18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Fighting for Des Moines County Victims
The average semi-truck rumbling through Des Moines County weighs 80,000 pounds. Your sedan weighs 4,000. When that kind of weight differential meets Iowa Highway 80 or Interstate 35 near Burlington, the results are catastrophic. We’re not talking about fender benders. We’re talking about life-altering traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and wrongful deaths that leave Des Moines County families shattered.
If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Burlington, Fort Madison, or Mediapolis—or if you’re grieving a loss that never should have happened—you need to know something critical: The trucking company already called their lawyers. They dispatched a rapid-response team to the scene while you were still waiting for the ambulance. While you’re focusing on healing, they’re focused on erasing evidence.
We’re Attorney911, and we don’t let them get away with it. Not in Des Moines County. Not anywhere.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Des Moines County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different
Every year, thousands of trucks haul corn, soybeans, pork, and ethanol through Des Moines County on their way to processing plants, export terminals, and distribution centers. I-80 cuts right through the heart of the county, carrying transcontinental freight from Council Bluffs to the Mississippi River and beyond. This isn’t just local traffic. These are 18-wheelers covering hundreds of miles daily, often with fatigued drivers pushing federal hour limits to meet delivery deadlines in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or Chicago.
Des Moines County’s agricultural economy means our roads see unique hazards other regions don’t. During harvest season, grain trucks converge on county routes. In winter, blizzards and black ice turn I-80 into a skating rink. Truck drivers who aren’t trained for Midwest weather conditions—or who ignore Iowa’s chain laws during ice storms—create deadly conditions for families just trying to get to work or school.
But here’s what makes these cases legally different: Commercial trucking is governed by federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These aren’t just traffic tickets. Violations of 49 CFR Parts 390-399—covering everything from driver qualifications to brake inspections to hours of service—create grounds for massive liability claims. When a trucker violates these rules in Des Moines County and hurts someone, we don’t just sue the driver. We go after the trucking company, the cargo owner, the maintenance contractor, and anyone else who contributed to the carnage.
Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years understanding these regulations. Since 1998, he’s been holding trucking companies accountable, and he’s admitted to federal court—meaning he can litigate these cases anywhere Des Moines County victims need him, including right here in Iowa’s federal district courts.
The Physics of Devastation: Why Truck Crashes Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Let’s talk about what actually happens when 80,000 pounds of steel hits a passenger vehicle at highway speeds near West Burlington or Danville.
A fully loaded semi traveling at 65 mph on I-80 needs approximately 525 feet to stop. That’s nearly two football fields. When traffic slows suddenly near the Great River Bridge or during a whiteout condition on Highway 61, that truck cannot stop in time. The resulting impact forces are measured in hundreds of thousands of pound-force. The human body wasn’t designed to absorb that.
This is why Des Moines County trucking accidents typically cause:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with airbag deployment, the brain suffers she’saring forces against the skull. Moderate to severe TBIs—common in underride collisions where a car slides under the trailer—can leave victims unable to work, drive, or live independently. We’ve recovered between $1,548,000 and $9,838,000 for TBI victims, because these injuries require lifelong care.
Spinal Cord Injuries: When a truck’s impact crushes the passenger compartment, vertebrae compress or sever. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are tragically common. The lifetime costs for a Des Moines County spinal cord injury victim can exceed $5 million in medical care alone.
Amputations: Crush injuries from jackknife accidents or rollover crashes often necessitate surgical amputation. We’ve secured settlements ranging from $1,945,000 to $8,630,000 for amputation cases, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity.
Wrongful Death: According to federal data, 76% of fatalities in large truck crashes are occupants of the smaller vehicle. When a trucking company’s negligence kills a Des Moines County resident, we pursue wrongful death claims ranging from $1,910,000 to $9,520,000 to compensate families for lost income, lost companionship, and mental anguish.
These aren’t just numbers. They represent real Des Moines County families—fathers who can’t play with their children, mothers who can’t return to nursing, children who need 24-hour care for the rest of their lives.
FMCSA Regulations: The Rulebook Trucking Companies Break
Federal law governs every aspect of commercial trucking. When trucking companies operating in Des Moines County violate these rules, we use those violations to prove negligence. Here are the critical regulations we investigate in every case:
49 CFR Part 391 – Driver Qualification: Trucking companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files proving their drivers are medically fit, properly licensed, and trained. We subpoena these files to check if the driver who hit you had a history of DUIs, medical disqualifications, or previous accidents that the company ignored. Negligent hiring is a powerful claim in Des Moines County courts.
49 CFR Part 392 – Driving Rules: This section prohibits operating while fatigued, under the influence, or while using handheld mobile phones. When a trucker texts while crossing Des Moines County on I-80, they’re violating federal law. When they drive beyond the 11-hour daily limit or the 14-hour on-duty window, they’re breaking the law. We pull ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data to prove these violations.
