Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Mt. Pleasant, IA
Pursuing Maximum Compensation Across Southeast Iowa
Getting hit by a drunk driver isn't just another car accident; it's a betrayal of trust on the road. Most crashes happen because of momentary lapses in judgment. A drunk driving crash happens because someone made a choice, knowing the risk, to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs.
The resultant impacts are often violent, life-altering, and entirely preventable.
Cornell Injury Law fiercely represents individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by intoxicated drivers. Since 1995, Attorney Danny Cornell and his team have worked to hold impaired drivers and their insurance carriers accountable for such accidents.
Our firm combines aggressive legal advocacy with deep-rooted empathy, treating you like family while demanding the justice you deserve.
Schedule a free in-person or virtual consultation with our Mt. Pleasant drunk-driving accident attorney by calling (319) 469-8019 or by reaching out online. We offer 24/7 access.
How We Protect Victims of Impaired Drivers
Holding an impaired driver accountable requires a proactive approach that preserves physical evidence before it disappears. When we take on your claim, we manage the operational details so you can focus on healing.
We provide:
- Compassionate support. As a former pastor, Danny knows how to connect with people during times of crisis. He treats you as a human being, not a case file, by responding to your concerns, checking in on your well-being, and guiding you through every milestone.
- Immediate evidence collection. We move quickly to subpoena police dash-cam footage, body-cam video, breathalyzer logs, field sobriety test results, toxicology reports, witness statements, and bar receipts, before details fade.
- Investigating “dram shop” liability. When an alcohol vendor overserves an impaired individual, we investigate potential dram shop liability to hold responsible establishments accountable alongside the driver.
- Shielding you from adjusters. Insurance companies representing drunk drivers often try to offer early, lowball settlements before the full extent of your injuries is known. We handle all negotiations to protect your rights.
- Pursuing maximum accountability and financial recovery. We aggressively pursue all available financial damages through negotiated settlements or at trial, including punitive damages when permitted under Iowa law.
You deserve an attorney who will listen, communicate and fight for what matters to you.
Your Injury Claim vs. Criminal DUI Case
In Iowa, a driver’s criminal OWI arrest and your personal injury lawsuit are entirely separate legal proceedings with different goals, standards of proof, and financial outcomes.
- Criminal prosecution (State of Iowa): Focuses on punishing the impaired driver through jail time, fines, and license suspension. It requires proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" and rarely covers your long-term financial losses.
- Civil injury lawsuit (our firm): Focuses on recovering financial compensation directly for you. It uses a lower standard of proof ("preponderance of the evidence").
- No conviction needed: You can successfully win your personal injury claim or secure an insurance settlement even if the driver is not convicted in criminal court. Our legal team independently gathers police reports, chemical test results, and crash data to establish civil liability.
Compensation Available for Drunk Driving Claims
Under Iowa law, victims of drunk driving accidents are entitled to seek financial recovery for economic and non-economic losses.
- Medical care: Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medication, and long-term medical care.
- Lost income and earning capacity: Full reimbursement for wages missed during recovery, as well as compensation if your injuries permanently impact your career potential.
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish: Recovery for physical trauma, emotional distress, PTSD, permanent scarring, and loss of life enjoyment.
- Property damage: Compensation for the repair or replacement of your vehicle or other personal items damaged or destroyed in the accident.
- Punitive damages (Iowa Code § 668A.1): Unlike standard accident claims, Iowa law permits victims of drunk driving to seek punitive damages when a driver displays "willful and wanton disregard" for safety. Punitive damages are awarded to explicitly punish the intoxicated driver and deter similar behavior.
Why Turn to Cornell Injury Law for Your Claim?
- Direct access to Attorney Danny Cornell: You work with Danny throughout the duration of your case. He provides one-on-one access.
- Empathetic support: Following Danny’s lead as a former pastor, our team brings a compassionate listening ear to families dealing with the aftermath of reckless, preventable crashes, guiding you toward stability and peace of mind.
- 30+ years of courtroom experience: Our track record speaks for itself in holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. We have secured over $100 million for thousands of clients.
- No upfront attorney fees: We handle drunk driving accident claims on a contingency fee basis.
Call Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk-driving accident, the sooner you call us, the better we can serve you in gathering the evidence needed before it disappears. Most of all, you don’t have to carry the legal burden by yourself.
Our firm is well-versed in pursuing justice for the Iowans we serve; let us use our talents, skills, and determination to help you at this difficult time.
Call (319) 469-8019 or reach us online for a free case evaluation with our Mt. Pleasant drunk driving attorney today.
