Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer in Des Moines

Fighting For Those Who Have Been Injured By a Distracted Driver in Iowa

Distracted driving is a leading factor in motor vehicle accident injury and death in Iowa and throughout the United States. Drivers who text while driving are breaking the law ¾ and causing needless pain and death.

With more than 40 years of combined experience serving clients injured by the negligence of others, the personal injury attorneys at Hope Law Firm deliver determined, decisive representation when you are injured in a car or truck accident by a driver violating texting while driving laws in Iowa. 

Call Hope Law Firm today at (515) 298-5056 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Des Moines texting & driving accident attorney.

Texting and Driving Laws in Iowa

In 2010, Iowa became the 21^st state to ban texting while driving. These are the laws in Iowa:

• For teen drivers, sending or receiving a text is a primary offense, meaning law enforcement has the authority to initiate a traffic stop if they observe a young driver texting.
• For adults, texting while driving is a secondary offense, giving law enforcement the opportunity to ticket a driver only if the driver is stopped for another offense.
• A texting ticket is $30, with additional fees and penalties for causing accident or injury.

Although texting while driving is a primary offense in 35 states, Iowa is one of three states that designate it a secondary offense. Without legal ability to stop drivers they observe texting, law enforcement has difficulty slowing damage and injury caused by texting.

When an accident happens, and you are hurt by a driver distracted by texting, our law firm can help.

Common Injuries in Texting & Driving Accidents

Common injuries may include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: These injuries could result from a sudden impact or violent jolt to the head, leading to cognitive impairments, memory issues, and other long-term complications.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Harm to the spine can cause partial or full paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care and rehabilitation.
• Broken Bones: High-impact collisions often result in fractures that may need surgical intervention and extensive physical therapy.
• Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Neck, back, and muscle injuries are common in rear-end collisions caused by distracted drivers.
• Lacerations and Bruises: Debris from the crash or contact with the vehicle’s interior can leave victims with painful cuts and bruises.
• Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims often experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a serious accident.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Texting & Driving Accident Claim?

Damages may include:

Economic Damages

These damages compensate for measurable financial losses, such as:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for past, current, and future medical treatments, including surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for time missed from work due to injury, as well as diminished earning capacity if the accident impacts your ability to work long-term.
• Property Damage: Restoration or replacement costs for your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the collision.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address intangible losses, including:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Recovery for diminished ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological harm such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

Punitive Damages

In some instances, courts may grant punitive damages to punish particularly reckless behavior, such as texting while driving, and deter similar conduct in the future.

How We Can Help if You Are Injured

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by 23 percent compared to driving without distraction. If you are injured by any negligent driver, thorough investigation by our firm helps get the facts straight. We look for the following:

• Do you suspect the driver who injured you was texting? Did he or she make an admission after the accident to you or witnesses at the scene?
• Does law enforcement believe texting was a factor in the accident? Are their findings reflected on the accident report?
• If the negligent driver does not admit to texting while driving, cell phone records can be requested after a personal injury lawsuit is filed. Even if the driver deleted the text, a history of that text is retained in cell phone records.

Driving distracted has the same potential result as driving impaired — painful and deadly injury. If you are hurt in a motor vehicle accident caused by texting or another form of distraction, we pursue justice and full compensation on your behalf.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Our Des Moines texting & driving accident attorneys at Hope Law Firm are here to guide you every step of the way. With years of experience handling personal injury claims, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Time is of the essence in these cases, as Iowa law limits how long you have to file a claim. Don’t wait—reach out to us today for a consultation. Let us fight for justice while you concentrate on your recovery.

Contact Hope Law Firm today to get started with our texting & driving accident lawyer in Des Moines.