handle include:

• Car Accidents: Distracted, speeding, and impaired drivers cause serious crashes on roads like I-235, I-35, and Grand Avenue. We help people hurt in car accidents hold negligent drivers accountable.
• Truck Accidents: Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries in a collision. Our experienced team handles the added complexity of truck accident claims.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Riders often suffer severe injuries when another driver fails to see them. We advocate for injured motorcyclists and push for fair compensation.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: In a walkable, bike-friendly city, cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable at busy intersections. We help them recover after a crash caused by a negligent driver.
• Slip and Fall and Premises Liability: Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If you were hurt by a hazard the owner ignored, our premises liability attorneys can help.
• Dog Bites: Iowa law holds dog owners responsible when their animal injures someone. We help people who were bitten or attacked seek compensation for medical care and lasting scars.
• Nursing Home Abuse: When a facility neglects or harms an older adult, families deserve answers. We pursue claims against negligent nursing homes and the people responsible.
• Catastrophic Injuries: Life-altering harm like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage carries lifelong costs. We build catastrophic injury claims that account for the future care you may need.
• Wrongful Death: Losing a loved one to another party’s negligence is a tragedy. Our wrongful death attorneys help families seek accountability and financial security.
• Workers’ Compensation: A workplace injury can leave you unable to earn a living. Our attorneys guide you through the Iowa workers’ compensation process, including claims that were already denied.

These cases involve every kind of injury, from whiplash and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and burns. Some injuries do not surface for days, so it is worth seeing a doctor after any accident, even if you feel fine.

Iowa Personal Injury Laws That Affect Your Claim

A few Iowa laws shape what your claim is worth and how long you have to act.

These include:

• The Deadline to File: Under Iowa law (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)), you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against a city, county, or the state follow separate procedures. A claim against the state, for example, must first be made in writing within that same two-year window, so it is smart to talk to a lawyer early.
• How Shared Fault Works: Iowa follows a modified comparative fault rule (Iowa Code § 668.3). If you were partly responsible, your compensation is reduced by your share of the fault. But if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything. This is why insurers work hard to shift blame onto you.
• Dog Bite Liability: Iowa law holds dog owners liable for injuries their animal causes, even without a history of aggression. If a dog bit you in Des Moines, you generally do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

What to Do After an Accident in Des Moines

What you do in the first hours and days after an accident can protect both your health and your claim. If you are able, take these steps:

• Get medical care right away. Go to an emergency room or see your doctor, even if you feel okay. Des Moines has strong care at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and Broadlawns Medical Center.
• Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, the roadway, any hazards, and your visible injuries.
• Exchange information. Collect names, phone numbers, and insurance details from everyone involved, along with contact information for any witnesses.
• Report the accident. Call the police to create an official record, and notify your own insurer.
• Protect what you say. Do not admit fault, and do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

You will likely need a copy of the crash report for your claim. For a collision inside the city, you can request the report from the Des Moines Police Department Records Unit, and Iowa crash reports are also available through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s online crash report request system. Keep the report number the responding officer gives you, as it speeds up the request.

Evidence fades quickly. Skid marks wash away, vehicles get repaired, and memories blur. The crash report, your medical records, photos, and witness contacts are some of the most valuable evidence in a personal injury case, and the sooner they are preserved, the stronger your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Iowa law allows injured people to recover for both the financial and personal toll of an accident. Every case is different, but compensation generally falls into two categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover measurable financial losses: past and future medical bills, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and property damage such as vehicle repairs. These are the costs you can add up with receipts, bills, and pay records. In a serious case, future medical care and lost earning power can far outweigh the bills you have already received, which is why a full accounting matters before you settle.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the harm that does not come with a receipt: physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the strain an injury puts on your relationships. These losses are real, and a thorough claim documents them fully.

How Settlement Value Is Determined

The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your care, how the injury affects your daily life and ability to work, and the strength of the evidence. Be wary of anyone who promises an exact figure after a short conversation. A fair estimate requires a full review of liability, damages, and available insurance coverage.

Resources for Injured Iowans in Des Moines

Recovering from a serious injury often means leaning on local care and support. These Des Moines resources can help.

Local Crash Data

Polk County sees thousands of traffic crashes every year, many of them on high-traffic corridors like I-235, I-35, and I-80. Knowing where crashes cluster helps explain why some routes carry more risk than others, and it can matter when reconstructing how a wreck happened.

