Des Moines Road Defect Attorneys
Was Your Car Accident Caused by Road Conditions?
Road defects are dangerous road situations that are capable of causing serious accidents and injuries to drivers. As patrons of the road, we expect to have adequately maintained roads to travel safely on. When roadways cause accidents, the resulting injuries can be severe. Many rollover accidents and single-vehicle accidents in Des Moines that occur as a result of road defects result in head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even death.
At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., we understand the financial burdens that medical bills and the costs of repairing property damage can cause an individual involved in an accident. Fortunately, our Des Moines road defect lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you need to recover.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a road defect, call us at (515) 705-0233 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Unfortunately, road defect law is complicated. As you’re dealing with major repair and medical bills, as well as the injuries you suffered in a road defect accident, you will not have the time and energy to research things like who might be at fault, how much your road defect accident claim is worth, and what the important legal facts of your case are. Insurance companies may also try to take advantage of you. They might offer compensation that is far too low, or they may try to take your statements and use them against you.
That’s why hiring an experienced road defect attorney is important. Our road defect lawyers in Des Moines will not only represent you and fight for your interests, but they can also sift through the complexities of your individual case. That means collecting evidence, doing paperwork, and making sure your interests properly represented. With the help of a top-tier, passionate attorney from LaMarca Law Group, P.C., we assure you that we will stick by your side until we can reach the best outcome possible for you. Contact us now at (515) 705-0233 or by using our contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case.
Why Choose Us?
For every case and for every client, our attorneys at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. fight aggressively to win every case and earn the best settlement possible. Thanks to a staff with a wide range of skills, you can have the confidence that at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. you’re working with seasoned legal professionals who know how to win.
Since our founding, we have a demonstrated history in representing clients against high-profile companies such as Exxon, Monsanto, Washington National Insurance Company, and AT&T. Our record of success includes cases like our $2.74 million settlement for a young woman involved in a bus accident or our $4.3 million case against the Iowa Department of Transportation for failing to maintain a highway.
In addition to the success of our legal team, we also take pride in being an active member of the community, especially in the realm of legal education. For the past 2 decades, our firm has mentored over 100 law students from both the University of Iowa and Drake University. We’re also an approved internship sponsor for the Legal Assistants Program at Des Moines Area Community College. Our community is important to us, which is why you can trust us to always have your best interest at hand when you work with one of our attorneys.
Who Is at Fault?
From the date of the road defect accident, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim and 5 years to file a personal property (damage to your property) claim in the state of Iowa. However, it isn’t always obvious who is responsible for an accident caused by a road defect.
The state government or a local municipality may be at fault if they knowingly failed to maintain the road that caused your accident. This is because if the government fails to properly maintain defects in the road, then they are most likely considered negligent and are liable for bad road conditions. Sometimes, it isn’t so simple.
It is up to the person filing the claim to prove that the government reasonably should have known and fixed this road defect, which is not always easy to prove. Finding fault is also further complicated by something called comparative negligence.
According to the rule of comparative negligence in Iowa, it is possible for both parties to be at fault. For example, even though the government-maintained road that caused the accident had many potholes, maybe you weren’t supposed to be driving on this road in the first place. In a case like this, the driver might be 10% responsible for the accident while the government might be 90% responsible. If you are more than 50% responsible for an accident, you will not be able to receive compensation.
Regardless of how things appear at first glance, finding fault is not always an easy or straightforward process. Moreover, filing a claim against the government can be confusing. Hiring an experienced road defect attorney in Des Moines can help you make sense of your accident and can assist in determining who exactly is at fault.
Common Defects in the Road
Many of the roads and highways across Iowa are in desperate need of repair. These unsafe road conditions put drivers at risk.
The most common road defects that can cause accidents include:
- Shoulder drop-off
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Lack of signs
- Lack of guardrails
- Construction site negligence
- Municipal negligence
At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., we believe that you should be compensated for your injuries. Our lawyers are here to possibly help ensure that your medical bills and lost wages are properly reimbursed.
Contact a Road Defect Lawyer in Des Moines
Our Des Moines road defect attorneys understand the frustration of dealing with the aftermath of a car accident that was not your fault.
If you or someone you know suffered due to an improperly maintained roadway, please contact our Des Moines road defect attorneys at (515) 705-0233 today to schedule a free consultation for your road defect case.
