18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Fighting for Davis County, Iowa
The hayfield you passed five minutes ago in rural Davis County is now a blur in your rearview mirror. You’re on US Route 63 heading toward Bloomfield, maybe taking the back roads to avoid Interstate 35 traffic, when suddenly there’s an 80,000-pound wall of steel in your lane. There’s no time to react. The impact changes everything in an instant.
If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Ottumwa or a clinic in Bloomfield, or if you’re caring for a loved one who never made it home from work on those Davis County highways, you’re not alone. And you’re not powerless. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for families whose lives were shattered by 18-wheeler accidents in rural Iowa and across the country. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner since 1998, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for truck accident victims—$5 million for traumatic brain injuries, $3.8 million for amputations—and we bring that same relentless advocacy to every case in Davis County.
The truth is simple: trucking accidents aren’t like car accidents. The physics are devastating, the regulations are complex, and the trucking companies have teams working right now to minimize what they pay you. You need someone who knows their playbook. That’s why our firm includes Lupe Peña, an associate attorney who spent years defending insurance companies before joining our team. He knows exactly how commercial truck insurers evaluate claims, minimize payouts, and pressure victims—because he used to train adjusters to do exactly that. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.
Every hour you wait, evidence disappears. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses in rural Davis County scatter and forget what they saw. Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation. We answer 24/7, and we advance all costs—you pay nothing unless we win.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Davis County Demand Immediate Action
Davis County, Iowa, sits at the crossroads of agricultural commerce and rural highway travel. From the farms near Bloomfield to the highways connecting to Des Moines and Kansas City, commercial trucks dominate our roads. But these aren’t just bigger cars. When an 18-wheeler loaded to the federal limit of 80,000 pounds collides with a 4,000-pound sedan on US 2 or IA 5, the math is brutal. The truck carries 20 times the weight and requires nearly two football fields to stop from highway speed.
Rural Iowa presents unique dangers. Long stretches between exits mean fatigued drivers push beyond federal limits. Narrow shoulders and soft ditches cause rollover accidents when drivers overcorrect. Harvest season brings overloaded grain trucks struggling to stop. Winter ice on rural Iowa roads turns jackknifes into catastrophic multi-vehicle pileups with first responders 20 minutes away.
We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies operate recklessly in communities like ours. They bank on victims being too overwhelmed to fight back. Ralph Manginello doesn’t let that happen. With federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas and experience litigating against Fortune 500 corporations—including involvement in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation that resulted in over $2.1 billion in total industry settlements—we have the resources to stand toe-to-toe with any carrier.
FMCSA Regulations: The Rules Truckers Break That Win Your Case
Federal law requires every commercial truck operating in Davis County to comply with strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These aren’t suggestions—they’re legal requirements. When trucking companies violate these rules, they’re negligent. Period.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards
Before a driver ever sits behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler on Iowa highways, they must meet strict federal qualifications under 49 CFR § 391.11. They need a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), medical certification proving physical fitness, and a clean driving history verified through previous employers.
The trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification (DQ) File containing:
- Employment application and background investigation
- Three-year driving record from state agencies
- Medical examiner’s certificate (renewed every two years maximum)
- Drug and alcohol testing records
- Annual driving record reviews
When we investigate a Davis County truck crash, we subpoena these files immediately. If the company hired a driver with a history of DUIs, failed to verify their CDL, or skipped the medical exam, that’s negligent hiring—and it makes them liable for your injuries.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)
Fatigue kills. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to:
- 11 hours maximum driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- 14-hour on-duty window—once the driver clocks in, they cannot drive beyond the 14th hour
- 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70-hour weekly limits (7 or 8 days)
Since December 18, 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) that automatically record driving time. This data is objective evidence. If the driver was on hour 13 of their shift when they crashed into your vehicle on US 63, we prove they violated federal law. That violation constitutes negligence per se.
49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement
Every truck must have working brakes, proper lighting, and cargo secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces forward and 0.5g laterally. When grain trucks haul overloaded corn or soybean loads through Davis County without proper tiedowns, or when maintenance companies fail to adjust brakes according to § 393.48, they create deadly conditions.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections, and companies must keep maintenance records for at least one year. If a tire blows out because the tread depth was below 4/32″ on steer tires (as required by § 393.75), or if brakes fail due to deferred maintenance, the company is directly negligent.