49 CFR Part 393 – Vehicle Safety: This covers everything from brake systems to cargo securement. Iowa’s grain hauling industry means we frequently see violations of cargo securement rules—improperly loaded grain can shift suddenly, causing rollovers on county roads. In winter, we see violations of lighting requirements when snow covers reflective tape.
49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service (HOS): The most commonly violated regulations. Drivers can drive maximum 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th hour on-duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours. The ELD mandate requires electronic monitoring—if a driver was manipulating logs or the company pressured them to skip breaks, we prove it.
49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection and Maintenance: Pre-trip and post-trip inspections are mandatory. Brake failures cause 29% of truck accidents. If a trucking company cut corners on maintenance to save money, we hold them accountable for every penny of that decision.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Des Moines County
Not all truck accidents are the same. Here are the specific collision types we see on Des Moines County roads, and why each requires specialized legal handling:
Jackknife Accidents: When a truck driver hits brakes too hard on icy I-80 near Middletown, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, sweeping across multiple lanes. These accidents often involve violations of 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake maintenance) or failure to adjust for weather conditions under § 392.6.
Rollover Crashes: Top-heavy grain trucks taking county roads too fast or hitting soft shoulders during spring thaws. The 2005 Iowa data shows rollovers spike during planting and harvest seasons. Cargo securement violations under Part 393 often contribute.
Underride Collisions: Perhaps the most horrific. When a passenger vehicle hits the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the roof shears off. Despite federal requirements for rear underride guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many trailers have inadequate protection. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, but we still pursue claims based on industry standards.
Rear-End Collisions: Following too closely (violation of 49 CFR § 392.11) is epidemic among fatigued drivers racing to beat hours-of-service clocks. A loaded semi rear-ending a stopped vehicle on Highway 61 causes devastating spinal injuries.
Wide-Turn Squeeze Play: Trucks swinging left before turning right in Burlington’s tight intersections, crushing vehicles in the blind spot. These cases often involve failure to signal or inadequate mirror checks.
Tire Blowouts: Iowa’s extreme summer heat and winter cold degrade tires. When a trucker fails to inspect tires before a trip (violating § 396.13) or drives with underinflated tires, blowouts cause loss of control.
Brake Failure: Due to poor maintenance (§ 396.3), overheating on long descents, or improper adjustment. The steep grades near the Mississippi River Valley test braking systems—trucks with inadequate maintenance fail.
Cargo Spills: Ethanol tanker rollovers or grain spills blocking Highway 99 create secondary accidents. Improper loading under Part 393 violates federal law and creates strict liability.
Head-On Crashes: Often caused by driver fatigue or distraction on two-lane county roads. When a truck crosses the center line near Kingston or Wever, the results are almost always fatal.
Every Liable Party Pays: Our Multi-Defendant Strategy
Most Des Moines County accident victims think they can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking company wants you to think. In reality, we pursue every responsible party:
The Truck Driver: Direct negligence for speeding, distraction, impairment, or hours-of-service violations. We pull their driving record, drug test results, and cell phone records.
The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts. Plus, we pursue direct negligence claims for negligent hiring (did they check the driver’s record?), negligent training (did they teach winter driving techniques for Iowa conditions?), negligent supervision (did they monitor ELD compliance?), and negligent maintenance.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper: Iowa’s agricultural economy means grain elevators, ethanol plants, and livestock operations frequently arrange transport. If they demanded overweight loads or pressured unsafe schedules, they’re liable.
The Loading Company: Improperly balanced grain loads or unsecured equipment shifting during transport cause rollovers in Des Moines County.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers: Defective brakes, steering systems, or underride guards that fail under impact. We work with engineers to prove product liability.
Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent brake repairs or ignored critical safety issues.
Freight Brokers: Companies arranging transport who negligently hired carriers with poor safety records.
Government Entities: When dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain roads contributes to accidents on state highways or county routes.
Our investigation identifies every deep pocket because we know catastrophic injuries require catastrophic compensation. One of our clients said it best: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” — Glenda Walker. That’s our promise to every Des Moines County victim.
The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis: Why You Must Act Now
Here’s a truth the trucking companies hope you’ll never learn: Critical evidence starts disappearing immediately after a Des Moines County crash.
ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in as little as 30 days or when the truck is driven again. This data shows speed, braking, and throttle position before impact—objective proof of negligence.
ELD Logs: Legally only required to be kept for 6 months. After that, hours-of-service violations can be erased.
Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days if it shows driver negligence.
Driver Qualification Files: Can be altered or “lost” if not immediately preserved.
Physical Evidence: The truck itself may be repaired, sold, or exported within weeks.
That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. These legal notices put the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence constitutes litigation fraud. Judges in Iowa courts can sanction companies for spoliation, instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence was harmful to the defense, or even issue default judgments.
