Traffic Cameras- Saving Lives or Unfairly Targeting Iowans and Invading Privacy?

As many know or have experienced, Iowa cities have been following a national trend by installing cameras to monitor compliance with traffic laws, including speed limits and traffic lights at intersections. In fact, on August 29 of 2008, the Supreme Court of Iowa held that state law did not preempt municipalities’ authority to establish municipal ordinances allowing for automated traffic systems. (opinion) Specifically, the Court held that the municipal ordinance in question, in this case from Davenport, did not violate the Iowa state statute requiring uniform traffic laws. However, this decision was not unanimous and Justice Wiggins articulated a pointed dissent disagreeing with the Court’s outcome and reasoning. Further, this challenge did not present other arguments against such ordinances such as due process issues. Regardless, as the law is presently construed, camera enforcement of traffic laws is currently legal in Iowa and in use. The cities of Des Moines, Clive, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport, Dubuque, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Muscatine, and Belle Plain are among those that are currently using traffic enforcement cameras to some extent. Iowa City, Libertyville, and others are either considering or implementing such enforcement as well. For a comprehensive list of all such lights in Iowa, click here.

The use of these cameras have many implications and have some Iowans uneasy. On the one hand, municipalities argue that these cameras increase safety and save lives. In fact, a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety found that red light cameras specifically are saving lives. (study). The study generally found a significant drop in fatal crashes at intersections controlled by traffic lights in the cities studied. However, not everyone is convinced and certain advocacy and other groups are concerned with proper administration and oversight of the system, abuse by municipalities for a source of revenue, and violations of drivers, rights and civil liberties. For a recent article on KCCI.com regarding this study and the reaction to it, click here.

Problems that Iowans and advocacy groups foresee and that have come up in the past include citing drivers based only on the vehicle driven. This is due to the fact that generally ,citations are issued only based upon a picture taken of the license plate on the car. Such citations are then simply mailed to the registered owner without regard to who was actually driving the car. These concerns among others have led to some legislators in Iowa questioning the propriety of the systems completely. In fact, a group of Iowa senators is now making an effort to ban the use of cameras that monitor speeding and red light compliance completely. (KCCI story) The concerns noted by our senators include big brother-like involvement by cities as well as unfair revenue sources.

Many of us have personally, or know of someone who, has been involved in an accident as a result of someone running a red light. These types of collisions are extraordinarily dangerous as they often occur at high speeds and the mechanisms of injury result from extreme and unnatural forces on the human body, especially in the case of a T-bone type accident. Those of us who have experienced this or had a love one experience such an accident know the effect that they can have. Certainly, measures that increase driver’s safety and decrease traffic fatalities need to continue to be pursued. However, such methods cannot be undertaken at any cost to society or the individual drivers on the roads in Iowa today and as with all laws and safety precautions, a balance of drivers rights and safety must be achieved.

Burn Injuries- One of the Worst Injuries Stemming from a Car Accident

Recently, near Garnavillo, Iowa, 3 people died in a fire after a car ran off the road on Sunday afternoon. Tragically, those who lose their life included two children and an adult. Two other adults escaped but were also burned badly in the accident. For the KCCI story, click here. Of the multitude of injuries that can be sustained in car accident burn injuries have the potential to be the worst given the potential for pain, necessity for prolonged care, scarring and disfigurement.

Burn injuries are often catastrophic whether or not they result in death. The pain involved with such an injury is extraordinary. This is because burns affect so many parts and functions of the body including skin, muscles, nerves, bones, the circulatory system and the respiratory system. Further, this type of injury often has a lifelong effect on the victim given the likelihood of scarring and disfigurement associated with severe burns. Treatments include everything from topical ointments to scar revisions therapy and skin grafts. The psychological effects of a burn can also be severe and require therapeutic intervention.

