What to do after a car accident in Iowa
Every rule below is quoted from Iowa law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Iowa is an at fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, is responsible for the other person's injuries and property damage. If the crash injured or killed someone, the driver must notify police or the state patrol right away. You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Iowa.
Deadlines in Iowa
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesIowa Code 614.1(2)
- 5 years
- to sue for car or property damageIowa Code 614.1(4)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathIowa Code 611.20; 614.1(2)
- 2 years
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedIowa Code 669.13 (state); 670.5 (municipal)
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
After a crash, the driver must stop at the scene, and if there is injury, stay or return and give their name, address, and license plate number, show their license if asked, and help anyone who is hurt, including arranging medical transport if needed.
“shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible and if able, shall then return to and remain at the scene of the accident”
When you must call the police
If the crash injured or killed someone, the driver must notify police or the state patrol right away.
“shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the sheriff of the county in which said accident occurred, or the nearest office of the state patrol”
Moving your car out of traffic
If a crash only damaged the vehicles and they can still be driven, Iowa law says the driver must move the car off the road, onto the shoulder or median, as soon as it's safe.
“shall immediately remove the driver's vehicle from the traveled portion of the roadway if the vehicle is operable and the removal can be achieved in a safe manner”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
The driver must send Iowa's Department of Transportation a written crash report within 72 hours if the crash caused injury or death, or at least $1,500 in total property damage. You do not have to file it yourself if a law enforcement agency already investigated the crash.
“total property damage to an apparent extent of one thousand five hundred dollars or more shall, within seventy-two hours after the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the department”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can look up a free Iowa State Patrol crash report online for 15 days after the crash. After that, you have to contact the Iowa State Patrol district office directly.
“There is no charge to view any report that is posted on this site.”
Who pays for the damage
Iowa is an at fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, is responsible for the other person's injuries and property damage.
“proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents occurring subsequent to the effective date of the proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle”
Insurance rules in Iowa
What insurance every driver must carry
Iowa drivers must carry liability insurance of at least $20,000 for injury or death to one person, $40,000 total for injury or death to more than one person in the same crash, and $15,000 for property damage.
“in the amount of twenty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident, and, subject to the limit for one person, the amount of forty thousand dollars”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Iowa does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection, called PIP. The only coverage state law makes mandatory is liability insurance.
“against loss from liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of an insured motor vehicle”
If the other driver has no insurance
Insurance companies in Iowa must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in every auto liability policy sold here, unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.
“unless coverage is provided in such policy or supplemental thereto, for the protection of persons insured under such policy who are legally entitled to recover damages from the owner”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Iowa Insurance Division online.
“File a complaint against one of the entities or individuals that the Iowa Insurance Division regulates.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Iowa.
“Those founded on injuries to the person or reputation, including injuries to relative rights, whether based on contract or tort, or for a statute penalty, within two years.”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 5 years to sue over vehicle or property damage from a car crash in Iowa.
“those brought for injuries to property, or for relief on the ground of fraud in cases heretofore solely cognizable in a court of chancery, and all other actions not otherwise provided for in this respect, within five years”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
You have 2 years to sue over a death caused by a car crash in Iowa.
“All causes of action shall survive and may be brought notwithstanding the death of the person entitled or liable to the same.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state vehicle or state worker caused the crash, you must file a written claim with the state within 2 years. If a city, county, or other local government is involved, you must file your lawsuit within 2 years; Iowa law does not require a separate notice before that.
“a claim or suit otherwise permitted under this chapter shall be forever barred, unless within two years after the claim accrued, the claim is made in writing and filed with the director of the department of management”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Iowa Code 321A.1(11); 321.20B
- Iowa Code 321.1(24B)(a)
- Iowa Code 668.3(1)(a)
- Iowa Code 614.1(2)
- Iowa Code 611.20; 614.1(2)
- Iowa Code 669.13 (state); 670.5 (municipal)
- Iowa Code 321.266(1)
- Iowa Code 516A.1
- Iowa Code 321.261(1)(a); 321.263(1)
- Iowa Code 321.262(1)(a)
- N/A (online portal, not a statute)
- N/A (agency complaint page)
- Iowa Court Rule 32:1.5(c)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.