18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Fighting for Poweshiek County Families

The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re driving along Interstate 80 near Grinnell, heading home after a long day. The next, an 80,000-pound grain truck runs a stoplight or loses control on the curve. In an instant, everything changes.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a trucking accident anywhere in Poweshiek County, you already know the devastation these crashes cause. You don’t need us to tell you how brutal the recovery is. You need to know how to fight back—and win.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and their insurers. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s taken on Fortune 500 corporations like BP in the Texas City explosion litigation and secured multi-million dollar verdicts for families just like yours. When an 18-wheeler changes your life in Poweshiek County, you need that level of firepower in your corner.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Poweshiek County Are Different

Let’s be honest about what you’re facing. A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds. Your car? Maybe 4,000 pounds. That’s not a collision—it’s a demolition.

The physics alone make these cases catastrophic. A truck traveling at 65 miles per hour needs nearly 525 feet to stop. That’s almost two football fields. When a driver is fatigued, distracted, or their brakes fail on the downhill slope near Montezuma, they can’t stop in time to avoid mangling your vehicle.

But here’s what makes trucking cases legally different from regular car wrecks: multiple parties can be held responsible.

Unlike a simple fender-bender where you might just exchange insurance with one driver, 18-wheeler accidents involve a web of corporate entities. The driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance shop, the parts manufacturer, the freight broker who arranged the haul—any or all of them might share blame for your injuries.

That’s why trucking companies carry between $750,000 and $5 million in insurance coverage under federal law. They know these accidents cause devastating harm, and they prepare for it. Unfortunately, they also prepare to fight you tooth and nail to protect that money.

Every trucking company has a rapid-response team. While you’re still in the hospital in Des Moines or Iowa City, their investigators are at the scene. They’re photographing evidence, downloading black box data, and coaching their driver on what to say. They’ve already called their lawyers. You need someone fighting just as hard for you.

Meet the Attorney911 Team: 25+ Years of Fighting for Trucking Accident Victims

Ralph Manginello didn’t just stumble into trucking litigation. For over two and a half decades, he’s made it his mission to hold commercial carriers accountable. Since founding Attorney911 (also known as The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC) in 2001, he’s built a reputation as a relentless advocate for catastrophic injury victims.

Ralph brings something most personal injury lawyers in Poweshiek County don’t have: federal court experience. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which matters because most trucking accidents involve interstate commerce and federal regulations. When your case requires navigating the complexities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, you want an attorney who knows his way around federal court.

In 2005, Ralph was one of the few Texas attorneys selected to represent victims of the BP Texas City Refinery explosion—a disaster that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more. That $2.1 billion litigation taught him how to take on multinational corporations and win. He brings that same tenacity to every 18-wheeler case in Poweshiek County.

But Ralph didn’t build this firm alone. Attorney Lupe Peña serves as our associate attorney, and he brings a weapon most plaintiffs’ firms lack: he used to defend insurance companies.

That’s right. Before joining Attorney911, Lupe worked for a national insurance defense firm. He spent years inside the system, learning exactly how adjusters evaluate claims, how they train their people to lowball victims, and what makes them open their checkbooks. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. As he told ABC13 Houston during our $10 million hazing lawsuit coverage, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”

Together, Ralph and Lupe have recovered over $50 million for clients across the United States, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries ($5+ million in one logging accident case), amputations ($3.8+ million for a car accident victim who developed complications), and wrongful death claims.

Our client Glenda Walker put it best: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s not just a tagline for us. It’s how we operate.

The 18-Wheeler Accident Types We Handle in Poweshiek County

Poweshiek County’s location along I-80 and its extensive agricultural economy creates unique trucking risks. We see different accident patterns here than in urban areas like Chicago or Dallas. Our team understands these local dynamics—and how to investigate them.

Jackknife Accidents on I-80

When an 18-wheeler’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, it creates a devastating barrier across the highway. These accidents often happen on the straight stretches of I-80 when drivers brake too hard on wet pavement or when their cargo shifts suddenly.

