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. Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake & Conklin LLP offers a free consolation and no fee unless we win, contact us today!