18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Cass County, Iowa
When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything in an Instant
It happened fast. One moment you’re driving along Interstate 80 through Cass County, Iowa—maybe heading toward Atlantic, maybe passing through on your way to Des Moines or Omaha. The next moment, an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer is jackknifing across the lanes, or worse, slamming into your vehicle. There’s no time to react. No chance to escape.
Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. But here in Cass County, Iowa, our position along one of the nation’s busiest east-west freight corridors makes us particularly vulnerable. Interstate 80 cuts through the southern reaches of our county, carrying thousands of heavy trucks daily—hauling grain from our agricultural heartland, electronics to coastal markets, and hazardous materials across the country. When something goes wrong on this stretch of highway, the consequences are catastrophic.
If you’re reading this, you or someone you love is likely reeling from a collision with an 18-wheeler in Cass County, Iowa. The medical bills are mounting. The trucking company’s insurance adjuster has already called, sounding sympathetic but pushing for a quick settlement. And you’re wondering how you’ll ever put your life back together.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Who We Are—and Why Trucking Companies Fear Us
We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims just like you. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been practicing law since 1998. He’s admitted to Federal Court in the Southern District of Texas, has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP after the 2005 Texas City Refinery explosion that killed 15 workers, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by catastrophic injuries. But what really sets us apart is this: our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years working for the other side—learning exactly how trucking insurers minimize claims, deny legitimate damages, and pressure victims into accepting pennies on the dollar.
Now he fights against them. That insider knowledge is your advantage.
As client Chad Harris told us after we handled his case: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That’s how we treat every 18-wheeler accident victim who calls our firm. We’ve handled cases other lawyers rejected, winning when others said it couldn’t be done. Donald Wilcox, another client, put it simply: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve trucking accident victims across the country—including right here in Cass County, Iowa. And we answer the phone 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
The Cass County, Iowa Trucking Corridor: Where Danger Meets Daily Life
Cass County, Iowa sits at the crossroads of American commerce. Interstate 80—the country’s primary east-west freight artery—runs through our county, connecting New York to San Francisco. US-71 cuts north-south through Atlantic, carrying heavy agricultural equipment and grain trucks to processing facilities. These aren’t just local roads; they’re vital links in the national supply chain.
Every day, thousands of 18-wheelers rumble through Cass County, Iowa. Many are driven by professionals who follow the rules, rest when they’re tired, and maintain their vehicles properly. But too many are pushed beyond safe limits by companies prioritizing profit over safety. Drivers racing to meet impossible deadlines. Trucks with worn brakes barreling down I-80 toward Omaha. Cargo improperly secured on routes crossing the Missouri River basin.
The statistics are brutal. Over 5,000 people die in trucking accidents annually nationwide, with 76% of them being occupants of the smaller vehicle. In Cass County, Iowa, the rural highways and long stretches of interstate create unique dangers—fatigue sets in on monotonous drives, weather conditions change rapidly across the plains, and help can be miles away when a truck loses control near Atlantic or Grant.
The Physics Don’t Lie: Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. That’s not a fair fight—it’s 20 times your vehicle’s mass. When these vehicles collide, the forces involved are devastating.
Physics tells the story: an 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph on I-80 in Cass County, Iowa needs approximately 525 feet to stop. That’s nearly two football fields. Meanwhile, your car stops in about 300 feet. That 225-foot difference means that when a truck driver doesn’t brake in time—or can’t because their brakes failed—there’s literally no way to avoid disaster.
These impacts cause specific, devastating injury patterns:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
The force of a truck collision can cause the brain to slam against the skull, resulting in concussions, contusions, or diffuse axonal injuries. Victims may suffer memory loss, personality changes, cognitive impairment, and permanent disability. Our firm has recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are common outcomes when a passenger vehicle is crushed beneath a truck trailer or struck at highway speeds. The lifetime care costs for spinal injuries can exceed $4.7 million to $25.8 million, depending on severity.
Amputations
Crush injuries often require surgical amputation of limbs. We’ve secured settlements ranging from $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and lifetime care.
Wrongful Death
When a truck accident kills a loved one, families are left with funeral expenses, lost income, and immeasurable grief. We’ve recovered $1.9 million to $9.5 million for wrongful death cases.
The Cass County, Iowa Accident Types We See Most
While every crash is unique, certain accident types dominate the highways around Cass County, Iowa:
Jackknife Accidents
On icy stretches of I-80 or US-6 during Iowa winters, trucks often lose traction. When a driver brakes too hard on slick pavement, the trailer swings sideways, forming a “V” shape that sweeps across multiple lanes. These accidents block entire highways and create multi-vehicle pileups. They typically violate 49 CFR § 392.6 (speeding for conditions) and 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake system maintenance).