Jackknifes frequently lead to multi-vehicle pileups. If you’ve been caught in one of these chain-reaction crashes near the Grinnell exit, you know there’s nowhere to go when a 53-foot trailer blocks all lanes. We investigate whether the driver violated 49 CFR § 392.6 by speeding for conditions or 49 CFR § 393.100 by failing to properly secure their cargo.

Rollover Accidents on County Roads

Poweshiek County’s rural routes and farm-to-market roads can be treacherous for top-heavy trucks. When a driver takes a curve too fast near Montezuma or loses control on gravel shoulders, the result is often a rollover.

These crashes are particularly dangerous because they frequently spill fuel or cargo—sometimes hazardous agricultural chemicals—creating secondary dangers for first responders and other motorists. We examine whether the trucking company violated 49 CFR § 396.3 by failing to maintain proper vehicle stability, or if they overloaded the trailer beyond safe capacity under 49 CFR § 393.100.

Underride Collisions: The Most Deadly Crashes

Perhaps no trucking accident is more terrifying than an underride collision. When a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer, the roof of the car is often sheared off at windshield level. These wrecks are almost always fatal or cause catastrophic brain and spinal injuries.

Federal law requires rear impact guards under 49 CFR § 393.86, but many trailers have inadequate or damaged guards. Additionally, side underride guards are not federally mandated—though they should be. If you lost someone in an underride crash near Brooklyn or Malcom, we investigate not just the truck driver, but whether the trailer’s safety equipment met federal standards.

Rear-End Collisions on Highway 63

When an 18-wheeler rear-ends a passenger vehicle, the size disparity means your car gets pushed forward violently, often into other vehicles or off the road entirely. These accidents frequently happen on Highway 63 when truck drivers are following too closely, distracted by their phones, or simply too fatigued to react in time.

The Electronic Control Module (ECM) data usually proves the driver never braked—or braked too late. We immediately subpoena this data before it can be overwritten, as required under federal preservation standards.

Cargo Spills from Agricultural Trucks

Given Poweshiek County’s farming economy, we see numerous accidents involving grain trucks, feed haulers, and livestock transports. When these vehicles spill their cargo on I-80 or local roads, they create immediate hazards that cause secondary accidents.

These cases often involve complex liability questions. Was the grain elevator that loaded the truck responsible for overloading it? Did the driver violate weight limits under 49 CFR § 658? Did they secure the tarp properly under 49 CFR § 393.100? We investigate the entire chain of custody to determine who cut corners.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

The extreme heat of Iowa summers and the heavy loads of harvest season put serious stress on truck tires and brakes. When a steer tire blows out on I-80, the driver often loses immediate control. When brakes fail on the downhill approach to bridges, catastrophic collisions result.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.40-55 require proper brake maintenance, and 49 CFR § 396.11 mandates daily post-trip inspections. If a trucking company deferred maintenance to save money, we prove it through their maintenance records—records we demand be preserved immediately after your crash.

The 10 Liable Parties in Poweshiek County Trucking Accidents

Most lawyers just sue the driver and the trucking company. That’s a mistake. At Attorney911, we investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver

Obviously, the person behind the wheel is the first defendant. We examine their driving record, their training history, and whether they violated FMCSA regulations regarding hours of service (49 CFR § 395). If they were texting, impaired, or driving beyond their 11-hour limit, we hold them accountable under 49 CFR § 392.3.

2. The Trucking Company / Motor Carrier

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for their employees’ negligence. But we don’t stop there. We investigate whether the company engaged in:

• Negligent hiring: Did they check the driver’s record before hiring?
• Negligent training: Did they properly train them on cargo securement and safety protocols?
• Negligent supervision: Did they monitor the driver’s hours and behavior?
• Negligent maintenance: Did they skip brake repairs to save money?

The Driver Qualification File required under 49 CFR § 391.51 must contain employment applications, driving records, and medical certifications. We subpoena these files immediately.