Hospitals and Trauma Care

For emergencies, the Des Moines area is served by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and Broadlawns Medical Center, with Blank Children’s Hospital caring for younger patients. Prompt treatment protects your health, and the records these providers create become important evidence linking your injuries to the accident.

Local Support Organizations

Injury recovery is not only physical. Organizations like the Brain Injury Association of Iowa and the Trauma Survivors Network connect patients and families with peer support, and NAMI Iowa offers mental health resources during a difficult time. Leaning on these groups can ease the day-to-day strain while your claim moves forward.

Why Choose MSMC Injury Lawyers?

Over a Century of Combined Experience

Our attorneys bring more than 129 years of combined experience representing injured people across Iowa. We have represented thousands of injured Iowans against insurance companies that would rather pay as little as possible.

A Record of Meaningful Results

We have achieved significant results for our clients, including seven-figure settlements in serious injury and wrongful death cases. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but our record reflects how hard we fight.

Client-Centered Advocacy

You are not a case number to us. We keep you informed at every step, explain your options in plain language, and handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.

No Fee Unless We Recover

We handle injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no upfront cost and no hourly bills. Our fee comes out of the recovery we secure for you, so we only get paid when you do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in Iowa?

You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Iowa. Claims against a government entity follow separate procedures, and you must first file a claim against the state in writing. Talking to a lawyer early helps you avoid missing a deadline that could end your case.

How Does Iowa’s Comparative Fault Rule Affect My Settlement?

Iowa uses modified comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover at all. For example, if you were 20% responsible, you would receive 80% of your damages. Strong evidence helps keep your share of fault as low as possible.

What Steps Should I Take After a Car Accident in Des Moines?

Get medical attention first, even if you feel okay. Then document the scene, exchange information, report the crash to the police, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Contacting a lawyer early helps protect your claim from common mistakes.

How Do I Get a Copy of My Des Moines Accident Report?

You can request a crash report from the Des Moines Police Department Records Unit or through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s online crash report system. Keep the report number the responding officer gives you, as it speeds up the request. Your attorney can also obtain the report while building your claim.

What Should I Bring to a Consultation With an Injury Lawyer?

Bring anything that helps tell the story of your accident: the crash or incident report, photos, your medical records and bills, insurance information, and any letters from the insurance company. A written list of your questions helps too. If you do not have everything yet, come anyway, and we can help you gather the rest.

How Do I Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines?

Look for a lawyer with real experience handling cases like yours, clear communication, and a fee structure you understand. A free consultation is your chance to ask how the firm works, who will handle your case, and what to expect. The right fit should leave you feeling informed and comfortable, not pressured.

Should I Settle With the Insurance Company or Hire a Lawyer?

You are never required to accept the insurance company’s first offer, and early offers are often far below what a claim is worth. A lawyer can value your claim, handle the negotiation, and preserve your right to go to court if the insurer will not be fair. Because we work on a contingency basis, having us review an offer before you sign costs you nothing.

What if I Was Injured While Working in Des Moines?

If you were hurt on the job, you may have an Iowa workers’ compensation claim for medical care and lost wages, no matter who was at fault. In some cases, when a third party caused your injury, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. Our attorneys handle both and can help you pursue every source of compensation available.

How Much Does a Des Moines Injury Lawyer Cost?

You pay nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so our fee comes out of the money we recover for you, and if we do not recover anything, you do not owe us an attorney fee. We explain the terms clearly during your free consultation.

We’re Proud to Represent Des Moines

MSMC Injury Lawyers is part of the Des Moines community. Our office is a short drive from the Polk County Courthouse and easy to reach from I-235 via the nearby downtown exits. Metered street parking and public ramps make a visit straightforward, and if your injuries make travel difficult, we come to you.

We represent injured people from across the metro, including West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Altoona, and Pleasant Hill, and we travel to clients throughout Iowa. We know these roads, these courts, and the people who live here, and that local knowledge helps us build stronger cases for our neighbors.

Talk to an Experienced Des Moines Injury Lawyer Today

You did not ask to be hurt, and you should not have to face the insurance company alone. At MSMC Injury Lawyers, we handle the legal side so you can focus on recovering, and we do not charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Our personal injury attorneys work from Des Moines and travel to clients across Iowa.

If you or someone you love was injured in the Des Moines area, reach out for a free consultation. We can listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you understand your options, with no pressure and no cost to get started.