We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained to preserve this evidence. Once we notify them, destroying records triggers sanctions and adverse jury instructions.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents on Davis County Roads
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck driver brakes suddenly on icy Iowa roads or takes a curve too fast on US 2, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating a 90-degree angle that sweeps across all lanes. These accidents often result in multi-vehicle pileups on narrow rural highways with no escape routes. We examine the ECM data to prove excessive speed and check maintenance records for brake system failures under 49 CFR § 393.48.
Rollover Crashes
Davis County’s rural roads feature soft shoulders and ditches that contribute to rollovers when drivers overcorrect. Overloaded agricultural trucks carrying grain or livestock have dangerously high centers of gravity. When cargo shifts during transport (violating § 393.100), or when drivers exceed safe speeds on curves, trucks tip, crushing anything in their path. These accidents frequently cause traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
Underride Collisions
When a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler, the roof gets sheared off at windshield level. Rear underride guards are required by law (§ 393.86), but many are poorly maintained. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, making T-bone accidents with trucks particularly deadly at rural intersections near Bloomfield.
Rear-End Collisions
A loaded truck needs 525 feet to stop at 65 mph—40% more than your car. On I-35 near Davis County, fatigued drivers following too closely (violating § 392.11) or distracted by phones (violating § 392.82) cause devastating rear-end collisions. The black box data tells us exactly when they applied brakes—if they hit the pedal at all.
Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)
Narrow rural intersections in Davis County force trucks to swing wide left before turning right. Passenger vehicles entering the gap get crushed against curbs or buildings. Drivers must signal and check mirrors—failure to do so constitutes negligence.
Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures
Iowa’s temperature extremes—scorching summers and frigid winters—degrade tires and brake systems. When maintenance companies fail to inspect equipment or companies defer repairs to save money, catastrophic mechanical failures occur on busy highways.
Every Liable Party Will Pay
Most firms only sue the driver. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants mean more insurance coverage for your recovery:
- The Truck Driver – For speeding, fatigue, distraction, or impairment
- The Trucking Company – Vicarious liability plus negligent hiring, training, and supervision
- The Cargo Owner/Shipper – When they overload trucks or pressure drivers to violate hours of service to meet harvest deadlines
- The Loading Company – Improperly secured grain or livestock that shifts during transport
- Truck/Trailer Manufacturer – Defective brakes, steering systems, or underride guards
- Parts Manufacturer – Defective tires or brake components
- Maintenance Company – Negligent repairs or failure to identify dangerous defects
- Freight Broker – Negligent selection of carriers with poor safety records
- The Truck Owner – If different from the operator, liable for negligent entrustment
- Government Entities – Poor road design or maintenance on county highways
In agricultural areas like Davis County, we often find that grain elevators or livestock operations pressured drivers to haul overweight loads or skip required breaks during harvest rush. These third parties can be held directly liable for their role in creating dangerous conditions.
The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency
Trucking companies deploy rapid-response teams to Davis County accident scenes before the ambulance even leaves. Their goal: protect themselves, not help you.
Critical evidence that disappears fast:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, throttle position—overwrites in 30 days
- ELD Logs: Proves hours of service violations—only retained 6 months federally
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Driver Qualification Files: Must be preserved but companies “lose” them
- Drug/Alcohol Tests: Must be conducted within specific windows post-crash
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we immediately send preservation letters to all parties, preventing them from destroying evidence. We subpoena the truck’s black box before it’s serviced or sold. We interview Davis County witnesses while memories are fresh. We photograph tire marks, debris patterns, and road conditions before weather erases the evidence.
Catastrophic Injuries Require Maximum Compensation
The injuries from 18-wheeler accidents aren’t minor. We’re talking about life-altering trauma:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): $1.5 million to $9.8 million+ in settlements. Cognitive impairment, personality changes, inability to work.
Spinal Cord Injury/Paralysis: $4.7 million to $25.8 million+. Quadriplegia and paraplegia requiring lifelong care and home modifications.
Amputation: $1.9 million to $8.6 million. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, phantom limb pain, permanent disability.
Wrongful Death: $1.9 million to $9.5 million+ for families who lost loved ones on Iowa highways.
These aren’t just numbers—they represent the cost of housing modifications, 24-hour nursing care, lost income over a lifetime, and the incalculable loss of quality of life. As Glenda Walker, a former client, said: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s our promise to every Davis County family.
Iowa Law: Your Rights and Time Limits
Iowa law applies to your Davis County case. Here is what controls your claim:
Statute of Limitations: You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the negligence.
