18-Wheeler & Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys in Warren County

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

One moment you’re driving through Warren County on Interstate 80, heading toward Des Moines or cruising past the fields near Indianola. The next moment, an 80,000-pound semi-truck invades your lane, runs a stoplight on US-65, or loses control on an icy stretch near the river bottoms.

It happens fast. Too fast. And your life changes forever.

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Warren County, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a team that understands the unique dangers of Iowa’s trucking corridors, the aggressive tactics of commercial insurance companies, and the federal regulations that govern every semi on the road. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for truck accident victims across Iowa and beyond. We know what you’re up against, and we know how to win.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Warren County Truck Accidents Are Different

Warren County isn’t just another dot on the map—it’s a critical hub in Iowa’s agricultural and commercial transportation network. Located just south of Des Moines, our county sees thousands of heavy trucks every day hauling grain from the elevator in Milo, transporting livestock through the rolling hills, and carrying goods on I-80, one of the busiest freight corridors in America.

But these aren’t ordinary car crashes. When an 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the physics are devastating. Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. That fully loaded semi might weigh 20 times that much. The force of impact doesn’t just cause injuries—it causes catastrophic, life-altering trauma.

We know the specific risks you face here. We understand how Iowa’s harsh winters create black ice on I-80 that can send a big rig jackknifing across multiple lanes. We’re familiar with the agricultural traffic on US-69 that mixes slow-moving farm equipment with impatient truckers trying to make delivery deadlines. And we know that Warren County’s mix of rural highways and busy interstate traffic creates unique blind spots and wide-turn hazards that lead to devastating underride and override accidents.

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been handling these complex cases since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court, which matters because most commercial trucking cases involve interstate commerce and federal regulations. When you’re facing a trucking company with a team of lawyers and a multi-million dollar insurance policy, you want someone who has successfully taken on Fortune 500 corporations and knows how to navigate the federal courtroom.

The Insurer’s Worst Nightmare: Our Former Insurance Defense Attorney

Here’s what most Warren County truck accident victims don’t know: the insurance adjuster calling you has been trained specifically to minimize your claim. They know exactly how to ask questions that trick you into saying something they can use against you. They want you to settle fast and cheap, before you realize the full extent of your injuries.

That’s why our firm includes associate attorney Lupe Peña—and that’s your secret weapon. Lupe used to work for a national insurance defense firm. He spent years sitting in those same strategy meetings where adjusters plot how to pay injured people less than they deserve. He knows their playbook. He knows when they’re bluffing, and he knows exactly what evidence will force them to pay top dollar.

As Lupe will tell you, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for families right here in Warren County.

Hablamos Español. For our Spanish-speaking neighbors in Warren County’s growing Hispanic community, Lupe provides direct representation without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Understanding Iowa’s Trucking Landscape

To build a winning case, you need a lawyer who knows the territory. Warren County sits at the intersection of major freight movement in central Iowa:

Interstate 80 cuts through the northern part of the county, carrying transcontinental freight from the Port of Los Angeles all the way to New Jersey. This is one of the busiest trucking corridors in America, and accidents here often involve out-of-state carriers unfamiliar with Iowa weather patterns.

Interstate 35 runs north-south just west of the county line, connecting Kansas City to Des Moines and Minneapolis. This is a major agricultural freight route, with trucks hauling everything from fertilizer to finished meat products.

US Route 65 brings traffic from the southern part of the state through Indianola and into Des Moines. The mix of local traffic and interstate commerce creates dangerous merging conditions, especially near the exits for Warren County’s industrial areas.

US Route 69 serves the eastern portion of the county, where we’ve seen an increase in cargo spill accidents involving grain trucks and livestock haulers.

The combination of high-speed interstate traffic, agricultural hauling on rural roads, and Iowa’s notorious winter weather creates perfect conditions for disaster. When you add in pressure from trucking companies to meet tight delivery schedules, you get drivers who are fatigued, distracted, or simply driving too fast for conditions.