3. The Cargo Owner / Shipper

In agricultural areas like Poweshiek County, grain elevators and feed companies often hire trucks to haul their product. If they demanded an overweight load or pressured the driver to meet an impossible deadline, they share liability.

4. The Cargo Loading Company

Was the grain properly distributed? Was the center of gravity too high? Under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. If the loader failed to brace the cargo or overloaded the trailer, they’re liable for resulting rollovers or spills.

5. The Truck Manufacturer

Defective brakes, faulty steering systems, or unstable trailer designs can cause accidents even when the driver does everything right. We investigate whether the manufacturer issued recalls or knew about dangerous defects.

6. The Parts Manufacturer

When a tire blows out due to manufacturing defects or brake components fail due to poor quality, the parts maker may be liable under product liability theories.

7. The Maintenance Company

Many trucking companies outsource maintenance to third-party shops. If a mechanic improperly adjusted the brakes or certified a truck as safe when it wasn’t, we hold them accountable under 49 CFR § 396.3.

8. The Freight Broker

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks must exercise reasonable care in selecting carriers. If they hired a company with a terrible safety record just because they were cheapest, they may share liability for negligent selection.

9. The Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)

In owner-operator arrangements, the person who owns the truck may have separate liability for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain the vehicle.

10. Government Entities

If dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or poor maintenance contributed to the accident, we explore claims against county or state road departments. However, these claims have strict notice requirements in Iowa, so time is critical.

Iowa Law: What Poweshiek County Accident Victims Must Know

The Clock Is Ticking: Iowa’s Statute of Limitations

In Iowa, you have just two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a lawsuit (Iowa Code § 614.1). This applies to both personal injury and wrongful death claims. Two years sounds like a long time, but in complex trucking cases, it’s not.

Evidence disappears fast. Black box data can be overwritten within 30 days. Driver logs are only required to be kept for six months under FMCSA regulations. Witnesses’ memories fade. The trucking company’s rapid-response team has already started building their defense.

We recommend contacting an attorney within days, not months. The sooner we can send a spoliation letter demanding preservation of evidence, the stronger your case will be.

Comparative Fault: The 51% Bar Rule

Iowa follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar (Iowa Code § 668.3). Here’s what that means for Poweshiek County residents:

If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you have $100,000 in damages but are found 20% at fault, you recover $80,000.

However—and this is critical—if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.

Trucking companies and their insurers love to blame victims. They’ll claim you were speeding, following too closely, or failed to avoid the crash. Don’t let them shift blame onto you. We fight these allegations with hard evidence from ECM data, ELD logs, and accident reconstruction.

Damage Caps: Iowa’s Approach

Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap compensatory damages in trucking accident cases. This means there is no arbitrary limit on your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

However, Iowa does have specific rules regarding punitive damages (damages meant to punish the defendant for willful misconduct). These require a higher burden of proof but are available in cases of gross negligence, such as when a trucking company knowingly allowed a dangerous driver to operate or falsified safety records.

Federal Regulations Apply Nationwide

Because commercial trucking involves interstate commerce, federal FMCSA regulations apply to every 18-wheeler on Poweshiek County roads, regardless of whether the truck is based in Iowa, Illinois, or Texas. These regulations are your friend—they provide objective standards that, when violated, prove negligence as a matter of law.

The Evidence That Wins Cases: Our 48-Hour Preservation Protocol

When you call Attorney911 after a Poweshiek County trucking accident, we swing into action immediately. We know that right now, while you’re reading this, the trucking company is working to protect themselves. We’re working to protect you.

The Spoliation Letter

Within 24 hours of being retained, we send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This letter puts them on legal notice that they must preserve:

Electronic Data:

• Engine Control Module (ECM) / “Black Box” data showing speed, braking, and steering
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records proving hours of service compliance
• GPS and telematics data tracking the truck’s route
• Dashcam and forward-facing camera footage
• Dispatch communications and Qualcomm messages

Driver Records:

• Complete Driver Qualification File
• Drug and alcohol test results
• Previous employer inquiries
• Medical certifications
• Training records

Vehicle Records:

• Maintenance and repair logs for the past year
• Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
• Tire replacement and brake adjustment records

Company Records:

• Hours of service logs for 6 months prior
• Safety policies and violation histories
• CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores

Once this letter is sent, destroying or altering this evidence constitutes spoliation, which can result in severe sanctions against the trucking company, including adverse inference instructions to the jury.