There are many burns that can occur in a car accident. These include thermal burns, chemical burns, and electrical burns. Other burns, such as light and radiation are not as common place in an automobile accident. The most common type of burn is a first degree burn which is also the least severe. First degree burns generally involve only the top layer of skin and can cause pain, discoloration and swelling. Second degree burns penetrate deeper and involve the second layer of skin as well. Such burns are sometimes accompanied by blisters in addition to the above effects. Third degree burns are the most severe and require the most treatment and prolonged care. Such burns can result in permanent disfigurement or even death if severe enough or not treated. If you suspect you may have suffered from such an injury following an accident, even if you are not sure, seek immediate medical attention. For further information on initial treatment of burns click here. Sometimes following an accident an individual can be disoriented or in shock and not realize that they have been burned, or burned as severely as they are. Further, immediate treatment is the best way to ensure that the effects of a burn are minimized.

According to the American Burn Association in their 2011 fact sheet, nearly 450,000 patients were treated for burns last year. Of those, 3,500 resulted in death. 45,000 required hospitalization for acute burn care.

Along for the Ride - Who is responsible for a passenger's injuries in a car accident?

The driver of a vehicle is oftentimes not the only one injured in a car accident. In fact, in many instances, a passenger is hurt worse than the driver. Situations like these often cause Iowans to wonder if and against whom a claim can be made given that he or she was not even driving. The answer, while not the same in every situation, is that the passenger sometimes has an even greater ability to recover than does a driver. To begin with a driver who causes an accident is responsible to those who may be injured as a result of his negligence. This extends not only to other drivers but to any passengers of another car that is involved in the accident. Criminal charges were recently filed against a man that is alleged to have caused an accident with a van driven by the Dejoode family from Ankeny. Tragically, two of the children Carson, 5, and his sister Claire, 5 months were killed. The mother, Heather and her other son Chase were severely hurt. For more the KCCI story on the charges filed as a result, click here. In this case, if the alleged driver, Kevin Dalasta of Ankeny, is found to be civilly liable, he will not only be responsible for the injuries caused to the driver, Heather, but to the injuries and deaths of the 3 children as well. However, civil liability for causing an accident does not stop at those injured in other vehicles. In fact a negligent driver is generally responsible for injuries sustained by all who were hurt, including those in his own car as well. So if Mr. Dalasta were to be found responsible for the wreck and he had two passengers of his own that were injured, he would also generally be responsible for those injuries as well. There do exist some exceptions to passenger injury claims as well as some interesting and sometimes unforeseen applications. First, if the injured passenger that is riding with a negligent driver is a family member, that family member is often (but not always) excluded by the insurance policy. This makes some sense too because, as many believe, it would be against public policy for, say, a wife to file a lawsuit against her husband to compel their auto insurance company to pay for injuries sustained due to her husband’s negligence. This exclusion oftentimes only applies to immediate family members though. Further, it can have some odd results such as if a family member is severely injured in an accident while a driver’s friend walks away with just scratches. The severe injuries may not be covered while the minor abrasions of the friend may indeed be. However, when a family exclusion clause applies, this may result in uninsured or underinsured insurance policies may apply to provide some compensation that otherwise would not be covered. Also, passengers oftentimes have a better legal ability to secure compensation for their injuries as the questions of who is at fault does not necessarily make a difference regarding whether or not the passenger will be compensated. This is because the concept of comparative fault does not apply to passengers unless they specifically engage in conduct that may have contributed to the accident. For example, if Driver A with Passenger P gets into an accident with Driver B and both A and P are injured, the responsible party is generally responsible for those injuries. If A and P believe the responsible party to be B, they can both make a claim against B. However, if B claims it is primarily A’s fault and that turns out to be correct, A would generally be precluded from getting compensation. This would not be the case for P though as A, or more likely, his insurance, would then be responsible for P’s injuries. In this way, a Passenger is often in better position to make a claim because no matter who is at ultimately fault they are owed compensation given that they could not have been to blame, they were just “along for the ride.” The dynamics of a potential claim against a driver can place a passenger in the uncomfortable position of being forced to make a claim against a friend or someone close to you. However, in most cases, the passenger is merely proceeding against her friend’s insurance company, not the friend’s personal money or assets. In fact this is what we have insurance for and if it is there for strangers should it also not be there to protect friends as well? As you can see there can be many unforeseen implications of a passenger being injured in a car accident. However, very often, the passenger can be in a better position to recover than a driver given that a passenger can rarely be attributed fault. Regardless, even if you are just along for the ride, you have rights too and it is important to be aware of them.