Rear-End Collisions
Following too closely is a violation of 49 CFR § 392.11, but it’s common on the long hauls through Cass County, Iowa. Distracted or fatigued drivers fail to notice slowed traffic near Atlantic or construction zones on I-80. The results are catastrophic—passenger vehicles crushed beneath truck trailers with forces that cause instant death or severe spinal injuries.
Underride Crashes
When a tractor-trailer stops suddenly on US-71 and a smaller vehicle follows too closely, the car can slide underneath the trailer. Federal regulations (49 CFR § 393.86) require rear impact guards, but these often fail or are missing on older equipment. The roof of the passenger vehicle is sheared off, causing decapitation or severe head trauma.
Tire Blowouts
Iowa’s temperature extremes—blistering summer heat on asphalt and brutal winter cold—stress truck tires to their limits. When a steer tire blows at highway speed, the truck swerves uncontrollably. Under 49 CFR § 393.75, truckers must maintain adequate tread depth and inspect tires before every trip. Failure to do so constitutes negligence.
Cargo Spills and Shifts
Cass County, Iowa’s agricultural economy means heavy loads of grain, equipment, and livestock traverse our roads. When cargo shifts suddenly or spills onto I-80, it creates deadly obstacles for other motorists. Federal cargo securement rules (49 CFR § 393.100-136) require proper tiedowns and load distribution, but overloaded grain trucks and improperly secured farm equipment regularly violate these standards.
Brake Failures
On the rolling hills west of Atlantic, brake systems overheat. If a trucking company deferred maintenance to save money—violating 49 CFR § 396.3—the brakes can fail completely on a descent. Runaway trucks on downhill grades have caused devastating crashes in Cass County, Iowa.
Driver Fatigue Accidents
The long, straight stretches of I-80 through Iowa invite drowsy driving. Federal Hours of Service regulations (49 CFR Part 395) limit drivers to 11 hours of driving time after 10 hours off duty, but dispatchers often pressure drivers to exceed these limits. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) track compliance, but fatigue-related crashes still occur when drivers manipulate logs or ignore rest requirements.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Your Cass County, Iowa 18-Wheeler Case?
Most people assume only the truck driver is responsible. That’s exactly what the trucking company wants you to think. In reality, multiple parties may owe you compensation after a crash in Cass County, Iowa:
The Driver – For speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. Under 49 CFR § 392.3, drivers cannot operate while fatigued or ill.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier) – Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for their employees’ negligence. Plus, they can be directly liable for negligent hiring (violating 49 CFR Part 391 by failing to verify driver qualifications), negligent training, or negligent maintenance (49 CFR Part 396).
The Cargo Owner/Shipper – If they demanded overloaded trucks or failed to disclose hazardous materials, violating 49 CFR Part 393.
The Loading Company – For improper cargo securement that caused a shift or spill.
The Truck or Parts Manufacturer – For defective brakes, tires, or steering systems.
The Maintenance Company – For negligent repairs that allowed unsafe equipment on the road.
The Freight Broker – For negligently selecting a carrier with a history of safety violations.
The Truck Owner – If different from the carrier, for negligent entrustment.
Government Entities – If poor road design or maintenance in Cass County, Iowa contributed to the crash (though sovereign immunity may apply).
We investigate every potential source of recovery. Client Glenda Walker appreciated that tenacity: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Evidence Disappears Fast: The 48-Hour Rule
Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: they have a rapid-response team that arrives at crash scenes in Cass County, Iowa within hours—sometimes while the wreckage is still smoking. Their lawyers are building a defense while you’re still in the hospital.
Critical evidence can vanish:
- ECM/Black Box Data – Overwrites in 30 days or with new driving events
- ELD Logs – Only required to be kept for 6 months under FMCSA regulations
- Dashcam Footage – Deleted within days
- Driver Qualification Files – Can be altered if not immediately preserved
- Maintenance Records – “Lost” or modified
We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained, legally compelling the preservation of all evidence. As client Angel Walle noted: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
Iowa Law: What You Need to Know for Your Cass County Case
Cass County, Iowa follows Iowa state law regarding personal injury claims:
Statute of Limitations: You have two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a lawsuit in Iowa. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how severe your injuries.
Comparative Negligence: Iowa uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were 50% or less responsible. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you 20% at fault and awards $1 million, you receive $800,000. But if you’re found 51% at fault, you recover nothing.
Insurance Minimums: Federal law requires commercial trucking companies to carry significant insurance:
- $750,000 for general freight
- $1,000,000 for oil and large equipment
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials
Unlike typical car accidents with $30,000 Iowa minimums, trucking accidents have substantial coverage available—but accessing it requires knowing how to navigate federal regulations and multi-party litigation.
