If an 80,000-pound grain hauler has changed your life forever on the rural highways of Ida County, you need more than a lawyer—you need a fighter who knows exactly how to make trucking companies pay. We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years taking on commercial carriers and winning. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been admitted to federal court, has litigated against Fortune 500 corporations like BP after the Texas City explosion, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours right here in Iowa.
The trucking corridors serving Ida County don’t forgive mistakes. Whether you’re traveling I-80 near Holstein, navigating Highway 59 through Ida Grove, or sharing the road with agricultural equipment on rural routes, one moment of negligence by a truck driver can leave you with catastrophic injuries and a lifetime of medical bills. In Iowa, you have just two years from your accident date to file a claim, and if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. That’s why documentation and legal action matter from day one.
When an 18-Wheeler Hits You in Ida County, Everything Changes
Think an 18-wheeler is just a big car? Think again. The average fully loaded semi-truck weighs 80,000 pounds—that’s twenty-five times heavier than your sedan. On Iowa’s highways, where grain trucks and livestock haulers mix with interstate traffic, the physics are brutal. A truck traveling at 65 mph needs nearly two football fields to stop. When they don’t stop in time, the results are catastrophic.
We know Ida County’s trucking landscape. From the agricultural haulers moving corn and soybeans during harvest season to the long-haul carriers traveling I-80 across western Iowa, our team understands the unique hazards facing drivers here. Winter brings ice and black ice on rural roads. Spring brings flooding. And year-round, fatigued drivers push through the 11-hour federal driving limits to make delivery deadlines in Des Moines or Council Bluffs.
Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. While the national average is one truck crash injury every quarter hour, Ida County’s position along major agricultural routes and interstate corridors makes this stretch particularly deadly during planting and harvest seasons when truck traffic spikes.
Why Trucking Companies Fear Attorney911
Before the ambulance even arrives at your accident scene on Highway 20 or County Road L32, the trucking company has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. What are you doing?
We’re not just any personal injury firm. Attorney911’s founder, Ralph Manginello, has spent his career holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. With admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the State Bar of Texas (Bar #24007597), Ralph brings federal court experience that matters when trucking cases cross state lines—and when they need to be filed in federal court to maximize recovery.
But here’s what really keeps trucking company adjusters up at night: our associate attorney, Lupe Peña. Lupe spent years working INSIDE a national insurance defense firm. He watched adjusters minimize claims. He saw how they train their people to lowball victims. Now he exposes those tactics and uses his insider knowledge to fight for maximum compensation for Ida County families. When we say we know their playbook, we mean it—we have the guy who used to write it.
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve recovered over $50 million for Texas families, including multi-million dollar settlements that make trucking companies pay attention:
- $5+ Million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
- $3.8+ Million for a client who suffered a partial leg amputation after a car crash led to medical complications
- $2.5+ Million for a commercial truck crash victim
- $2+ Million for a maritime worker with a back injury under the Jones Act
In wrongful death trucking cases, we’ve recovered between $1.9 million and $9.5 million for families who lost loved ones. As client Glenda Walker told us after her case settled, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
The Clock is Ticking: Iowa’s Legal Landscape
The evidence in your Ida County 18-wheeler accident case started disappearing the moment the collision occurred. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted within weeks. Witnesses’ memories fade. And the trucking company is already building their defense.
Ida County and Iowa State Law Requirements:
In Iowa, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is two years from the date of the accident or death. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how serious your injuries.
Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing. This makes gathering evidence and proving truck driver negligence absolutely critical.
Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap compensatory damages for trucking accidents. Your full medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are recoverable. Punitive damages are also available when trucking companies act with reckless disregard for safety, though Iowa requires clear and convincing evidence of willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others.
The FMCSA Regulations That Protect You (And How Truckers Break Them)
Every 18-wheeler on American highways must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. When truck drivers and trucking companies violate these federal rules—and they do, constantly—they create dangerous conditions that cause catastrophic accidents. Proving FMCSA violations is often the key to establishing negligence and securing maximum compensation for Ida County victims.