Keep on Trucking

It just might be illegal- Obligations of semis an other Commercial Vehicles in extreme weather conditions. With the recent severe weather we have been having, Iowans have seen a significant increase in the number of Semi truck accidents throughout the Des Moines metropolitan area as well as statewide. While the conditions alone can make driving perilous during winter storms, the presence of semis and other big commercial carriers can make the roads all the more dangerous. This has been illustrated by the numerous crashes involving at least one semi over the past month in the Des Moines area alone. For example, on January 7th, two semis collided on Interstate 80 although fortunately no one was killed. Everyone was not as fortunate when, on January 11th, tragedy struck when a man was killed after a semi lost control and stopped in the median resulting in a crash with an oncoming motorist. These accidents along with many others, highlight the dangerous combination of semis and poor road conditions. Semis, while integral to interstate commerce in general, pose a greater danger to other drivers given their sheer size and weight. Also, if a truck driver begins to lose control of his or her vehicle in wintry conditions, the likelihood of regaining control without an accident is much lower than in a regular passenger car. Lastly, injuries in collision with semis are often much more severe and often result in serious injuries, if not fatalities. Given these inherent dangers then, Iowans often ask if semi trucks are held to a higher standard or have certain rules they must follow in addition to their regular rules of the road, especially in treacherous weather conditions. The answer, in fact, is yes. The federal government regulates the safe operation of commercial vehicles. In addition, to applicable state laws, a semi truck must also comply with all federal rules and regulations to ensure the safety of fellow drivers. In particular, Federal Motor Carrier Regulation § 392.14 regulates the operation of commercial vehicles in during hazardous road conditions. That federal law provides: Driving of vehicles §392.14 Hazardous conditions; extreme caution. Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured. As you are likely aware, motorists are required to operate their vehicle in a manner in which they do not unreasonably endanger others. Correspondingly, if another motorist is negligent in the operation of his vehicle and you are injured as a result, that motorist, or more likely his insurance, will be responsible for paying for any injuries and damages you have incurred as a result of that negligence. Negligence can be proven either by a person operating their vehicle in a manner inconsistent with what an ordinary, reasonable and prudent person would do, but also by a violation of the law, commonly referred to as the "rules of the road." As is set forth in the federal regulation above, truck drivers are required to stop operation of their vehicles in circumstances where the weather or road conditions become sufficiently dangerous. This is an obligation that is placed upon them by federal law in addition to those that otherwise govern the operation of motor vehicles. Accordingly, even if a truck driver is doing everything else right, the mere fact that he continues to drive during a snow storm may be a violation of the law. Therefore, the mere fact that a semi continues down the interstate on a snowy day may in and of itself make a trucking company liable for injuries sustained in an accident with their vehicle. So if you have ever wondered: “What in the world was that semi doing on the road in those conditions?” The answer may well have been, breaking the law.

How much time does a person have to seek medical treatment?

A common question by those injured in car accidents is: "how much time does a person have to seek medical treatment following a car accident?"

The short answer is that there is no certain time frame within which Iowa law requires an accident victim to seek medical treatment. Theoretically, a person could be hit by a car, not go to the doctor for a year, and the insurance company would still be responsible for your medical bills and other damages. However, there are time frames within which claims have to be filed.

Generally a person has two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. So while there is not technically a period within which a person must seek treatment, if an individual discovered an injury after two years, the claim would be denied outright by the insurance company and could not be filed. Luckily, it would be highly unlikely that symptoms from an injury would start to be noticed more than two years after an accident. Regardless, it is certainly advisable to seek medical attention as soon as is practical following an accident.