We’ve seen it all here. And we know how to prove it.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Warren County

Not all trucking accidents are the same, and each type requires a specific investigative approach. These are the cases we see most often in Warren County and the surrounding Des Moines metro area:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, creating an uncontrolled hazard that wipes out everything in its path. These are especially common on I-80 during winter storms, when sudden braking on black ice causes the trailer to lose traction.

The physics are simple but brutal: once a trailer starts sliding, the driver can’t recover. These accidents often involve multiple vehicles, and the injuries are catastrophic.

Why they happen:

• Sudden braking on slick surfaces (violation of 49 CFR § 392.6—speeding for conditions)
• Improper brake adjustment (49 CFR § 393.48)
• Following too closely (49 CFR § 392.11)
• Driver fatigue causing delayed reaction (49 CFR § 392.3)

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most deadly type of truck accident, underrides occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer. The trailer height often shears off the roof of the car, resulting in decapitation or severe head trauma.

Warren County’s mix of highway speeds on US-65 and rural intersections creates dangerous conditions for side underrides when trucks make wide turns or lane changes.

Federal regulations violated:

• 49 CFR § 393.86 (rear impact guards required on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998)
• Inadequate lighting or reflectors (49 CFR § 393.11-26)
• Improper lane changes (49 CFR § 392.82)

Rollover Accidents

Iowa’s wind-swept plains and the rolling topography of Warren County create unique rollover risks. High-profile trailers can be blown over in crosswinds on I-80, and tanker trucks carrying liquid cargo can experience “slosh” that shifts the center of gravity on curves near the Des Moines River.

Common causes:

• Improperly secured cargo (49 CFR § 393.100-136)
• Speeding on curves (49 CFR § 392.6)
• Overloaded vehicles (49 CFR § 393.100)
• Driver fatigue leading to overcorrection

Rear-End Collisions

An 18-wheeler traveling at interstate speeds needs nearly 525 feet to stop—almost two football fields. When a truck driver is distracted by a cell phone, fatigue, or dispatch communications, they can’t stop in time when traffic slows on I-80 near the Indianola exits.

The result is a massive rear-end collision that crushes smaller vehicles. The injuries typically include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and internal organ trauma.

FMCSA violations we look for:

• 49 CFR § 392.11 (following too closely)
• 49 CFR § 392.82 (mobile phone use)
• 49 CFR § 395 (hours of service violations causing fatigue)

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

Trucks making deliveries to Warren County’s agricultural facilities or the industrial parks near Des Moines often need to swing wide to navigate tight turns. When they swing left before turning right, they create a trap for passenger cars that gets crushed when the truck completes its turn.

These accidents are particularly common at rural intersections where drivers may not expect a truck to need extra space.

Cargo Spill and Shifting Load Accidents

Warren County’s economy relies on agricultural shipping. When grain haulers or livestock trucks fail to secure their cargo properly, the results can be devastating. Shifting loads can cause rollover accidents on I-80 ramps, while spilled grain creates slick surfaces that lead to multi-vehicle pileups.

Federal regulations require specific securement standards under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, yet we see violations constantly—often because companies prioritize speed over safety.

All the Parties We Can Hold Responsible

Most people think you can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking company wants you to think. In reality, commercial truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, each with their own insurance policies. More defendants means more insurance coverage available for your recovery.

Here are the parties we investigate in every Warren County trucking case:

The Truck Driver
Obviously the primary defendant, but often judgment-proof personally. We examine their driving record, hours of service logs (ELD data), cell phone records, and drug/alcohol test results. Under 49 CFR § 391.11, drivers must be medically qualified and properly licensed—violations prove negligence.

The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
This is usually the big-money defendant. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, companies are responsible for their employees’ negligence. We also look for:

• Negligent hiring: Did they check the driver’s background? (49 CFR § 391.51 requires Driver Qualification Files)
• Negligent training: Did they properly train the driver on safety procedures?
• Negligent supervision: Did they monitor hours of service compliance?
• Negligent maintenance: Did they keep the vehicle safe? (49 CFR § 396)

The Cargo Owner/Shipper
When a grain elevator overloads a truck or fails to properly secure cargo, they share liability. We subpoena shipping contracts and loading instructions.

