Iowa at a glance
Iowa allows two years to sue for injuries to the person.[1] A claimant who bears a greater percentage of fault than the defendants combined is barred.[2] Drivers must carry at least $20,000/$40,000 in bodily injury coverage.[3]
Filing deadlines
Iowa Code § 614.1(2)
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.
Source: [1]
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in Iowa must be filed within two years.[1]
Shared fault
Iowa Code § 668.3(1)(a)
Contributory fault shall not bar recovery in an action by a claimant to recover damages for fault resulting in death or in injury to person or property unless the claimant bears a greater percentage of fault than the combined percentage of fault attributed to the defendants
Source: [2]
This is modified comparative fault, often called the 51% bar. An injured person who is 50% or less at fault can recover damages reduced by their share; one who is more at fault than the parties the statute compares them to cannot recover.
Auto insurance requirements
Iowa’s financial responsibility law sets “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 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident.”[3] Iowa is not one of the no-fault states.[4]
What this page does not cover
This page covers the main deadlines, fault rule, damage limits and auto insurance requirements. Statutes also contain exceptions, such as rules for minors, people who are incapacitated and claims discovered later, and special rules apply to medical malpractice and workers’ compensation. Always read the full statute at the official source linked below.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a head injury lawsuit in Iowa?
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in Iowa must be filed within two years.[1]
This page provides general information about the law from the sources listed below. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. See our legal disclaimer.
Sources
- Iowa Code § 614.1. Iowa Legislature. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/614.1.pdf
- Iowa Code § 668.3. Iowa Legislature. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iacode/1999/668/3.html
- Iowa Code § 321A.1. Iowa Legislature. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2021/321A.1.pdf
- Insurance Information Institute. “Background on: No-fault auto insurance.” https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-no-fault-auto-insurance
Sources last checked: October 11, 2026