The most important reason to promptly seek medical attention following an injury is obviously for the person's health. Many injuries require immediate attention to minimize the pain and effects on the body. In certain circumstances, injuries can become life threatening if not treated immediately. Also, in the worst scenarios, a person, often one that is in shock, simply does not realize the severity of an injury. For these reasons, it is advisable to be checked out by a physician following an accident even if the person thinks they are not seriously hurt.

Another effect of delaying treatment is an insurance company’s treatment of medical expenses. If another driver causes an accident that results in injuries, that driver’s insurance company is generally responsible for the injured individual's medical expenses and other damages. However, the longer the time period between the accident and the treatment, the more likely the insurance company will resist or at least delay paying for treatment. Insurance companies often try many tactics to avoid paying an injured party. One is to claim that the injury was not related to the accident. This claim is difficult to make if the treatment was received immediately following the accident. However, if there is no treatment for say, six months, it is much more likely that an insurance company tries to relate the symptoms to another cause such as work, exercising, or another factor. This is yet another reason to seek medical treatment sooner rather than later.

In summary, if you are in an accident, it is always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor to be safe. Even if time has gone by since the accident, if a problem arises, definitely seek medical attention. While a delay can complicate the claims process, it definitely does not does not preclude recovery. Lastly, once you are aware of a problem, do not delay. This can hurt you and your recovery and your health is paramount regardless of whether or not a claim is ever necessary.

Helpful Information: Iowa Statute of Limitations Lost Wages Financials & Accidents Insurance Claims Claims Against Estates How long does a lawsuit take? Notify Insurance Company Accident Checklist

Apportionment of Fault When Injuries Are Enhanced Due To Defective Products

What happens when a victim of a car accident suffers a more serious injury because the airbag did not deploy or the vehicle was otherwise defective?

That is the question that the Iowa Supreme Court was asked to decide in the case of Jahn v. Hyundai Motor Company, decided this morning.

While the path by which the Iowa Supreme Court answered the question is full of complex legal analysis and considerations, the answer is quite simple.

If the enhanced injury can sufficiently be separated and attributed to each particular defendant (if it is "divisible") than the manufacturer of the vehicle is only liable for the amount of damages resulting from the enhanced injury proximately caused by the vehicle defect. If the enhanced injury is not divisible but the plaintiff can establish that an enhanced injury did indeed occur due to a design defect, it is for the jury to apportion fault between the applicable defendants. If one defendant is determined to be more than 50% at fault than that defendant will be considered jointly and severally liable for the full extent of the damages.

The true meaning of this case is best described by way of an example.

Assume that a plaintiff is injured through no fault of his own, in a motor vehicle accident wherein the air bag did not deploy. The plaintiff sues both the defendant driver and the manufacturer of the vehicle he was driving. The accident is such that had the airbags been functioning properly they would have deployed and the plaintiff would not have been as severely injured. It cannot be particularly established how much more damage was caused by failure of the airbag to deploy but it is proven that the plaintiff suffered a more severe injury as a result. The entire issue of liability and damages goes to the jury and it is the jury's duty to apportion the percentage of fault attributable to each particular defendant.

In these situations each defendant will be responsible and liable to pay for the percentage of damages attributed to that particular defendant. However, if one defendant is found to be more than 50% at fault, they can be held responsible for the full amount of damages in the event that the other defendant has already settled or is unable to pay their share. This is most important in serious injury accidents where one defendant has settled already and the case proceeds to trial against the one single defendant.

If, for example, the plaintiff settles with the at fault defendant who was driving the other vehicle, say for the insurance policy limits of $100,000, but the total amount of damages are determined to be $1 Million dollars, if the manufacturer of the defective vehicle is determined to be more than 50% at fault, they will be responsible for the remaining $900,000.00. If they were less than 50% at fault they would simply have to pay their percentage of the damages.

This ruling is sensible and follows the majority of most other States and adopts the Restatement 2nd of Torts position on this issue. It ensures that plaintiffs will be fully compensated and fault will be fairly attributed to each potential responsible party.