Why Timing Is Everything

• Black Box Data: Can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or with subsequent driving events
• ELD Data: FMCSA only requires 6-month retention, but we demand immediate preservation
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days if not flagged
• Surveillance Video: Local businesses near the crash scene (like those along Highway 6 or Main Street in Grinnell) typically overwrite footage within 30 days

While evidence preservation is critical, our immediate response also includes deploying accident reconstruction experts to the scene, photographing vehicle damage before it’s repaired, and interviewing witnesses before memories fade.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Recovery

18-wheeler accidents don’t cause simple whiplash. They cause life-altering trauma. At Attorney911, we understand that you’re not just looking for a check—you’re looking for the resources to rebuild your life.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The force of a trucking collision often causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull, resulting in concussions, contusions, or diffuse axonal injuries. Symptoms may not appear immediately but can include memory loss, personality changes, headaches, and cognitive deficits.

TBI cases require extensive future care planning. We’ve recovered $5 million and above for TBI victims, funds that provide for ongoing rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, and lifetime care.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When an 80,000-pound truck crushes a passenger compartment, spinal trauma often results in paraplegia or quadriplegia. These injuries require:

• Immediate surgical intervention
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Home modifications (wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms)
• Specialized vehicles and equipment
• Lifetime medical care

The lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury can exceed $5 million, which is why we fight so hard to maximize your recovery.

Amputations

Crushing injuries from trucking accidents sometimes require surgical amputation. Beyond the initial surgery, victims face:

• Prosthetic limbs ($5,000-$50,000 each, needing replacement every few years)
• Phantom limb pain management
• Occupational therapy
• Psychological counseling for body image and trauma

In one case, we secured $3.8 million for a client who suffered a partial leg amputation following complications from a car accident.

Severe Burns

When trucks carry hazardous agricultural chemicals or when fuel tanks rupture, victims suffer thermal or chemical burns. These require:

• Multiple skin graft surgeries
• Reconstructive procedures
• Treatment for contractures and scarring
• Ongoing pain management

Wrongful Death

If you’ve lost a spouse, parent, or child in a Poweshiek County trucking accident, Iowa law allows you to recover for:

• Lost future income and benefits
• Loss of consortium (companionship, guidance, support)
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses incurred before death

No amount of money replaces your loved one. But holding the trucking company accountable can bring justice and prevent similar tragedies.

Insurance Coverage: The Real Numbers

Federal law mandates that trucking companies carry substantial liability insurance:

But here’s the secret: Many carriers carry $1 million to $5 million in coverage, far above minimums. However, accessing those policies requires knowing how to navigate commercial insurance endorsements, MCS-90 endorsements, and umbrella policies.

Most trucking companies also carry MCS-90 endorsements, which guarantee payment to accident victims even if the carrier’s policy has exclusions. This is federal law under 49 CFR § 387, and it can be a lifeline when standard coverage falls short.

Frequently Asked Questions: Poweshiek County Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Poweshiek County?
Under Iowa law, you have two years from the date of the accident. However, critical evidence like black box data can be destroyed within 30 days. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 to preserve your rights.

The trucking company’s insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement. Should I give one?
Absolutely not. The adjuster is trained to ask questions that minimize your claim. They’ll use your words against you. As Chad Harris, one of our clients, learned, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We handle all insurance communications so you can focus on healing.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Iowa uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can still recover, though your damages will be reduced by your percentage of blame. But if you’re 51% or more at fault, you get nothing. Don’t let the trucking company blame you unfairly—let us prove what really happened using ECM data and expert reconstruction.

