Des Moines is a bustling midwestern capital with a high concentration of busy highways, growing neighborhoods surrounded by all-season weather, generating plenty of traffic. However, sadly, that activity causes an ever-present threat of automobile accidents, slip-and-falls, and workplace injuries.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has also noted that Polk County, which houses Des Moines, reported over 13,000 traffic mishaps in 2023 with over 5,000 victims. Those affected often struggle with hospital stays, insurance claims, and lost wages.
If you find yourself in such a situation, hiring a personal injury attorney in Des Moines, Iowa promptly can help you get back on your feet without financial loss. More importantly, this guide explains the key Iowa laws, the legal process, and what to consider when hiring a legal professional. It also includes a list of 10 notable Des Moines accident lawyers you can contact directly.
Why You Might Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines
Des Moines is a busy city with high traffic, bustling workplaces, and crowded public spaces, which increases the risk of accidents. Car crashes, slip-and-fall incidents, workplace injuries, and other personal harm can leave victims physically, emotionally, and financially strained. Navigating insurance claims, medical bills, and legal procedures can be overwhelming without professional help.
A personal injury attorney ensures your rights are protected, accurately evaluates your claim, negotiates with insurance companies, and helps secure fair compensation. With local knowledge of Iowa laws and court systems, an attorney guides you efficiently through the complex legal process
Personal Injury Laws in Iowa You Must Know
Local law is useful in enabling a quick and error-free passage.
| Legal Topic | Iowa Rule |
| Statute of Limitations | Most claims have 2 year dates on which an injury occurred. |
| Discovery Rule | Clock can begin upon oncoming of the injury. |
| Medical Malpractice | Two-year restriction and an outer statute of repose. |
| Comparative Fault | You can recover compensations as you are partly to blame but the compensation decreases with your percentage of negligence. |
| Damage Caps | The medical malpractice and financial damages are limited; but not for the majority of other PI cases. |
How to Choose the Right Attorney
1. Verify Credentials and Reviews
Before hiring, check the attorney’s credentials through Iowa state bar association and reputable legal directories. Google reviews and testimonials can give additional insight, but only official listings confirm licensing, good standing, and disciplinary history.
2. Free Consultations
A free initial consultation is provided by the majority of personal injury lawyers. This meeting allows you to discuss your case, evaluate the lawyer’s approach, and see if you feel comfortable working with them without committing financially.
3. Conduct Detailed Interviews
Ask about the lawyer’s experience with cases like yours, their success rate, fee structure, and available resources such as investigators or expert witnesses. This helps ensure they are well-equipped to handle your claim effectively.
4. Ensure Timely Communication
A good attorney should clearly explain how often and through which channels they will update you on your case. Regular communication ensures your questions are answered promptly and you stay informed throughout the legal process.
List of Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines
1. Russel D. Nicolet
- Website:https://www.nicoletlaw.com/
- Contact: 715-377-2141
- Address: 517 2nd Street, Unit 205, Hudson, WI 54016
Russel D. Nicolet is a Personal Injury lawyer in Des Moines at Nicolet Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, also working in the Wisconsin and Minnesota offices of the firm. Mr. Nicolet specializes in personal injury law and has been assisting clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota for over a decade.
He focuses on motor vehicle accidents, animal bites, slip-and-fall incidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases. Understanding the challenges clients face, he works diligently to achieve the best outcomes, even against insurance companies and other formidable opponents.
Recognized for his expertise, the National Trial Lawyers has repeatedly listed Mr. Nicolet among the top 40 attorneys under 40. He also holds honors from the American Society of Legal Advocates, the Motor Vehicle Accident Trial Lawyers Association, the Trucking Trial Lawyer Association, and the National Advocates, and has been featured in multiple national publications.
2. Christa Binstock Israel
- Website:https://www.atwoodlaw.com/
- Contact: 402-476-4400
- Address: 575 Fallbrook Boulevard, Suite 206, Lincoln, NE 68521
As a partner and trial attorney at Atwood Law, P.C. L.L.O., Christa Binstock Israel is a skilled Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines who also practices in workers’ compensation and wrongful death cases. Raised on her family’s farm in North Dakota, Christa brings what the firm calls “farm charm” a strong work ethic, kindness, simplicity, and unwavering dedication to her clients’ best interests. Combined with her legal expertise, sharp observation, and analytical skills, she has achieved success both in and out of the courtroom, securing favorable outcomes in Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court and the Nebraska Supreme Court.