Helpful Relative Information: Opinion: http://www.iowacourts.gov/Supreme_Court/Recent_Opinions/20091009/07-1595.pdf Damages Who can sue for injuries? What can be recovered in a lawsuit? Insurance Company Claims

Compensation for Injuries to Pregnant Women and unborn children in Auto accidents

Recently as you may have heard about in the news, a Des Moines woman who was pregnant was injured when her minivan was struck and flipped onto its top just off of Southeast 14th. Luckily, her injuries turned out to be relatively minor and her unborn child was not, as of the last report, seriously affected. However, this incident serves as an opportunity to discuss the unique scenario that is presented when a pregnant woman suffers injuries as a result of an automobile accident.

To begin with, an Iowan who is injured by the negligence of another driver in Iowa is entitled to compensation for all injuries that are directly caused by that driver's negligence. An Iowan who commits a negligent act must reap the consequences regardless of the condition of the victim prior to the collision. In other words, generally speaking, merely because a certain person may be more prone to suffering injuries does not alleviate the responsibility of the person who caused those injuries. Accordingly, if a mother was injured and her pregnancy was directly affected as a result of an automobile or truck accident, that mother can recover for all medical bills and other damages incurred that can be directly related to the accident. The negligent driver cannot say "well its not my fault she was pregnant." To the contrary, its not the pregnant woman's fault that you were negligent!

However, the analysis does not end there. It is the case that a wrongful death action is generally not allowed in Iowa for the death of an unborn child or fetus. However, certain additional damages may be available to parents of an unborn child that is injured or killed in an automobile, motorcycle, or truck accident. Damages for the effects on a parent's relationship with a child injured or killed in the womb ARE in fact recoverable by the parents in Iowa generally, depending on the circumstances of the case. So regardless of what the claim is called, if you or a loved one has an unborn child injured in a car accident, you are likely going to be entitled to additional recovery. This is the perfect example of the necessity of consulting with an attorney that has experience litigating car accident cases. It is imperative that the attorney recognize all potential claims arising from any given accident as well as every potential claimant.

See also: Who can recover for losses; What can be recovered; What if you are partially to blame; Wrongful death accidents; Child Injury In Accident

This post is not meant to be an exhaustive review of every potential type of recovery available to a pregnant woman. If you or a friend or family member is pregnant and have been injured or had your pregnancy affected in a car wreck, please contact an experienced automobile accident attorney such as those at GRLLaw.

Tis the season...

...to get on your bikes and ride!

It is that time of year where the weather is turning nice and Iowa motorcyclists are hitting the streets . With that in mind IowaCarAccident.com is reminding Iowa riders of some tips to ensure the safe enjoyment of their bikes all season.

To begin with, make sure that you motorcycle is in proper working order prior to taking it our, especially if its the first time before you ride for the season. Wheels and tires are one of the most important checks you can complete on a bike. As the old adage goes, lose the tire, lose the bike. Accordingly, ensure that the tires are properly inflated. Also, make sure that the tread depth and wear are appropriate and the tires do not need to be replaced. With respect to the wheels, make sure there are no cracks, dents, or missing or broken spokes or mags. Its also important to make sure that all levers, pedals, hoses and cables are properly attached with no leaking or obvious defect. Ensure that your horn is intact and working well. The head lamp must be in working order as well. when looking at your headlamp, be sure to check the bright and dim functions as well as the angle. Also, don't forget about your taillight and brake lights. You will want to ensure that all mirrors and turning signals are a good and working order.

Lastly, check all fluid levels and the oil to ensure proper condition and levels. Remember, these are just some highlights and make sure to refer to your owners manual for a complete list of checks to be performed, especially at the start of the season.

Now that your bike is ready to go, make sure that you are.

Proper dress not only adds to your comfort but, in the event of an accident, can be the difference between life and death. Accordingly, make sure to wear a quality helmet and eye protection. Wear long leather or other think protective clothing, in bright easily seen colors if possible. Also, wear boots and leather gloves. Remember, the only thing between you and the road is the bike and your protective gear. Once you're ready to get out, use proper strategies to protect yourself against inattentive or bad drivers.

