Iowa personal injury law: the basics
Iowa statutes online
This is where you’ll find Iowa's laws. The website has details about how long you have to bring a case, damage caps on personal injury cases, and other important information that you will need.
To read:
Iowa's car accident statutes of limitation
In Iowa, you have two years to bring a personal injury claim and five years for a property damage claim. That doesn't mean the whole personal injury lawsuit has to be completed in just two years; it just needs to be filed with the court before that time is up.
To read:
Accidents & injuries in Iowa
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Accident worksheets
Your First Meeting with an Attorney
A worksheet to prepare for your first meeting with a personal injury attorney – what to bring, what they'll ask
Download in PDF format
Documents & Evidence Checklist
Checklist of 30 items to help you prepare for making a personal injury or accident claim
Download in PDF format
Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet
Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case
Download in PDF format
Damages/Expenses Worksheet
Damages worksheet to track expenses for your injury claim (medical treatment, property damage, lost wages, prescriptions)
Download in PDF format
Post-Accident Journal Form
Sample accident journal/diary to help you document the effect on your daily life
Download in PDF format
Accident Report Form
Sample post-accident report form to keep in your glove box - fill out at the scene or as soon as you can after a car accident
Download in PDF format
Hiring a lawyer in Iowa
The first meeting with a personal injury attorney is normally free of charge. (Note that other legal specialties, such as real estate law or tax law, are different.) After that, lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that they will receive a third of the eventual reward or settlement, plus whatever office expenses they incurred.
If your case ends up going to trial, the percentage could rise to 40% of the eventual reward or judgment. These numbers aren't set by law, so don't be surprised if your lawyer suggests something else.
Want to hire a lawyer and need some help?
Check out some of our best articles:
Personal injury law basics
What is personal injury? Common questions answered. Accident & personal injury case/claim basics: read about money, insurance, liability, negligence, timing, lawsuit, settlements. Read more
Read our complete guide to finding the right injury attorney for your case. Read insights from Enjuris attorneys and lawyers across the USA on when and why you need to hire a car accident attorney. Learn more
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Law libraries in Iowa
There are lots of issues you can solve without the help of a lawyer, surprisingly enough. If you don't know where to start, a law librarian can help you. They are usually legally trained, and they can help you both with texts or online research engines like LexisNexis or Westlaw.
- State Library of Iowa: Home
- University of Iowa: Law Library
- Drake University: Law Library
- The Iowa Legislature: Law Library