In order for the Iowa State Police, or any local police officer, to arrest a driver the police must have probable cause to believe that the driver committed a crime. For example, if the police had probable cause to believe that the driver who caused your loved one’s accident was drunk, then they may have made an arrest.
However, not all fatal accidents occur because a driver commits a crime. Sometimes, Iowa fatal accidents occur because a driver was distracted, tired, or otherwise negligent.
Whether the driver committed a crime may have no bearing on your Iowa wrongful death case. You do not need to prove that the driver committed a crime in order to recover damages. Instead, you need to prove that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care and that the driver’s failure to exercise reasonable care resulted in the accident and your loved one’s death.
An experienced Iowa wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your rights and zealously advocate for your full recovery of damages after the death of a loved one. Damages may include compensation for medical bills incurred by your loved one prior to death, funeral expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, pain, suffering, and other expenses.
For more information, please contact an Iowa wrongful death attorney today via our website or by calling 800-800-5678 for a free consultation about your legal rights and possible financial recovery.