First and foremost, ensure other divers are aware of you. You should always comply with state laws, but many bikers will swear that loud pipes save lives! As long as its legal, it can't hurt. Never drive in a car or trucks blind spot. Some people don't even see cars in their blind spots much less vehicles. Don't be afraid to use your horn if you have to. Lastly, if a car is following too closely for the conditions, flash your brakes well before slowing or stopping.

Lastly, ride as if you are invisible. Because to some drivers you are. Give more space and distance than you would in your car in similar conditions. Be more aware of motorists exiting and entering the roadway and always give your self plenty of time to stop or maneuver evasively should a driver not see you.

Remember, no matter whose fault it is, in an accident, the motorcyclist always loses. Be prepared, ride safe, and have a great summer on the road!

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful….

It’s that time of year again. Even though the calendar doesn’t say that its winter yet, the weather certainly does. And with the increase in bad weather comes the yearly increase in car accidents. Given that it is that time of year again, we at Iowa Car Accident.com felt that it is a good time of year to for some winter driving tips and tactics.

First, make sure you car is prepared for winter driving. To ensure that your car is in its best condition to handle the conditions, make sure of the following:

1. Your tires are in good shape- For those cars without four wheel drive and especially those with rear wheel drive, it is advisable to have winter tires. It is amazing the difference in handling those tires can have on snow and ice. At a bare minimum, ensure that your tires have plenty of tread left and are appropriately inflated per the manual
2. Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and working properly. They are the most important device when ensuring your visibility on the road.
3. Your antifreeze, wiper fluid, and other levels- Make sure that you have clean and sufficient amounts of fluid levels including antifreeze, wiper fluid, oil and gas at all times
4. Brakes- ensuring that your brakes pads, rotors, brake fluid and parking brake are all up to snuff is very important given that stopping on snow and ice is one of the most important capabilities that will help you avoid car accidents this winter.
5. Battery and distributor- Making sure your car starts in the first place is an often over-looked safety matter. Nothing is worse than getting to your car in the dark, cold, snow and ice and having it not start.
6. Other systems and checks- Having a general inspection done of your vehicle is advisable as well. Making sure that all wiring, hoses, belts, valves, filters and other systems and components are in good working conditions will also ensure that your car is in the best shape for winter driving.

Second, make sure you have the necessary supplies and equipment in case a problem does occur.

1. A spare tire with the correct air pressure is a must. Also make sure you have a jack, wrench and other necessary equipment for changing a tire.
2. Mobile or car phone- In years past a car phone or cell phone was a luxury few of us could afford. It has now become a safety necessity. Even if you don’t carry a car or mobile phone, very cheap phones are available with very cheap plans that can be activated only during the winter are available solely for emergency use. Don’t get stranded on a desolate stretch of road in a blizzard without one.
3. Ice scraper- you always need an ice scraper!
4. Jumper cables- once again a must-have in case you forgot to replace the old battery or, as can happen, the new one quits on you.
5. Shovel- if you get stuck, a shovel can help you dig to hopefully be able to get traction,
6. Salt, sand, or traction agent- it is also helpful if your have some additional traction assistance mechanism or ability to gain traction should you get stuck
7. Sand bags or other weight on the back tires if necessary.
8. Blankets- If you are to get stranded, it’s extremely important to be able to stay warm.
9. Flashlight with new batteries.

If you can, stay home! In the worst weather, it is advisable, if you can avoid it, to wait until the conditions are better. Also, drive during the day time if possible.

If you must go out, listen to driving reports. Avoid auto accidents and the areas with the highest probability of congestion.

Make sure your car windows, mirrors and lights are free of snow and ice build-up and fog before you leave. It may take a few extra minutes but it will be well worth it.