Who can be held liable besides the driver?
In agricultural areas like Poweshiek County, liable parties often include the grain elevator that overloaded the truck, the maintenance shop that ignored brake warnings, the freight broker who hired the cheapest carrier regardless of safety, and the trucking company that pressured the driver to violate hours-of-service rules.

How much is my case worth?
There’s no “average” settlement because every case involves unique factors: injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. However, trucking companies carry far more insurance than passenger vehicles—often $750,000 to $5 million. We’ve recovered substantial settlements for Poweshiek County clients, including multi-million dollar results for catastrophic injuries.

Will I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies can tell which lawyers are bluffing. Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney (Lupe Peña) who knows their playbook, and Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of federal court experience. When they know you’re ready for court, they offer better settlements.

How do I pay for a lawyer if I can’t work?
We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront—no retainer, no hourly fees, nothing. We advance all investigation costs. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. When we win, our fee comes from the settlement. As Donald Wilcox told us after another firm rejected his case, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Do you handle cases for Spanish-speaking families in Poweshiek County?
Sí. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

What is an Electronic Logging Device (ELD), and why does it matter?
ELDs are federally mandated devices that automatically record driving time to ensure compliance with Hours of Service regulations. This data proves whether the driver was fatigued, speeding, or violating safety rules. We demand this data immediately before it can be destroyed.

Can I sue if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Yes. Even owner-operators often operate under the trucking company’s authority, making the company vicariously liable. Additionally, we investigate whether the company exercised control over the driver and whether they conducted proper safety oversight.

What if the accident was caused by bad weather?
Truck drivers must adjust for conditions under 49 CFR § 392.14. If a driver continued operating at highway speeds during an Iowa blizzard or ice storm when they should have pulled over, they may be liable for failing to exercise extreme caution.

How quickly will you start investigating my case?
Immediately. We answer calls 24/7 at 888-ATTY-911. While other firms might take weeks to assign your case, we begin evidence preservation within hours. As our client Angel Walle noted, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Why Poweshiek County Residents Choose Attorney911

We’re not a billboard firm that treats you like a case number. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients nationwide including throughout Iowa. When you call Attorney911 for your Poweshiek County case, you get:

Direct Attorney Access: Ralph Manginello gives clients his cell phone. You’re not handed off to paralegals. As our client Dame Haskett said, “Ralph reached out personally.”

Inside Knowledge: Lupe Peña’s background defending insurance companies means he knows every tactic they’ll use against you. He exposes their lowball offers and fights for maximum compensation.

Federal Court Power: Most Iowa personal injury lawyers never set foot in federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the Southern District of Texas and regularly handles interstate trucking cases involving FMCSA regulations.

Trial Readiness: We prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies know we’re not bluffing when we say we’ll take your case to a Poweshiek County jury if they don’t offer fair value.

Multi-Million Dollar Results: We’ve recovered over $50 million for clients, including $5+ million for brain injury victims, $3.8+ million for amputation cases, and millions more for families devastated by trucking accidents.

Spanish-Language Services: Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation for Poweshiek County’s Hispanic community, particularly important for agricultural workers injured in the trucking industry.

Call Now: Evidence Is Disappearing While You Read This

The trucking company isn’t waiting. Their lawyers are working right now to minimize your claim. Their investigators have already visited the scene. Their insurance adjuster is looking for ways to deny responsibility.

You need an attorney who moves just as fast.

At Attorney911, we don’t just accept trucking accident cases—we fight them with everything we have. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience, Lupe Peña’s insurance defense insider knowledge, and our firm’s proven track record of multi-million dollar results give you the firepower to stand up to the trucking giants.

Remember: black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Witness memories fade in weeks. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-288-9911 for a free consultation.

Hablamos Español. Llame ahora al 888-ATTY-911 para tu consulta gratis.

The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we fight for every dime you deserve—just ask Glenda Walker, who said we “fought for me to get every dime I deserved,” or Chad Harris, who knows that at our firm, “You are FAMILY to them.”

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. We’ve got your back, Poweshiek County.

1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney911.com

Available 24/7 for trucking accident emergencies in Poweshiek County and throughout Iowa.