Ames Truck Accident Lawyer | Baer Law Office

Hurt in a Semi-Truck Crash in Ames? Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review

At Baer Law Office, our Ames truck accident attorney fights aggressively to protect the rights of injured victims and their families. We have the experience to hold truck companies and commercial insurance companies accountable. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash, professional guidance and support is just a phone call away. When you need results, contact our Ames commercial truck accident attorney for a free, no obligation initial consultation.

What to Do After a Crash With a Large Commercial Truck in Ames, Iowa

The aftermath of a truck accident is stressful and confusing. Knowing what to do can help to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. Here are six steps to take after a collision in Ames:

Stop your vehicle and exchange information with the truck driver;
Report the crash to law enforcement, such as the Ames Police Department;
Seek prompt medical care for any physical injuries (emergencies first);
Document the truck crash, including taking pictures and getting witness names;
Notify your own insurance company that you were involved in a crash; and
Consult with an experienced Ames truck accident attorney.

Truck Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

A fully loaded tractor trailer in Ames can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Even a completely empty tractor trailer often clocks in above 30,000 pounds. Due to the immense size, large commercial trucks have the potential to be extremely dangerous. When a crash happens, the consequences can be devastating. Very serious injuries can happen. Some of the most common commercial truck accident injuries in Iowa include:

Lacerations;
Sprains and strains;
Whiplash;
Broken bones:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
Internal organ damages;
Spinal cord damage; and
Amputations.

An Overview of Truck Accident Liability in Iowa

Liability is a key issue in truck accident claims. Injured victims in Ames need to know how the law operates. Iowa follows a fault-based system for motor vehicle collisions, including commercial truck accidents. The truck driver, truck company, or party responsible for causing the crash must pay for damages. Liability is based on negligence—which is defined as the failure to take proper care. Some common examples of negligence that can lead to truck accidents include:

Undertrained truck drivers;
Speeding;
Distracted driving;
Fatigued driving;
Traffic violations;
Unsafe lane changes;
Overloaded trailers;
Poor truck maintenance; and
Truck manufacturer defects.

Iowa is a modified comparative negligence state (I.C.A. § 668.3(1)(b)). You may still be entitled to recover financial compensation even if you are partially at fault for your own truck accident. For example, imagine you suffered $100,000 in damages in a highway truck crash in the Ames area. If you were zero percent at fault for your crash, you could seek compensation for the full $100,000. However, if you are found to be 25 percent at fault, you would be liable for $25,000 of your own damages. Under the modified comparative negligence law in Iowa, there is a 51 percent prohibition on recovery. You cannot bring a claim if you are responsible for a majority of the blame.

Know the Deadline: Statute of Limitations

Truck accident injury claims are time-sensitive legal cases. Under Iowa law (I.C.A. § 614.1(2)), the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. The deadline only has very narrow exceptions. If you fail to file your case in a timely manner, you may not be able to recover financial compensation at all. Do not wait to get started: Consult with a top-rated Ames, IA truck accident lawyer right away after a serious collision.

We Fight for the Maximum Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Ames

A crash with a semi-truck can cause catastrophic, even life-altering injuries. It is imperative that truck accident victims in Ames are able to secure the full and fair financial compensation that they deserve after a bad collision. In Iowa, truck accident victims can pursue compensation for economic and intangible losses. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurers do not make that easy. Our Ames semi-truck accident lawyer can help. You may be entitled to receive compensation for:

Vehicle repairs;
Emergency medical treatment;
Hospital bills;
Long-term health care costs;
Lost wages and lost earnings;
Pain and suffering & mental distress;
Long-term physical disability; and
Wrongful death of a family member

How Our Ames Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

After a serious crash with a truck, you are likely feeling confused, stressed out, and unsure of what needs to come next. Personal injury claims are difficult—you do not have to take on the process alone. We are a proactive, results-driven law firm. Baer Law Office has won the best law firm award for 9 consecutive years. Our founder Kim Baer is a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate for injured victims. We encourage you to hear what our clients have to say and to reach out to us directly with specific questions. Along with other things, our Ames truck accident lawyer is ready to:

Listen to your story and answer questions about the truck accident claims process;
Investigate your truck accident in Ames—gathering the evidence to prove fault;
Handle the settlement negotiations with truck company insurance carriers; and
Fight tirelessly to help you get justice and the maximum possible financial compensation.

Contact Our Ames Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

At Baer Law Office, our Ames semi-truck accident attorney is standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. We are an award-winning law firm that is committed to results. If you or your loved one was hurt in a semi-truck accident, please call us at (515) 279-2000 or contact us online for a free consultation. We represent truck accident victims in Ames and throughout Story County, including in Nevada, Huxley, Story City, Roland, Gilbert, and Maxwell.