Okay, so your car is prepared and you have to get out and drive (I mean, the boss isn’t canceling work? Jerk…) Most importantly, leave yourself much more time to get where you are going. As a corollary, make sure you drive much slower as well. Speed is one of the biggest problems on the roadways, especially during bad weather. If something goes wrong in front of you, you need to be able to get stopped. In wintery conditions, one cannot count on speed limits as an indicator of appropriate speed. Also, using lower gears will help keep the car at a reasonable speed and correspondingly help with traction. However, avoid abrupt gear changes as they can lead to skidding.

Proper use of brakes- If you have anti-lock brakes, you will often feel then begin to pulsate. If you notice them doing so, DO NOT let off the brakes. This is how anti-lock brakes are designed and you need to continue to apply pressure appropriate to slow the vehicle. Simply brake as you would normally, in other words, hard enough for the given conditions. On the other hand, if you do not have anti-lock brakes and they begin to lock up, it is advisable to ease off to avoid sliding. Brakes work better if the wheels are not sliding across the contact area and in a vehicle without anti-lock brakes, that sometimes needs to be done manually.

Be especially careful if the road composition changes or if you drive over a bridge or an overpass. Such places increase the likelihood of the automobile sliding and, accordingly, avoid significant turns or corrections until at you reach a safer area on the roadway.

Use you lights to ensure the best visibility and to ensure that other drivers see you.

Avoid distractions such as talking or texting on a mobile phone, eating, doing makeup, or even the radio or in-depth conversations. The more attention you pay to your driving the better off you will be.

Possibly most importantly, and even more important than normally because of the significantly increased risk of an accident, always make sure you and your passengers use their seatbelts!!

Driving during the winter time is not the best, but with a few precautions including the ones mentioned here, you will be most likely to arrive at your destination safe and sound. If you are in an accident make sure you contact law enforcement and get any injured individuals, including yourself, immediate treatment. For a complete discussion of all steps to take following and auto accident, please click here: Accident Checklist

And remember to check the IowaCarAccident.com blog regularly for more on driving and accidents in Iowa.

IowaCarAccident.com Launches

IowaCarAccident.com is a new destination point on the world wide web offering vitally important information to Iowans that have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in the state of Iowa. The most informative injury and law library on the net includes:

• 10 critical things to do at the scene of any car, truck, bus, train accident
• Law Library - you definitely want to read this!
• Legal & insurance terms & phrases
• Facts about insurance companies & claims
• Common head injuries from accidents
• Symptoms of a brain injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Whiplash
• Sprained Neck
• Cervical sprains
• Damage to the central nervous system
• Closed head injuries
• Open head injuries
• Brain injury recovery & treatment
• Serious accidents - serious injuries
• Effects of serious accidents on family members
• About the Des Moines Iowa Car Accident Attorneys
• Negligence injury claims
• Medical malpractice
• Reckless driving
• Wrongful death accidents
• Notifying your insurance company of an accident
• The anatomy of the brain
• Skeleton - a skeletal view
• Who can file a lawsuit?
• What can be recovered in a lawsuit?
• Wages - recovery of lost wages
• Financial management after an accident
• How are awards paid?
• Taxes on awards & settlements
• Types of insurance
• Insurance companies & claims
• Statutes of limitations - how long do you have to sue for damages?
• Timeline of lawsuits
• Who is responsible?
• Who is liable?
• How do negligent acts get looked at?
• What evidence will be considered?
• What is the discovery of evidence process?
• How are lost wages calculated?
• Will I get unemployment?
• Truth & honesty in court proceedings
• When should I hire an accident attorney?
• What is the difference between a civil & criminal attorney?
• Do I need a criminal lawyer?
• What does a personal injury lawyer do?
• Do I need a trial lawyer? If so, why do I need a trial attorney?
• What should I have done at the accident scene?

Each of those topics are covered in great detail, and more topics will be added as we hear from our clients regarding the things that they want to learn about from our website. As always, the disclaimer reads - no website or BLOG can replace a consultation with an attorney who can then ask questions and provide you with sound advice that you can act upon.

If you have been in an accident in the state of Iowa or lost someone dear to you, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm for a professional assessment of your accident case. The initial consultation is free and without obligation.