Comparative Negligence: Iowa follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. This means if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. The trucking company’s insurance will try to push as much blame as possible onto you. We fight back with data from the black box and expert reconstruction.
No Punitive Damage Caps: Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap punitive damages in most personal injury cases. When trucking companies act with gross negligence—like knowingly keeping a dangerous driver on the road or destroying evidence—we can pursue additional damages to punish them.
What You Should Do After a Davis County Truck Accident
If you’re able, or if you’re helping a loved one:
- Call 911 immediately. Report all injuries, no matter how minor they seem.
- Seek medical attention. Adrenaline masks pain. Internal injuries from trucking accidents are common and deadly.
- Document everything. Photograph vehicles, license plates, the truck’s DOT number, driver information, and the scene. Get names of witnesses—crucial in rural areas where people stop to help then drive away.
- Do not give recorded statements to the trucking company’s insurance. They are trained to get you to say things that minimize your claim.
- Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. Hablamos Español—Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation without interpreters.
Why Davis County Families Choose Attorney911
We know the difference between Bloomfield and Des Moines, between an Iowa farm road and an interstate. While we’re based in Texas with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, our federal court admission and experience handling interstate trucking cases means we can represent you wherever the accident occurred. We travel to Davis County, work with local Iowa counsel when necessary, and bring the same resources we’d deploy in a major metro area to your rural Iowa case.
Ralph Manginello’s 25-year track record includes going toe-to-toe with Walmart, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We know how to pressure large corporations. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and a fraternity for hazing-related injuries—demonstrating we don’t back down from major institutional defendants.
Our insurance defense background gives us an unfair advantage. Lupe Peña knows the algorithms insurance companies use to value claims (like Colossus), and he knows their negotiation tactics because he used to deploy them. Now he dismantles them.
Our contingency fee means you pay 33.33% if we settle pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial—but you pay zero upfront. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and court costs. We often arrange medical treatment under letters of protection so you get care now even if you lack insurance.
Don’t just take our word for it. Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case—we got him the “handsome check” he deserved. Kiimarii Yup lost everything in a crash, and a year later wrote: “I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
FAQs: 18-Wheeler Accidents in Davis County
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Davis County, Iowa?
Two years from the accident date. But waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears and trucking companies build their defense. Call us immediately.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes, under Iowa’s modified comparative negligence law, you can recover if you are 50% or less at fault. Your damages will be reduced by your fault percentage, but you can still receive substantial compensation.
Who pays for my medical bills after a trucking accident?
Your own auto insurance may cover initial costs. Ultimately, the trucking company’s liability insurance (minimum $750,000, often $1-5 million) should cover all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
We still pursue the trucking company under doctrines of vicarious liability and negligent hiring. We also investigate all insurance policies covering the truck, trailer, and driver.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique. Factors include injury severity, medical costs, lost income, available insurance, and the egregiousness of the safety violations. Trucking cases often settle for six to eight figures due to higher insurance limits.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer will take them to court. Ralph Manginello has the trial experience to back up the threat.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Yes. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911. We provide direct Spanish representation without confusing interpreters.
What if the trucking company’s representative calls me?
Do not speak with them. Refer them to your attorney. They are trying to get you to accept a low settlement or make statements that hurt your case.
Can I sue for the death of a family member in a Davis County truck accident?
Yes. Iowa wrongful death law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to recover for lost income, loss of consortium, funeral expenses, and mental anguish.
What if the truck was hauling hazardous materials?
Hazmat trucks must carry $5 million in insurance minimum. These cases require special expertise in 49 CFR Part 397 regulations—we have that expertise.
Call Attorney911 Today: Your Fight Starts Now
The trucking company is already building their defense. They have lawyers. They have investigators. They have insurance adjusters trained to pay you as little as possible.
You need someone in your corner who levels the playing field. Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Lupe Peña brings insider insurance defense knowledge. Together, we’ve recovered over $50 million for families, including multi-million dollar settlements in cases other firms rejected.
Your life changed the moment that truck hit you. Don’t wait another day to start fighting for what you need to rebuild.
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). Free consultation. 24/7 availability. No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español.
We’ll send a spoliation letter today to preserve the black box data. We’ll investigate every liable party. We’ll fight for every dime you deserve—just like we did for Glenda Walker, Donald Wilcox, and hundreds of other families.
Don’t let them get away with it. Call now.