The Loading Company
Third-party loaders who improperly distribute weight or fail to use proper tiedowns violate 49 CFR § 393.100. They can be held directly responsible for accidents caused by shifting loads.

The Truck or Parts Manufacturer
Defective brakes, tires, or steering components can lead to product liability claims against manufacturers. We preserve failed components for expert analysis and check for recall notices.

The Maintenance Company
If a third-party mechanic performed negligent repairs or failed to identify critical safety issues, they’re liable under 49 CFR § 396.3.

The Freight Broker
Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection—hiring a carrier with a poor safety record or inadequate insurance.

Government Entities
In limited circumstances, if dangerous road design or lack of signage contributed to the crash, we may pursue claims against state or local agencies—though sovereign immunity creates special challenges in Iowa.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency

Here’s what keeps us up at night: evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company’s lawyers know it. They have rapid-response teams on the scene before the ambulance even leaves. Their goal? Protect their interests, not yours.

Critical timelines:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Can be overwritten in 30 days or with new driving events
• ELD Logs: May only be retained for 6 months under FMCSA rules
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
• Surveillance Video: Business cameras typically overwrite in 7-30 days
• Witness Memories: Fade within weeks

That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. This formal legal notice puts the trucking company on notice that they must preserve:

• Engine Control Module (ECM) data showing speed, braking, and throttle position
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records proving hours of service violations
• Driver Qualification Files (CDL, medical certifications, training records)
• Maintenance and inspection logs
• Dispatch communications and GPS data
• Cell phone records
• The physical truck itself

Once we send that letter, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation”—a serious legal violation that can result in court sanctions, adverse inference instructions (where the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable), or even default judgment.

Don’t wait. The clock started ticking the moment the impact occurred. Call 888-ATTY-911 today.

Iowa Law: What You Need to Know

Every state has different rules, and Iowa’s laws create both opportunities and deadlines for Warren County truck accident victims.

Statute of Limitations: Two Years
In Iowa, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Iowa Code § 614.1). If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to recover forever—no matter how catastrophic your injuries or how clear the trucking company’s fault.

But waiting is dangerous for another reason: evidence. The sooner you hire us, the sooner we can send preservation letters, inspect the truck before repairs, and secure witness statements while memories are fresh.

Modified Comparative Negligence: The 51% Bar
Iowa follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a Warren County jury awards you $1 million but finds you 20% at fault because you were speeding, you would recover $800,000. But if you’re found 51% at fault, you recover nothing.

The trucking company and their insurer will try to blame you. They’ll claim you were in their blind spot, that you cut them off, or that you were speeding. Their lawyers are trained to shift blame. Our job is to gather the objective evidence—ECM data, ELD logs, and reconstruction analysis—that proves what actually happened.

Punitive Damages
Iowa allows punitive damages when the defendant’s conduct shows “willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of another.” This is rare, but in cases where a trucking company knowingly put a dangerous driver on the road, destroyed evidence, or falsified logs, we pursue punishment damages to deter future misconduct.

No Damage Caps for Most Cases
Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases (though there are caps on certain malpractice claims). This means your full economic and non-economic damages are recoverable.

The Injuries We See—and the Compensation You Deserve

18-wheeler accidents don’t just cause injuries—they cause catastrophic, permanent damage. We’ve represented Warren County families dealing with:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
From concussions to severe brain damage, TBIs can affect memory, cognition, personality, and independence. Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million. We’ve recovered settlements in the $1.5 million to $9.8 million range for TBI victims.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Quadriplegia and paraplegia require lifelong care, home modifications, and loss of earning capacity. These are among the most expensive injuries, with lifetime costs often reaching $5 million or more. Our settlements for spinal injuries have ranged from $4.7 million to $25.8 million.