The Six Critical Areas of Federal Trucking Law:
49 CFR Part 390 (General Applicability): Establishes that these regulations apply to all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,001 pounds, which includes virtually every truck on Ida County roads.
49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification Standards): Trucking companies must ensure drivers are medically qualified, hold valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), and have passed pre-employment drug tests. We subpoena Driver Qualification Files to check if the company hired unqualified drivers or failed to monitor their medical certifications. In Iowa’s agricultural zones, we’ve seen cases where drivers operated beyond their physical capabilities or without proper endorsements for oversized farm equipment.
49 CFR Part 392 (Driving of CMVs): Prohibits drivers from operating while their ability is impaired through fatigue, illness, or any other cause. It bans texting and hand-held mobile phone use while driving, requires proper following distance, and mandates adherence to speed limits. Iowa’s long, straight highways can lead to highway hypnosis and distraction—violations we prove through cell phone records and ECM data.
49 CFR Part 393 (Parts and Accessories): Mandates proper brake systems, lighting, and cargo securement. On Iowa’s rural roads, we’ve seen catastrophic failures when loads shift or brakes overheat on the few steep grades near the Loess Hills. Cargo securement violations are particularly common during harvest season when trucks haul grain and agricultural equipment.
49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): These are the most commonly violated regulations. Drivers of property-carrying vehicles:
- Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
- Must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- Cannot exceed 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days
Since December 18, 2017, drivers must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record driving time. ELD data proves whether drivers violated hours-of-service rules and were fatigued when they caused your accident on I-80 or Highway 59.
49 CFR Part 396 (Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance): Requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial vehicles. Drivers must complete pre-trip inspections and post-trip reports covering brakes, tires, lights, and steering. Brake failures cause approximately 29% of large truck crashes—failures that proper maintenance would have prevented.
The Devastating Accident Types We See on Ida County Roads
Every truck accident is unique, but certain patterns emerge on Iowa’s agricultural highways and interstates. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, investigating the specific accident dynamics to prove negligence.
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, it creates an impassable barrier across multiple lanes. On icy Iowa highways during winter storms, sudden braking or improper speed causes these accidents. We analyze ECM data to prove the driver was traveling too fast for conditions or applied brakes improperly, violating 49 CFR § 392.6 regarding speed for conditions.
Rollover Accidents
Top-heavy grain trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers on the curved ramps connecting to I-80 or when drivers overcorrect on rural roads. Improperly distributed cargo shifts the center of gravity, often violating 49 CFR § 393.100-136 cargo securement standards. These accidents typically result in crushing injuries or fatalities when the trailer lands on smaller vehicles.
Underride Collisions
When a car slides under the rear or side of a trailer, the roof is often sheared off at windshield level. While rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86 for trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, many trucks on Iowa roads have inadequate or damaged guards. Side underride guards are not federally mandated, creating deadly risks during lane changes on Highway 59.
Rear-End Collisions
A fully loaded truck needs 525 feet to stop from 65 mph—that’s 40% more distance than a passenger car needs. When distracted or fatigued drivers follow too closely on I-80 approaching Ida County’s exits, they violate 49 CFR § 392.11 and cause devastating rear-end crashes. We download ECM data to prove the driver failed to brake in time.
Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)
Agricultural equipment haulers and 18-wheelers making right turns often swing left first, creating a gap that tempts drivers to pass on the right. When the truck completes its turn, it crushes the vehicle in the blind spot. These accidents occur frequently at rural intersections near Ida Grove and Holstein.
Blind Spot Accidents
The “No-Zone” around trucks includes 20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and large areas along both sides—particularly the right side. Drivers who change lanes without checking mirrors cause sideswipe accidents that push smaller vehicles off Iowa’s narrow rural roads.
Tire Blowout Accidents
Heat buildup on long hauls, underinflated tires, or worn treads cause sudden failures. When steer tires blow out, drivers lose control instantly. We examine tire maintenance records to prove violations of 49 CFR § 393.75 and § 396.13 requiring proper tire inspection and maintenance.