As client Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your Des Moines County case with that level of urgency because we know what’s at stake.
Iowa Law: What Des Moines County Victims Need to Know
Statute of Limitations: Iowa gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, it’s two years from the date of death. Miss this deadline, and you lose your rights forever—regardless of how severe your injuries.
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar): Iowa follows the 51% rule. If you’re found 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. But if you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This is why evidence preservation is critical—we need to prove the truck driver caused the crash, not you.
Punitive Damages: Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap punitive damages in most personal injury cases. When trucking companies act with willful and wanton disregard for safety—like knowingly keeping dangerous drivers on the road or falsifying inspection reports—we can pursue substantial punitive awards to punish that conduct.
Why Des Moines County Chooses Attorney911
You might be wondering: “This firm is based in Texas. Can they really handle my case in Des Moines County?”
Yes. Here’s why Iowa victims trust us:
Federal Court Admission: Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—and we can practice in Iowa federal courts for trucking cases involving interstate commerce. Most 18-wheeler cases involve interstate travel, meaning federal regulations apply universally.
25+ Years of Experience: Since 1998, Ralph has been litigating complex personal injury cases, including against Fortune 500 companies like BP in the Texas City refinery explosion (part of $2.1 billion in total settlements). He brings that level of sophisticated litigation to Des Moines County cases.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: Associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for national insurance defense firms. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train adjusters to minimize payouts, and deny legitimate claims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. As he told ABC13 Houston: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” That same dedication applies to protecting Des Moines County families.
Current Major Litigation: We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for fraternity hazing—demonstrating we have the resources to take on institutional defendants anywhere.
Multi-Million Dollar Results: Our track record includes:
- $5+ Million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
- $3.8+ Million for a car accident victim who suffered a partial leg amputation due to staph infection
- $2.5+ Million for an 18-wheeler accident victim
- $2+ Million for a maritime back injury under the Jones Act
4.9-Star Rating: With over 251 Google reviews, our clients consistently mention our family-like treatment. Donald Wilcox, whose case another firm rejected, said: “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.”
Contingency Fee Guarantee: You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses. Our standard fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if we have to go to court—meaning we only get paid when you do.
Spanish Language Services: Des Moines County’s Hispanic community deserves direct representation. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish—no interpreters needed. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Des Moines County
If you’ve just been hit by a semi-truck near Burlington or anywhere in Des Moines County:
- Call 911. Get police on the scene and an accident report filed.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Internal injuries and TBIs aren’t always apparent. Methodist Hospital in Burlington or Great River Medical Center in West Burlington should evaluate you.
- Document everything. Photograph the truck’s DOT number, license plates, damage to all vehicles, skid marks, and road conditions. Get witness names and contact information.
- Do NOT speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. They’re trained to get you to say things that minimize your claim.
- Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.
Frequently Asked Questions About Des Moines County Truck Accidents
How much is my Des Moines County truck accident case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Federal law requires trucking companies to carry minimum $750,000 coverage, but many carry $1-5 million. We’ve recovered millions for catastrophic injury victims.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault for the accident on Highway 61?
Yes, if you were 50% or less at fault. Iowa’s modified comparative negligence rule reduces your recovery by your fault percentage, but doesn’t eliminate it unless you’re primarily responsible.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for my Des Moines County trucking accident?
Two years from the crash date. Don’t wait—evidence disappears fast.
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 attorney is trial-ready. Ralph Manginello has the federal court experience to take your case all the way if necessary.
What if the truck driver was from a different state?
That’s common on I-80. Federal regulations apply nationwide, and we can pursue drivers and companies regardless of where they’re headquartered.
Can you represent me if I’m in Des Moines County but you’re in Texas?
Absolutely. We handle trucking cases throughout the United States. We offer remote consultations and travel to Des Moines County for your case. The trucking industry’s interstate nature means federal court experience matters more than proximity.
How quickly will you send a spoliation letter to preserve evidence?
Within 24 hours of being retained. We don’t delay.
Your Fight Starts Now
The trucking company that changed your life has already started building their defense. They’ve got lawyers. They’ve got investigators. They’ve got insurance adjusters working to pay you as little as possible.
You need someone who fights back harder.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent 25+ years making trucking companies pay. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations. We’ve recovered over $50 million for families. And we bring that power to Des Moines County.
Don’t let the evidence disappear. Don’t let them push you into a lowball settlement. Don’t try to fight this alone.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
The consultation is free. We’re available 24/7. And remember—you pay nothing unless we win.
As our client Ernest Cano said: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
That fight starts with your phone call. Don’t wait another day.
1-888-ATTY-911
Serving trucking accident victims throughout Des Moines County, including Burlington, Fort Madison, Mediapolis, West Burlington, Danville, Kingston, Wever, and all surrounding communities.