3. Eashaan Vajpeyi
- Website:https://www.ballkirkholm.com/
- Contact: 319-387-0923
- Address: 3324 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50704-2696
Eashaan Vajpeyi is a shareholder and lawyer with Kirk and Holm, P.C. based at Ball. He deals in personal injury cases and medical malpractice and will be representing clients in Iowa. In the area of litigation and appeals, he has now practiced in divorce and family law, professional malpractice law, motor vehicle accidents, legal malpractice and employment law.
Mr. Vajpeyi barred in the state of Ohio since 2011 is also barred in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Iowa and the United States District Court of the Southern District of Iowa. He is on the board of Governors- Iowa Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, Black Hawk County Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association and Iowa Association for Justice.
In 2007, Mr. Vajpeyi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Iowa. He subsequently pursued his Juris Doctor at The University of Iowa College of Law where he graduated with several honors as a student extern of The United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Iowa. When he studied law, he was also a Contributing Web Editor of the Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems Law Review.
4. Brian Galligan
- Website:https://www.galliganlaw.com/
- Contact: 515-395-9593
- Address: 13375 University Ave., Suite 302, Clive, IA 50325
Brian Galligan is a highly experienced Personal Injury lawyer who works with Galligan Law in Des Moines, Iowa. He specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. Focusing on the needs of injured individuals and their families, Mr. Galligan handles a wide range of cases, including defective drugs, faulty medical devices, financial injuries, mesothelioma-asbestos, motor vehicle accidents, nursing home abuse, premises liability, product liability, workplace injuries, and clergy sex abuse. His practice covers Des Moines as well as Dubuque, Linn, and Polk counties.
Mr. Galligan previously served as an intern in the White House and completed his undergraduate studies at Colorado College, followed by his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is authorized to practice in Iowa state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
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5. Ward A. Rouse
- Website:https://rouselaw.us/
- Contact: 515-631-4884
- Address: 4940 Pleasant St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
The founder of Rouse Law P.C., Ward A. (Sam) Rouse has over thirty years of experience defending the rights of his clientele in the city of Des Moines, Iowa, and across the region in general. He equally dedicates time in his practice to personal injury litigation cases, state and federal criminal cases which deal with litigation of motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, drug cases and driving under the influence of alcohol.
In 1987 Mr. Rouse received 2 bachelor degrees in politics and philosophy at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Later, he began studying law at the Drake University Law School. He earned his Juris Doctor in the year 1990 and was afterwards given permission to practice in any court within the state of Iowa.
6. Jason F. Abraham
- Website:https://www.hupy.com/
- Contact: 414-240-1200
- Address: 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Jason F. Abraham, a shareholder at Law Hupy and Abraham, S.C. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a respected Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines who represents clients across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He specializes in car accidents, motorcycle and truck crashes, dog bites, and other personal injury cases. Certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Mr. Abraham focuses on helping individuals injured—or families who have lost a loved one—due to negligence or wrongful conduct.
With over 25 years of experience, he has secured numerous verdicts and settlements exceeding $1 million, totaling over $400 million for his clients. His exceptional results have earned him recognition in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
7. Nathaniel Boulton
- Website:https://www.hedberglaw.com/
- Contact: 515-522-8633
- Address: 100 Court Ave, Suite 425, Des Moines, IA 50309
Nathaniel R. Boulton is an established employment law attorney in the State of Iowa and he offers his professional services to the people of the State in the firm of Hedberg and Boulton, P.C., which he also serves as a partner. He is of the firmer belief in upholding the rights of employees who contribute a lot of effort and hard work to their jobs and are mistreated by the employers. He has been practicing the law over the last 18 years and concentrates in the cause of fighting on behalf of his clients in the personal injury and labour law and workers compensation cases.
