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Injured in a Iowa Car Accident? Here's What You Need To Know.
Injured in a Iowa Car Accident? Here's What You Need To Know.If you’ve been hurt or if your loved one has been killed due to the negligence of another driver on the road, then you need accurate information about your legal rights and your potential recovery. At Hupy and Abraham, our experienced car accident lawyers and legal team have more than two centuries of combined legal experience representing people who have been hurt, and we believe that you have the right to have all of your questions answered. Accordingly, we invite you to download our free book, The Ultimate Guide for Automobile Accident Victims, and to browse our extensive website to get the information that you need right now.
Hupy and Abraham also has Iowa offices located in Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines and offers free consultations. Call us today at 319-343-7411 to talk with our car accident lawyers to discuss your accident.
What Are the Most Common Kinds of Car Accidents?
How vehicles collide is often relevant to who was at fault for the accident and the severity of the injuries suffered in the crash. Six of the most common types of Iowa car crashes include:
- T-Bone Accidents: A T-bone crash occurs when the front of one car collides with the side of another car. These accidents typically occur when one driver fails to stop for a traffic sign or signal at an intersection and crashes into a car proceeding through the intersection.
- Rear-End Accidents: When a car hits the vehicle in front of it, then a rear-end accident has occurred. Some common causes of rear end crashes include distracted driving, drowsy driving, and drunk driving. The severity of the injuries suffered in the accident depends, in part, on the speed of both vehicles at the time of the collision.
- Head-on Collisions: A head-on collision occurs when the front (or head) of both vehicles collide. It could occur when a driver is going the wrong way on a one-way road or when a driver crossed the center line and collides with oncoming traffic. These types of accidents are not as common as other types of crashes, but they often result in significant injuries or death.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian accidents are not always the fault of the driver, but it is often the pedestrian who is most seriously injured. Drivers who are negligent and cause these types of accidents may be liable for the injuries they cause.
- Bicycle Accidents: Bicyclists and motorists need to share many local roads. When a motorist is distracted, drowsy, drunk or otherwise negligent, then the results can be devastating for bicyclists.
- Rollover Crashes: Speeding, overcorrecting of the vehicle often caused by drowsiness or distraction, and tire problems can all contribute to crashes were the vehicle lands on its side or its roof. Serious injuries including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death may result.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Iowa?
Our experienced Iowa car accident lawyer has represented people who have been hurt, or who have lost loved ones because of auto wrecks. Below are the 8 most common causes of car collisions.
- Distracted Driving: It is against the law for all Iowa drivers to text and drive and for new Iowa drivers to use cell phones while driving. However, distracted driving because of cell phone use, eating, talking, daydreaming and other factors continues to be a common cause of serious crashes.
- Drunk Driving: It is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in Iowa. Drivers who are legally drunk—and those who are intoxicated despite lower BAC scores—can cause significant accident injuries.
- Drowsy or Fatigued Driving: While there is no specific law prohibiting car drivers from driving while they are tired, it is important to know that fatigued drivers may be negligent and dangerous drivers who cause catastrophic crashes.
- Speeding: Speed limits in Iowa range from 55 to 70 mph on interstates and limited access roads. The speed limits may be much lower on local roads. Drivers who exceed these speed limits put themselves and others at risk of serious injury.
- Complicated Roadways: The design of a road or the current conditions on a road can make driving confusing and that confusion can result in a driver making a mistake that results in an accident.
- Teen Drivers: Iowa has a graduated license system. Yet teen drivers are new drivers who lack the driving experience of older drivers. This lack of experience and other factors may make some teen drivers more likely to cause a crash.
- Elderly Drivers: Drivers who are age 70 or older must have their licenses renewed every two years rather than every five years, as the law requires for younger drivers in Iowa. Despite this increased monitoring of older drivers, the eyesight, reflexes, and other health conditions of elderly drivers may result in accidents.
- Aggressive Driving: Aggressive drivers are typically in a hurry. They may follow the vehicle in front of them too closely, they may speed, and they may weave in and out of traffic, making an accident more likely.
While state laws try to prevent crashes, these factors often result in serious or life-ending injuries. Learn more about the common causes of car accidents in Iowa.
