Iowa Accidents Today (2025)

FAQs

How do I look up an accident report in Iowa? ›

Iowa is one of the majority of states that has an "at-fault" (also known as a "tort") system for insurance claims. To file a successful claim or legal case, a driver must show fault on the part of the other driver.

The top causes are aggressive driving, drunk driving, distractions, drowsiness, and lack of seatbelts, prompting state campaigns to promote road safety awareness and reduce the rising deaths.

By the numbers: Vehicle-related deaths in Iowa increased more than 11% — rising from 338 in 2022 to 376 last year, according to the federal report.

You can get your report online here or in-person at the Iowa State Patrol District Office. Online reports will only be available for 15 days, and reports older than 15 days will be available at the Iowa State Patrol District Office for a fee of $4. You can access the list of District Offices and their locations here.

Contact Us. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call dispatch at (515) 283-4811 or visit our Frequently Called Numbers page. The Des Moines Police Department will work in partnership with our community to protect lives and property, and to enforce laws impartially.

If the other driver had no insurance or not enough insurance, your only chance of getting fair compensation after a car crash is through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. That means your own auto insurance company may be responsible for paying your accident-related losses.

Insurance companies in Iowa have 75 days to settle a claim after it is filed. Iowa insurance companies also have specific time frames in which they must acknowledge the claim and then decide whether to accept it, before paying out the final settlement.

Iowa's penalties for driving without proof of insurance

A $250 fine. Vehicle impoundment. 12-month license suspension for damages exceeding $1,500. Vehicle registration suspended.

States with the most car accidents

In 2020, the following states reported the highest numbers of fatal car accidents in the U.S.: California: 3,847 deaths out of 3,558 accidents. Texas: 3,874 deaths out of 3,520 accidents. Florida: 3,331 deaths out of 2,950 accidents.

Which drivers cause the most accidents? ›

Male vs Female Driving Statistics

According to statistical data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), male drivers were involved in a significantly higher number of passenger vehicle deaths compared to their female counterparts in 2021.

The study also drew upon data from the NHTSA's Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) and ranked each city and state by the number of car crashes per 100,000 people. In the highest spot is Memphis, Tennessee, which also topped ConsumerAffairs' 2023 list for the worst drivers in America.

Interstate 80

The highway consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous roads in the state of Iowa—an average of 19 deaths happen each year on this one road alone. Because Iowa is relatively flat and the highway is very straight, boredom and fatigue can quickly become an issue.

Drunk driving caused 13,384 deaths in 2021, or 31% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The announcement marks another historic increase in roadway deaths.

How do I claim for a non-fault accident? If you have comprehensive cover, you can make a claim with your insurance provider following their claims process. If you have third-party, or third-party, fire and theft insurance, you'll need to write to the other driver and make a claim against them directly.

Now, Iowa premises liability law requires property owners to exercise “reasonable care” to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. This means property owners should take steps to prevent foreseeable dangers or warn visitors about them.

Florida, Kansas, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Utah are the states with no-fault car insurance laws. All no-fault states include Personal Injury Protection as part of their minimum car insurance requirements.

No, Iowa is not a no-fault state for auto insurance.