James Law Firm

Proudly Representing Iowans Everyday

  • Attorneys
    • Frederick W. James
  • Personal Injury Attorney
    • Car Crashes Resulting in Injury
      • What to do in a Car Crash Causing Injury
    • Product Liability Causing Injuries
    • Injuries Due to Slip and Falls
    • What is My Case Worth – Settlement
    • Personal Injury – FAQ
  • Medical Malpractice Attorney
    • Liability
    • Legal Considerations
    • Informed Consent
    • Prescription Medication
    • Malpractice – FAQ
  • Birth Injury Attorney
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Shoulder Dystocia
  • Wrongful Death Attorney
    • Categories
    • Compensation
    • Children and the Elderly
    • Expert Testimony
    • Why Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney
    • Wrongful Death – FAQ

Aug 15 2018

What To Do When Hit by an Uninsured Motorist or After a Hit-and-Run

Contact the James Law Firm and work with attorney Fred James. If you've been hit by a uninsured motorist or involved in a hit and run then you may need a lawyer.

Being involved in a car crash is a traumatic experience – both psychologically and financially. You’re left with the task of managing property damage, injuries, medical costs, and sometimes even lost wages. And that’s when the other driver is carrying insurance. It gets even worse when the other driver is underinsured, uninsured, or the most feared – a hit and run.

Hit–and–Runs Are on The Rise in The United States

“Deaths from hit-and-run crashes in the United States are now at an all-time high – 62% increase in 7 years – according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.” Source: ABC News

It’s illegal to flee the scene after being in an accident. However, some drivers fear the consequences of stopping, like a DUI arrest or a citation for driving without proof of insurance. It’s scary to note that 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured across the U.S., according to a 2017 study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). Source: Insurance Information Institute

If you’re hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance or who leaves the scene, make sure to call the police right away. They can launch a criminal investigation to find the at-fault driver and will create a police report for your insurance company. Gathering the following information will make it easier for the police to find the other driver:

  • Provide details about the car: color, approximate year, model, make, license plate number
  • Look around for witnesses and ask for their contact information
  • Write down the time and location of the accident and the direction the driver was headed
  • Take pictures of the scene, especially pictures of your car and the damage

You’re probably wondering where this leaves you – especially if you’re injured and your car is totaled. Usually the at-fault driver’s insurance company would take care of the damages, but in this case – when there isn’t another insurance company involved – it can feel like you’re left on your own. But don’t worry, even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance you’re not alone.

You Are Not Alone

After calling the police, make sure to call your insurance company right away (have photos ready for them, too). You should be able to make a claim directly to your own insurance company under an uninsured motorists provision. Talk to your insurance company about your policy and make sure you have this provision. If dealing with your insurance company proves to be difficult (this can happen when the at-fault driver is at large) then contact the James Law Firm right away for a free consultation.

We are also here for you if the unthinkable happens and your loved one passed away due to a hit-and-run car crash. You will need compensation for additional damages including funeral costs, lost future income, and more. We want to make sure you don’t go through this on your own.

Call The James Law Firm

The James Law Firm has the experience, compassion, and knowledge needed to tackle even the most complex car collision cases. If you’re a victim of a motor vehicle accident and have been injured anywhere in Iowa, don’t hesitate to call us today at 515-246-8484. We represent clients in Des Moines, Davenport/Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Sioux City, Council Bluffs and more. We will travel to help you!

Written by Ashley · Categorized: Car Accident, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death · Tagged: car accident, car accident injury, car crash, car crash attorney, car crash death, car crash injury, car crash lawyer, hit and run, personal injury attorney, Personal Injury Lawyer, under insured motorist, uninsured motorist

Mar 14 2018

Car Accidents – What to Do Within the First 15 Minutes

There’s a Car Crash Every 10 Seconds

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), someone in the United States is involved in a car crash every 10 seconds. Of those car accidents, 6% result in a fatality, 27% result in a non-fatal injury, and 72% result in property damage. (Source: DriverKnowledge.com)

Most of the time, car collisions are viewed in terms of personal safety and vehicle damages. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s also a financial transaction between you, the other driver, and insurance companies. This means you need to be prepared so you can protect your assets.

If you or a loved one is injured during a vehicle accident that is not your fault, then we recommend you contact us right away for a free consultation. A Personal Injury Attorney can help you navigate the process and assist you in the recovery of your losses.

car accident car crash car collision personal injury lawyer attorney fred james des moines iowa

After a Car Accident: The First 15 Minutes

1. Stop Your Car

If you are involved in a car crash, STOP your car. Move it to the side of the roadway, ONLY, if you can do so safely. Don’t forget to turn on your hazard/ emergency lights.

Stay in your car unless you can get out safely. Check on others. Do not apologize or admit fault. This could be used against you down the road.

2. Call the Police

Always call the police, regardless of the damages. Calling the police helps you bring in a neutral third party to document the accident and can even help speed up the claims process with your insurance adjuster.

Even if you and the other driver agree that you and your vehicles are ok, both have insurance, the other driver was very polite, you still want to file a police report. You’d be surprised at how many times the other party comes back with a different story and suddenly it’s your word against the other driver’s.

A police report helps to prevent the other party from changing his story. It will show who appeared to be injured, what the extent of the damage to each vehicle was, and who appeared to be at fault.

3. Take Photos

Take lots of photos (only if you are able to do so safely) of your car, of the other vehicle and the surrounding area. Take photos of the debris on the roadway. The photos you take can help you down the road when the other insurance company questions your story.

If you can find eyewitnesses, collect their contact information to give to the police and to your insurance company.

4. Collect the Driver’s Info

Get the other driver’s contact information, insurance information and vehicle information. Even if the police are there, collect the information for yourself, too.

5. Call the Insurance Company

Once you’re finished speaking with the police officer and collecting the other driver’s information, it’s important to call your insurance company to let them know what happened. They’ll ask about the police report and the other driver’s insurance.

After you call the police, take pictures, and call your insurance company then put your phone away. Don’t post about the accident on social media. Even posting “Thankfully I’m ok” is something the defense insurance company and their lawyers will seize on to minimize or defeat your claim.

6. Go to the Hospital, If Needed

It is vitally important to have a medical provider document your injuries. If you are injured please seek medical care and treatment right away. Do not delay. Follow your medical providers advice and attend any follow up appointment.

7. Call The James Law Firm

If you’re a victim of a motor vehicle accident and have been injured anywhere in Iowa, don’t hesitate to call us today at 515-246-8484. We represent clients in Des Moines, Davenport/Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Sioux City, Council Bluffs and more. We will travel to help you!

Written by Ashley · Categorized: Car Accident · Tagged: attorney, car accident, car accident injury, car collision, car crash, lawyer, Personal Injury, vehicle accident, vehicle collision, vehicle crash

  • About Us
  • Our People
  • Community
  • JLF News
  • Legal Resources
  • Contact Us
Call for a Free Consultation: 515-246-8484

The James Law Firm, P.C. © 2019

2600 Grand Avenue

Suite 213

Des Moines, IA 50312

Website Publishing and Management by Empowerment Solutions, LLC