Pedestrian Accident Claims in Iowa

Where traffic signals are not in place or not working, drivers must yield, slowing or stopping if needed, to a pedestrian or bicycle rider crossing within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; a violation is a simple misdemeanor. A pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield to all vehicles (cities may restrict such crossings by ordinance), and where signals operate at a place that is not an intersection, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk. Every driver must still exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian and use due care around children and confused or incapacitated people; pedestrians walking along a highway must walk on the left side.

Modified comparative fault (51% bar). An injured person's own fault does not bar recovery unless it is greater than the combined fault of the defendants, third-party defendants and released persons; damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault.

Drivers must have financial liability coverage in effect. The minimum amounts are $20,000 for injury or death of one person, $40,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage (20/40/15).

A lawsuit founded on injuries to the person (or reputation), whether based on contract or tort, must be filed within two years after the claim accrues.