An attorney authorised to practice law in Illinois, Mr. Boulton cases in the U.S.Distinct Courts representing the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa. In 2002, he graduated with a cum laude bachelor degree in 2002 in Indianola, Simpson College, majoring in history and political science. He got a masters of degree in (public administration) at Drake University in Des Moines, in addition to getting his J.D. certificate in legislative practice. In Trial Advocacy, he received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award.
8. Tom Drew
- Website:http://www.drewlawfirm.com/#page_container
- Contact: 515-395-9427
- Address: 535 40th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Tom Drew, of the Drew Law Firm PC – Injury Settlement Solutions in Des Moines, Iowa, has been striving consistently throughout his lifetime of over 35 years, presently inspired by the relative stability of the legal sector, disrupted by no challenging condition or daunting challenge, his proven ability to provide effective legal services consistently through personalized treatment, precise concentration and strong sense of work ethic. He addresses tort cases involving numerous personal injuries, issues involving the law of workers compensation, and offers his customers his deep practical experience and his passionate eagerness to get them going on in their lives and into improved opportunities in their futures.
9. Nicholas L. Shaull
- Website:https://sslawplc.com/nick-shaull/
- Contact: 515-620-3355
- Address: 2423 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-5233
Nicholas L. Shaull is a dedicated Personal Injury lawyer at Spaulding & Shaull, P.L.C., representing clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and insurance bad faith cases. With over ten years of experience, he is committed to helping injured individuals and workers secure fair compensation. In 2019, the American Institute of Legal Counsel recognized him as one of the “10 Best Attorneys in Client Satisfaction” in the Workers’ Compensation Law category.
Mr. Shaull is admitted to practice in the state of Iowa, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Criminal Justice, summa cum laude, from the University of South Dakota in 2006, and later received his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School, earning a Certificate of Public Service.
10. Erin Marie Tucker
- Website:https://www.tuckerlaw.net/
- Contact: 515-575-4869
- Address: 2400 86th Street, Suite 35, Des Moines, IA 50322
Erin Marie Tucker is a skilled Personal Injury Attorney in Des Moines at Tucker Law, focusing on personal injury and workers’ compensation litigation throughout Central Iowa. Licensed to practice since 2015, she handles cases involving workplace accidents, fatalities, car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and other injury-related matters. Ms. Tucker is known for being well-prepared and highly effective in court advocacy.
She graduated with honors from AIB College of Business in Des Moines with a Bachelor of Arts in 2009 and earned her Juris Doctor degree with magna cum laude honors from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. During her studies, she participated in moot court competitions and law research projects, honing her litigation skills and courtroom expertise.
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Final Word: Protect Your Rights Now
Accidents in Des Moines are unfortunately common, and obtaining fair compensation can be challenging without proper legal support. Acting promptly is crucial—gather evidence quickly and be mindful of Iowa’s two-year statute of limitations. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa with strong knowledge of local laws and courts can maximize your compensation and streamline the claims process. The right lawyer not only understands the law but also prioritizes your best interests, guiding you confidently through recovery. Protect your rights now and ensure you receive the justice and support you deserve.
FAQs
Q1. What is the duration of the personal injury action in Iowa?
The Iowa Code SS614.1 provides that most cases concerning a personal injury would be required within the time span of two years after the accident or even after you realized about the injury. Failure to meet such a deadline will lock you out of damages recovery.
Q2. Possibly, maybe I was at fault as well?
The state of Iowa adheres to an amended comparative fault regulation. To commence with, damages assessment can still be retrieved, so long as you are less than fifty one percent guilty but what you could gain will be discounted by your percentage of guilt.
Q3. Too expensive to have a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines?
Majority of law practitioners operate at a contingent fee of 33-40 per cent of any settlement or court victory. You are often not charged so that when you lose the case there would be no charges (Merriam, 2009).
Q4. Should I bring a personal injury case to court?
Not necessarily. At the time of such negotiations with insurance companies, many cases are settled. When a just settlement is not made, a suit is commenced.
Q5. What are the damages that I can recover in a case of a personal injury in the state of Iowa?
You can claim economic (medical expenses, lost earnings, damage to your property) and non-economic (sufferings, emotional distress). Iowa only caps non-economic damages in certain sections such as medical malpractices.
