Do I Have a Case If the Accident Was Partly My Fault in West Des Moines or Anywhere in Iowa?
7016408197 • February 9, 2026
Do I Have a Case If the Accident Was Partly My Fault in West Des Moines or Anywhere in Iowa?
After an accident, many injured people hesitate to call a lawyer because they believe they were “partly to blame.” It’s one of the most common questions we hear:
“Can I still get compensation if the accident was my fault in Iowa?”
The short answer: Yes — you may still have a case.
And in many situations, injured Iowans recover significant compensation even when they share some responsibility.
Iowa Uses Comparative Fault — Not an All-or-Nothing Rule
Iowa follows a legal rule called comparative fault. This means fault can be shared between multiple parties, including you.
Under Iowa law:
- You can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages
Example:
If your case is worth $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you could still recover $80,000.
Common Situations Where Fault Is Shared
Many injury cases are not black and white. Fault is often divided in situations like:
- Rear-end collisions involving sudden stops
- Intersection crashes where both drivers made mistakes
- Slips and falls where a hazard existed but footwear or distractions are questioned
- Multi-vehicle crashes on Iowa highways
- Workplace injuries involving unsafe conditions and employee actions
Insurance companies love these situations — because shared fault gives them a reason to reduce or deny claims.
Why You Should Never Assume You’re “At Fault”
Insurance adjusters may quickly suggest that you caused the accident or share significant blame. That’s not accidental — it’s strategic.
What matters is:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Video footage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction
- Iowa case law
What you say immediately after an accident can be used against you later. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of fault.
How Injury Attorneys Protect Your Right to Compensation
Experienced injury attorneys know how to:
- Push back against exaggerated fault claims
- Preserve and analyze evidence early
- Challenge insurance company assumptions
- Ensure fault is assigned fairly under Iowa law
At LLDDC Law, we represent only the injured — never insurance companies. Our role is to protect your credibility and fight for every dollar you’re entitled to under the law.
Talk to West Des Moines Injury Attorneys Before Deciding You Don’t Have a Case
If you were injured and believe you may be partly at fault, don’t disqualify yourself before getting answers.
Fault in Iowa is rarely as simple as insurance companies claim. LLDDC Law offers a free consolation and no fee unless we win, contact us
today!
Who pays medical bills after a work injury in West Des Moines, IA? Learn how Iowa workers' compensation covers medical treatment, doctor visits, therapy, prescriptions, and what to do if care is denied.
Wondering what your personal injury case is worth after an accident in Des Moines? Learn how medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering impact your claim. Free consultations.
Learn how Industrial Disability is determined in Iowa workers’ compensation cases and why impairment ratings are only one part of the process.
Injured kids after a one-car accident? Learn how Iowa law works, what insurance covers, and your options. Free consultation in Ankeny and throughout Iowa.
Can you afford a workers’ comp attorney in Ankeny or Iowa? Learn about contingency fees, free consultations, and your options after a work injury.
What happens if you talk to insurance without a lawyer? Ankeny personal injury lawyers explain why early legal advice protects your claim.
Can your employer fire you for getting hurt at work? Des Moines workers’ compensation attorneys explain Iowa retaliation laws and your rights.
After a slip or fall, reporting the injury immediately protects evidence and your claim. Learn why from a Des Moines personal injury attorney.
Facing conflicting return-to-work opinions after a job injury? Urbandale, IA workers’ comp attorneys explain whose doctor carries more weight and your legal options.
Are personal injury or workers’ compensation settlements taxable? Learn what parts are usually tax-free, possible exceptions, and when to seek guidance. Free consult with LLDDC Law.
Share On: