18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Dawson County, Nebraska

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

You’re driving west on I-80 through Dawson County, Nebraska, heading toward Lexington or maybe Gothenburg. The cornfields stretch for miles. Suddenly, a grain hauler drifts across the centerline, or an 18-wheeler loses control on black ice near the Platte River overpass. The impact is catastrophic. Your life changes in an instant.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a trucking accident anywhere in Dawson County—from Cozad to Lexington, from Gothenburg to the far reaches of the county—you’re facing a fight that started before the ambulance even arrived. The trucking company already has lawyers working to protect them. You need someone fighting just as hard for you.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and winning. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court and has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for families devastated by truck crashes, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death cases right here in Nebraska and across the country.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now. We answer 24 hours a day, and your consultation is free.

Why Dawson County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

The Physics of Devastation

An 18-wheeler isn’t just a bigger car. A fully loaded semi weighs up to 80,000 pounds. Your sedan weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. That’s a 20-to-1 weight advantage. When that mass hits you at 75 mph on I-80, the force is catastrophic.

The stopping distance tells the story too. A car needs about 300 feet to stop from highway speed. An 80,000-pound truck needs nearly 525 feet—almost two football fields. When traffic slows suddenly near the interchange at Highway 283 or through Cozad, that extra distance means the truck can’t stop in time.

The Regulatory Maze

Trucking companies operating in Dawson County must follow federal regulations under 49 CFR Parts 390-399. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. When truckers violate these rules, they put everyone on Nebraska’s highways at risk.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395): Federal law limits truck drivers to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Yet we see drivers pushing through fatigue on long hauls across Nebraska’s I-80 corridor, often pressured by tight delivery schedules to processing plants in Lexington or distribution centers serving the agricultural industry.

Cargo Securement Rules (49 CFR Part 393): Nebraska’s agricultural economy means heavy truck traffic hauling grain, livestock, and equipment. Federal regulations require cargo to be secured to withstand forces of 0.8g forward deceleration. When grain spills from an overloaded truck on Highway 21 or livestock shifts in a trailer on I-80, the resulting accidents often prove the trucking company violated these federal standards.

Vehicle Maintenance Requirements (49 CFR Part 396): Nebraska’s brutal winters—blizzards, black ice, extreme cold—take a toll on brake systems and tires. Federal law requires systematic inspection and maintenance. Brake failures cause approximately 29% of large truck crashes, and we often find Dawson County trucking companies deferred maintenance to save money.

The Nebraska Law You Need to Know

Four Years to Act—But Don’t Wait

Nebraska gives you four years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That’s longer than many states—Texas gives you only two years, for example. But waiting is dangerous.

Evidence disappears fast. The truck’s Event Data Recorder (EDR)—the “black box”—can overwrite data in as little as 30 days. Dashcam footage often gets deleted within a week. Witnesses’ memories fade. And the trucking company is already building their defense.

We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained, demanding preservation of critical evidence like:

• ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data showing hours of service
• ECM data proving speed and brake application
• Driver Qualification Files
• Maintenance records
• Dispatch communications

Modified Comparative Negligence: The 50% Rule

Nebraska follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 50% bar. This means you can recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you were found 30% responsible, you’d recover 70% of your damages. But if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.

This makes thorough investigation critical. The trucking company and their insurer will try to shift blame to you. We fight back with hard evidence from the black box, ELD data, and accident reconstruction.

Meet Your Dawson County Trucking Accident Team

Ralph Manginello: 25 Years of Fighting for Victims

Ralph P. Manginello founded Attorney911 in 2001, but he’s been practicing law since 1998. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and holds bar licenses in both Texas and New York. This dual licensure allows him to handle cases that cross state lines—a common issue in I-80 trucking accidents involving interstate commerce.

Ralph’s experience includes going up against the world’s largest corporations. He was involved in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation—the 2005 disaster that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more, resulting in over $2.1 billion in total industry-wide settlements. That same aggressive approach now protects Nebraska families.

As client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Insider

Here’s your advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for a national insurance defense firm. He spent years inside the system, watching how adjusters minimize claims and train their people to lowball victims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against them.

Lupe knows exactly what insurance companies look for when evaluating claims, how they spot weaknesses, and when they’re bluffing about their “final offer.” That experience translates directly into higher settlements for our clients.

Lupe is also a third-generation Texan fluent in Spanish. For Dawson County’s Hispanic community—and for Spanish-speaking truck drivers injured on the job—he provides direct representation without needing interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Three Offices, One Mission

While our roots are in Texas with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we handle trucking accident cases throughout the United States. For Dawson County clients, this means you get a firm with the resources to take on major trucking companies, combined with personalized attention.

We operate on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront—0%. We only collect our fee if we win your case. Standard rate is 33.33% pre-settlement, 40% if the case goes to trial. We advance all investigation costs and case expenses.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Dawson County

Winter Weather Crashes: Jackknife and Rollover

Nebraska’s winters are brutal. When a blizzard sweeps across I-80 or freezing rain creates black ice on Highway 283, 18-wheelers lose control. Jackknife accidents—where the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab—often block multiple lanes and cause pileups.