Amputations
Whether traumatic amputation at the scene or surgical removal due to crush injuries, losing a limb changes everything. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and psychological trauma create ongoing challenges. We’ve secured $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims.

Severe Burns
Common in fuel tank ruptures or hazmat spills, burns require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and leave permanent scarring. The pain is excruciating and the psychological trauma lasts a lifetime.

Wrongful Death
When a truck accident takes a loved one, surviving family members can recover for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. While no amount of money replaces a life, we’ve recovered $1.9 million to $9.5 million to ensure families are financially secure and that trucking companies pay for their negligence.

Economic Damages Available:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages and benefits
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Life care costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

The Insurance Reality
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry significant insurance:

• $750,000 minimum for non-hazardous freight
• $1 million for oil and large equipment
• $5 million for hazardous materials

Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more. This isn’t like a regular car accident with a $30,000 policy. There is real money available—but only if you know how to access it. That’s where our 25 years of experience makes the difference.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Warren County

If you’re reading this from a hospital bed or while caring for an injured loved one, here are the immediate steps:

Immediate Actions:

1. Call 911 and report the accident
2. Seek medical attention immediately—even if you feel okay (adrenaline masks injuries)
3. If possible, photograph everything: the truck, your vehicle, the scene, your injuries
4. Get the truck driver’s information, CDL number, and company details
5. Get witness contact information
6. Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company
7. Call Attorney911 at (888) 288-9911

Critical Evidence to Gather:

• Truck company name and DOT number
• Driver’s logbook (before it’s falsified)
• Names of all witnesses
• Photos of skid marks and debris
• Police report

Client Success Stories

We don’t just talk about results—we deliver them. Here’s what real clients say:

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” — Chad Harris

“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.” — Donald Wilcox

“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” — Glenda Walker

“Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” — Ernest Cano

“I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” — Kiimarii Yup

“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” — Angel Walle

As client Mongo Slade said after his trucking accident case: “I was rear-ended and the team got right to work… I also got a very nice settlement.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Warren County Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In Iowa, you have two years from the accident date. But don’t wait—evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company is already building their defense.

Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and the trucking company’s insurance coverage. With commercial policies starting at $750,000 and often exceeding $5 million, trucking cases typically yield far higher settlements than car accidents.

Will my case go to trial?
Most settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your attorney is willing to go to court.

How do you prove the driver was fatigued?
We subpoena ELD data (Electronic Logging Devices) that track driving hours under 49 CFR § 395. These devices prove when the driver exceeded the 11-hour driving limit or failed to take required breaks.

What if the trucking company is from out of state?
We handle that regularly. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and licensed in multiple states. Interstate trucking cases often belong in federal court, and we’re equipped to handle them.

Do I have to pay upfront?
Absolutely not. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs and are only paid from your recovery.

Do you handle Spanish-speaking cases?
Yes. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters.

The Attorney911 Difference

When you hire us, you’re getting:

• Ralph Manginello: 25+ years of experience, federal court admission, BP Texas City explosion litigation experience, multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements
• Lupe Peña: Former insurance defense attorney who knows how to beat the insurance companies at their own game
• Three offices: Houston (main), Austin, and Beaumont—serving clients nationwide with remote consultations for Warren County residents
• 24/7 availability: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime
• Contingency fees: 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary—you pay nothing upfront

We’ve recovered over $50 million for our clients, including:

• $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim (falling log case)
• $3.8+ million for a car accident amputation case
• $2.5+ million for truck crash recoveries
• $2+ million for a maritime back injury
• Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major university

Call the Warren County Truck Accident Lawyers Today

The trucking company that hit you has lawyers working right now to minimize what they pay you. They have investigators, adjusters, and rapid-response teams. They’re not waiting, and neither should you.

At Attorney911, we know what you’re going through. We’ve helped hundreds of families through the same nightmare. We’ll handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now.

The consultation is free. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. And we speak Spanish.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Let’s fight back together.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Warren County and throughout Iowa
25+ Years Fighting for Truck Accident Victims