Brake Failure Accidents
Worn brake pads, improper adjustments, or deferred maintenance cause catastrophic failures. On the hills approaching the Little Sioux River Valley, overheated brakes can fade completely. These cases involve systematic maintenance negligence under 49 CFR § 396.3.
Cargo Spill and Shift Accidents
During Iowa’s harvest season, improperly secured grain or equipment spills onto highways, causing secondary accidents. Shifting loads also cause rollovers when drivers navigate curves. We examine loading documents to determine if the cargo owner, loading company, or driver violated federal securement standards.
Every Party Who Could Owe You Money
Unlike a simple car crash where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler accidents involve a web of companies and individuals who all contributed to the dangerous conditions. We investigate every possible defendant because more liable parties means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.
The Truck Driver
Direct negligence includes speeding, distracted driving (texting, eating, using dispatch communications), fatigued driving beyond the 11-hour limit, impaired driving, or failure to inspect brakes and tires. We pursue their personal assets when insurance is insufficient.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. Additionally, trucking companies are directly liable for:
- Negligent Hiring: Failing to verify the driver’s CDL, medical certification, or accident history
- Negligent Training: Inadequate safety training on Iowa’s winter driving conditions or agricultural load handling
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor ELD compliance or address known violations
- Negligent Maintenance: Allowing trucks to operate with known brake deficiencies or tire wear
- Pressured Scheduling: Encouraging drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits to meet delivery schedules
Iowa law recognizes vicarious liability, meaning the trucking company is on the hook for their driver’s mistakes. But we don’t stop there—we dig into the company’s safety culture to prove direct negligence that warrants punitive damages.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Agricultural cooperatives or grain elevators that overload trucks or pressure drivers to rush during harvest season may be liable. We examine shipping contracts and loading instructions to prove they required unsafe practices.
The Loading Company
Third-party grain elevators or equipment yards that improperly distribute weight or fail to secure loads violate 49 CFR § 393.100. Unbalanced loads cause rollovers, particularly dangerous on Iowa’s rural bridges and elevated roadways.
Truck and Trailer Manufacturers
Defective brake systems, faulty coupling devices, or dangerous fuel tank placements that cause post-crash fires create product liability claims against manufacturers like Freightliner, Peterbilt, or trailer makers.
Parts Manufacturers
Defective brake components, tires prone to blowouts, or steering mechanisms that fail under load create separate claims against parts suppliers.
Maintenance Companies
Third-party shops that perform inspections and repairs but return vehicles to service with known defects—like worn brake pads or improper tire inflation—are liable for negligent repairs under 49 CFR § 396.
Freight Brokers
Companies like C.H. Robinson or Coyote Logistics that arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection. If they chose a carrier with a poor safety record or inadequate insurance to move goods through Ida County, they share the blame.
The Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)
In owner-operator arrangements, the individual who owns the truck may be liable for negligent entrustment if they allowed an unqualified driver to operate their vehicle.
Government Entities
Iowa DOT or Ida County may be liable for dangerous road design, inadequate signage warning of truck traffic, or failure to maintain roads. However, sovereign immunity limits and strict notice requirements apply—we must act quickly to preserve these claims.
The Evidence That Wins Cases (And Why It Disappears Fast)
The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their rapid-response investigators are photographing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and downloading ECM data to protect their interests—not yours. In Idaho County, evidence can vanish quickly, especially when winter weather washes away skid marks or farmers need to clear damaged crops from the roadway.
Critical Evidence We Preserve Immediately:
ECM/Black Box Data
The Engine Control Module and Event Data Recorder capture:
- Exact speed before and during the crash
- Brake application timing and force
- Throttle position and engine RPM
- Cruise control status
- Seatbelt usage
- GPS location history
This objective data often contradicts the driver’s claim that they “slowed down” or “hit the brakes immediately.” In one recent case, ECM data proved a truck was traveling 78 mph in a 65 mph zone when it rear-ended our client on I-80—directly contradicting the driver’s sworn statement.
ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Records
Since 2017, these tamper-resistant devices automatically record driver hours. We prove fatigue by showing violations of the 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour duty window, or 30-minute break requirements. The data also shows if the driver falsified paper logs before the ELD mandate.
Driver Qualification File
Federal law requires trucking companies to maintain files containing:
- Driving record and previous employer verification
- Medical examiner’s certificates
- Pre-employment and random drug test results
- Training records
Missing files or incomplete background checks prove negligent hiring—particularly critical when drivers have previous DUIs or accidents that should have barred them from operating CMVs in Iowa.
Maintenance and Inspection Records
Pre-trip inspection reports, annual inspection decals, and repair work orders reveal whether the company knew about defective brakes, worn tires, or lighting violations. Under 49 CFR § 396, these records must be retained for specific periods, but they can be “lost” if we don’t demand preservation immediately.
Cell Phone and Dispatch Records
We subpoena phone records to prove distracted driving—whether the driver was texting, calling, or using dispatch communications at the moment of impact. Dispatch records reveal if the company pressured the driver to violate hours-of-service rules to meet delivery deadlines.
Surveillance and Dashcam Footage
Many trucks have forward-facing and cab-facing cameras. Some Idaho County businesses also have security cameras covering highways. This footage gets overwritten in days or weeks. We send spoliation letters within hours to demand preservation.
The Spoliation Letter: Your Shield Against Evidence Destruction
Within 24 hours of being retained, we send formal preservation demands to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This letter puts them on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in severe sanctions, including adverse inference instructions (where the jury is told to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the defense), monetary penalties, or even default judgment.
Why 48 Hours Matters:
While Iowa law gives you two years to file suit, evidence has a much shorter lifespan. ECM data can overwrite in 30 days. ELD data is only required to be kept for 6 months. Businesses typically delete surveillance footage in 7-30 days. And witnesses’ memories fade within weeks.
If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident anywhere in Ida County, call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We offer free consultations and work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Catastrophic Injuries: The True Cost of Trucking Negligence
The physics of 80,000 pounds against 4,000 pounds creates catastrophic injuries that change lives forever. We’ve seen the devastation firsthand in Ida County cases involving jackknife accidents on icy I-80 and rollover crashes on rural highways. These aren’t “accidents”—they’re predictable results of trucking company negligence.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The force of a truck collision causes the brain to impact the inside of the skull, leading to concussions, contusions, or diffuse axonal injury. Moderate to severe TBI cases in our experience have settled for $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on long-term care needs and cognitive impairment. Victims may lose the ability to work, require 24/7 supervision, and face increased dementia risks.
Spinal Cord Injuries
From herniated discs requiring fusion surgery to complete paraplegia or quadriplegia, spinal injuries from truck accidents are devastating. We’ve recovered $4.7 million to $25.8 million for spinal cord injury victims, accounting for lifetime wheelchairs, home modifications, and lost earning capacity. The lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million in medical expenses alone.
Amputations
Crushing injuries often necessitate surgical amputation of limbs. Whether traumatic (severed at the scene) or surgical (due to infection or non-viable tissue), amputations result in $1.9 million to $8.6 million settlements in our experience, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining.
Severe Burns
Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills cause thermal or chemical burns requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Third and fourth-degree burns result in permanent scarring, infection risks, and psychological trauma.
Wrongful Death
When trucking negligence kills, surviving family members in Iowa can recover:
- Lost future income and benefits
- Loss of consortium and guidance
- Mental anguish
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pre-death pain and suffering
Our wrongful death trucking cases have resulted in recoveries ranging from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, providing financial security for families who lost breadwinners on Iowa’s highways.
As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We fight for every dime because your family deserves justice, not just a quick settlement that leaves you paying medical bills for decades.
The Insurance Battle: Why You Can’t Fight Alone
Trucking companies carry between $750,000 and $5 million in federal minimum liability insurance—far more than the $30,000 minimum required for passenger cars in Iowa. But accessing those policies requires knowing how trucking law works. That’s where 25 years of experience matters.
Federal law mandates specific coverage amounts:
- $750,000 for non-hazardous freight over 10,001 lbs
- $1,000,000 for oil, petroleum, or large equipment transport
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials or passenger carriers
Many carriers carry excess coverage or umbrella policies worth millions more. But insurance companies hire adjusters trained to minimize your claim from the moment the accident is reported. They use sophisticated software like Colossus to calculate lowball offers based on computer algorithms, not your actual suffering.
Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, used to work for these insurance companies. He knows exactly how they evaluate claims, when they’re bluffing, and when they’ll pay. He knows the scripts adjusters use to get you to say things that hurt your case. Now he uses that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.
Don’t accept the first offer. Don’t give a recorded statement. Don’t sign anything. Let us handle the trucking company and their insurance while you focus on healing.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis con Lupe Peña.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ida County 18-Wheeler Accidents
How long do I have to file an 18-wheeler accident lawsuit in Ida County?
In Iowa, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims. However, you should never wait. Evidence in trucking cases—black box data, ELD records, maintenance logs—can be destroyed within days or weeks. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
What if the truck driver or trucking company claims I was partially at fault?
Iowa follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. If you are found 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. We investigate thoroughly to minimize any attributed fault and prove the truck driver’s negligence caused the crash.
Who can be sued after an 18-wheeler accident in Ida County?
Multiple parties may be liable: the driver, trucking company, cargo owner, loading company, truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, maintenance company, freight broker, and even government entities for dangerous road conditions. We investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery.
How much are 18-wheeler accident cases worth?
Case values depend on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, available insurance coverage, and the degree of negligence. With federal minimum insurance of $750,000 to $5 million, catastrophic injury cases often settle for six or seven figures. We’ve recovered millions for TBI, spinal cord, amputation, and wrongful death cases.
What is a spoliation letter and why does it matter?
A spoliation letter is a legal notice demanding preservation of all evidence related to your accident, including ECM data, ELD logs, maintenance records, and driver files. We send these within 24 hours of being retained. Once sent, destroying evidence can result in court sanctions and adverse inferences against the trucking company.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
NO. Do not give recorded statements or sign anything without consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used against you. Let us handle all communications while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
We work on contingency—you pay absolutely nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs, expert witness fees, and court costs. The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect them. You deserve the same level of representation at no upfront cost to you.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Simple cases with clear liability may settle in 6-12 months. Complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed liability can take 1-3 years. We prepare every case for trial from day one, which often leads to faster, better settlements.
What if my loved one was killed in a trucking accident?
You may have a wrongful death claim. In Iowa, the estate’s executor or administrator, surviving spouse, children, or parents can bring these claims. You can recover damages for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, funeral expenses, and potentially punitive damages for gross negligence.
Can undocumented immigrants file injury claims in Iowa?
Yes. Immigration status does not prevent you from filing a personal injury claim. You have the same right to compensation as any other accident victim. We handle these cases confidentially and compassionately.
Your Fight Starts Now
The trucking company that hit you has teams of lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already building a case against you. The evidence is disappearing. And the clock is ticking on your two-year statute of limitations.
But you don’t have to fight alone.
At Attorney911, we have the experience, resources, and insider knowledge to take on the largest trucking companies and win. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of federal court experience. Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background. Multi-million dollar verdicts against Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola, and BP. And 251+ five-star Google reviews from clients who say we treat them like family, not case numbers.
One company said they would not accept Donald Wilcox’s case. Then he called us. As he said, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
Angel Walle told us, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
You deserve an attorney who fights for every dime you deserve. You deserve Attorney911.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free consultation. We answer 24/7. We advance all costs. And we don’t get paid unless you do.
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve trucking accident victims across the nation, including right here in Ida County, Iowa. We know the federal regulations that apply to every interstate carrier. We know the evidence that wins cases. And we know how to make trucking companies pay.
Don’t let them push you around. Push back harder with Attorney911.
1-888-ATTY-911
