Car accident lawyer serving West Des Moines, IA

Steps to take right after a West Des Moines crash

Have a doctor check you within a day, and go back if headaches, dizziness or stiffness appear later in the week. Request the report number from West Des Moines police or the Iowa State Patrol if the crash was on the interstate. Photograph the vehicles, the interchange or intersection, the weather and your injuries, and ask witnesses for their phone numbers. Keep bills, receipts and a short daily note about pain and time away from work in one place. If the other driver's side reaches out for a recorded statement, it is reasonable to wait. A car accident attorney can take over that conversation and tell you what else to gather.

Why crashes happen around West Des Moines

West Des Moines is where I-35 and I-80 run together along the city's north edge and where I-235 splits off toward downtown Des Moines. The ramps at that junction carry commuters, cross country trucks and shoppers headed for the Jordan Creek area all at once. University Avenue, Mills Civic Parkway and Grand Avenue are wide suburban arterials with long signal cycles and frequent left turn collisions. Banking and financial offices bring tens of thousands of workers in and out at the same hours each day. Iowa winters mean drifting snow across the open stretches of I-80, icy bridges and salt haze on windshields. Spring storms can produce sudden downpours and hail that stop traffic.

What you get from the free case review

Someone picks up at any hour in English, Spanish or Arabic and listens to your account of the crash, your injuries, your treatment so far and the police report. They lay out how crash cases in Iowa usually proceed so you understand the steps before making a choice. The review works out whether an attorney would be likely to take your case and what kind of attorney fits it. If the facts point the other way, you are told that straight out rather than being handed off. There is no bill for the free consultation and nothing you are asked to sign.

Connecting you with an Iowa licensed attorney

Car Accident Lawyers Agency is a referral service from Legal Gridlock. It is not a law firm and does not handle the case itself. It connects you with an independent personal injury lawyer licensed in Iowa who handles crashes like yours, whether that is an I-80 merge collision in blowing snow, a left turn crash on University Avenue or a parking lot collision at the mall. The attorney reviews the facts and discusses with you whether to continue. When a case is not one to pursue, the service says so instead of making a referral for its own sake. You are never obligated to hire the attorney you are introduced to.

What usually follows once an attorney is involved

Your attorney gathers the crash report, photos, medical records, witness statements and any camera footage from the interchange or nearby businesses. They inform the other driver's side that you are represented, which puts an end to the calls. You continue treatment and keep the attorney posted on your recovery. Once the medical picture is clear enough to evaluate, the attorney explains the options in everyday language, which may involve negotiation or a lawsuit filed in Polk or Dallas County depending on where the crash occurred. Each step waits for your agreement. Cases take different lengths of time, and no attorney can promise the result.