Punitive Damages: Iowa permits punitive damages when defendants act with willful and wanton disregard for safety. Iowa has no statutory cap on punitive damages for trucking accidents, meaning juries can award substantial sums to punish grossly negligent trucking companies.
The Investigation Process: How We Win Cass County, Iowa 18-Wheeler Cases
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we immediately:
-
Preserve Evidence – Send spoliation demands to prevent deletion of ELD data, maintenance records, and black box information.
-
Analyze FMCSA Records – Pull the carrier’s safety rating, inspection history, and prior violations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
-
Subpoena Driver Files – Examine Driver Qualification Files for violations of 49 CFR § 391.51 (medical certifications, background checks, training records).
-
Reconstruct the Accident – Work with engineers to analyze ECM data showing speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments before impact.
-
Identify All Liable Parties – Trace corporate ownership, insurance policies, and lease agreements to maximize recovery.
-
Calculate Full Damages – Account for every dollar: medical bills, lost wages, future care, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life.
Common Questions After Cass County, Iowa 18-Wheeler Accidents
How soon should I hire an attorney after a truck crash in Cass County, Iowa?
Immediately. Evidence disappears quickly, and Iowa’s two-year statute of limitations runs faster than you think. The trucking company already has lawyers working against you.
What if the trucking company claims I was partially at fault?
Under Iowa law, you can still recover as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. Don’t let them bully you into accepting blame. We fight disputed liability claims with ECM data, witness statements, and accident reconstruction.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs. Client Kiimarii Yup put it best: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
We still sue the trucking company under theories of vicarious liability or negligent hiring. We also investigate the owner-operator’s insurance and the contracting company’s supervision practices.
How long will my case take?
Simple cases settle in 6-12 months. Complex litigation with multiple defendants may take 18-36 months. We prepare every case for trial from day one, which often accelerates settlement.
What if I don’t feel hurt immediately?
See a doctor anyway. Adrenaline masks serious injuries like brain bleeds or internal organ damage. Documenting everything protects both your health and your case.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Sí. Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
What are the most common FMCSA violations in Cass County, Iowa crashes?
Hours of service violations (49 CFR Part 395), improper cargo securement (49 CFR § 393.100), inadequate vehicle maintenance (49 CFR Part 396), and unqualified drivers (49 CFR Part 391).
Can I sue for punitive damages?
Yes, if the trucking company acted with reckless disregard for safety—such as knowingly hiring a driver with multiple violations, falsifying logbooks, or deferring critical brake repairs.
The Attorney911 Advantage for Cass County, Iowa Residents
When you hire us for your Cass County, Iowa 18-wheeler accident, you get:
- 25+ years of experience specifically handling catastrophic trucking cases
- Former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge of adjuster tactics
- Federal court admission to handle interstate commerce cases
- $50+ million recovered for clients, including multi-million dollar trucking settlements
- 24/7 availability at 1-888-ATTY-911
- Personal attention—Ralph Manginello answers his own phone, and we treat you like family, not a case number
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston involving hazing allegations—proving we have the resources and tenacity to take on powerful institutions. We’ve faced BP in the courtroom after the Texas City explosion. We’ve battled Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We know how to win against corporate defendants.
As client Ernest Cano said: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
The Clock Is Ticking: Protect Your Cass County, Iowa Trucking Accident Case
The trucking company that hit you on I-80 or US-71 in Cass County, Iowa has already notified their insurer. Their rapid-response team is already gathering evidence to blame you. Their lawyers are calculating the minimum they can pay to make you go away.
Don’t let them win.
Every day you wait, evidence disappears. Witnesses’ memories fade. The truck’s black box data gets closer to being overwritten. And the trucking company gets stronger while you struggle with injuries that weren’t your fault.
You need an attorney who knows the difference between a Cass County, Iowa farming accident and a complex interstate trucking case. One who understands that jackknifes on icy I-80 require different evidence than cargo spills on US-6. One who has the resources to hire the best accident reconstruction experts and the experience to take on national carriers.
You need Attorney911.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. The consultation is free. We advance all costs. You pay nothing unless we win. And if you speak Spanish, ask for Lupe Peña—he’ll handle your case personally without interpreters.
Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t accept a lowball settlement that leaves you paying medical bills for decades. Don’t give them a recorded statement that they’ll use against you.
Fight back. Start today.
1-888-ATTY-911
Se habla español. Llame hoy.
Attorney911 serves 18-wheeler accident victims throughout Cass County, Iowa—including Atlantic, Griswold, Lewis, Marne, Massena, and all communities along I-80, US-71, and US-6.