Rollovers occur when drivers take ramps too fast or encounter ice on curves. With a high center of gravity and loads shifting (especially liquid cargo or grain), the truck tips. These accidents commonly occur near the overpasses and interchanges around Lexington and Cozad during winter storms.

FMCSA Violations: These crashes often involve violations of 49 CFR § 392.6 (speeding for conditions) and § 392.3 (operating while fatigued). Truckers must adjust for weather conditions, yet many push through to meet delivery deadlines at agricultural processing facilities.

Agricultural Trucking Accidents

Dawson County sits in the heart of Nebraska’s corn and beef country. During harvest season, the roads fill with grain trucks, livestock haulers, and equipment transports heading to elevators and processing plants.

Overweight Loads: Agricultural trucks often push weight limits, especially during the fall rush. Overweight trucks require longer stopping distances and are prone to tire blowouts and brake failures.

Cargo Spills: Improperly secured grain or shifting livestock can cause rollovers or loss of control. Under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, cargo must be secured to prevent shifting. When loading companies cut corners, the results are catastrophic.

Wide Turn Accidents: Large agricultural equipment carriers making right turns often “swing wide” left before turning right. If you’re caught in that gap—sometimes called a “squeeze play” accident—you can be crushed between the truck and curb.

I-80 Fatigue-Related Crashes

Interstate 80 is a major transcontinental freight corridor. Long-haul truckers crossing Nebraska face monotonous stretches perfect for driver fatigue. When drivers exceed their 11-hour driving limit or skip their required 30-minute break after 8 hours, they become deadly threats.

Rear-end collisions on I-80 are often fatigue-related. The trucker doesn’t react in time to slowing traffic near construction zones or exits. Because an 18-wheeler needs 40% more stopping distance than a car, these impacts are devastating.

Evidence We Gather: We immediately subpoena ELD data to prove hours of service violations. Cell phone records show if the driver was texting or using dispatch communications instead of watching the road. This evidence builds the “fatigue” narrative that proves negligence.

Tire Blowout and Brake Failure Accidents

Nebraska’s extreme temperature swings—summer heat over 100°F and winter cold below zero—stress truck tires. Underinflated tires overheat and blow. Worn brake pads fail. When a steer tire blows at highway speed, the driver often loses control completely.

We investigate maintenance records and pre-trip inspection reports. Under 49 CFR § 396.11, drivers must prepare written post-trip reports on vehicle condition. If they knew about defects and ignored them—or if the company deferred maintenance to save money—we hold them accountable.

Underride Collisions

Some of the most horrific accidents occur when a car slides under the rear or side of a trailer. Rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86 for trailers manufactured after 1998, but many trucks on rural Nebraska routes lack side underride protection. These accidents are often fatal, causing decapitation or catastrophic head trauma.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Your Dawson County Truck Accident

Most law firms only sue the driver. We investigate all potentially liable parties because more defendants mean more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver: For negligent driving, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. We demand drug and alcohol test results (required under 49 CFR Part 382).

2. The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligence. Plus, we look for negligent hiring (did they check the driver’s record?), negligent training, and negligent supervision. A Lexington trucking company with a pattern of hours-of-service violations faces punitive damages.

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If a grain elevator overloaded a truck or a livestock company demanded rushed delivery that forced HOS violations, they share liability.

4. The Loading Company: When improperly secured grain shifts or livestock trailers are loaded unevenly, the company that loaded the cargo may be liable under 49 CFR § 393.

5. Truck/Trailer Manufacturer: If defective brakes, faulty coupling systems, or inadequate underride guards caused the crash, we pursue product liability claims.

6. Parts Manufacturer: Defective tires or brake components can trigger claims against component makers.

7. Maintenance Company: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs or inspections may be liable.

8. Freight Broker: Brokers who arranged transportation using carriers with poor safety records or inadequate insurance may face negligent selection claims.

9. Truck Owner: In owner-operator situations, separate from the motor carrier, liability may fall on the vehicle owner.

10. Government Entities: If poor road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain I-80 contributed to the crash, state or county agencies may share responsibility (though damage caps and sovereign immunity rules apply).

Catastrophic Injuries Require Maximum Compensation

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The force of an 18-wheeler impact often causes TBI, even without direct head trauma. The brain ricochets inside the skull. Symptoms include headaches, memory loss, confusion, mood changes, and cognitive deficits. Severe TBI requires lifelong care costing millions.

Settlement Range: $1,548,000 to $9,838,000+ depending on severity and lifelong care needs.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

When an 80,000-pound truck crushes a passenger compartment, spinal injuries result. Paraplegia (loss of function below the waist) or quadriplegia (loss of all four limbs) changes everything. Lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million.

Settlement Range: $4,770,000 to $25,880,000+ for paralysis cases.

Amputation

Crushing injuries in trucking accidents sometimes require surgical amputation. Beyond the initial trauma, victims face prosthetics ($5,000-$50,000+ each), rehabilitation, and permanent disability.

Settlement Range: $1,945,000 to $8,630,000.

Wrongful Death

When a trucking accident takes a loved one, Nebraska law allows wrongful death claims. Recoverable damages include lost future income, loss of companionship, mental anguish for survivors, funeral expenses, and punitive damages if the trucking company acted with gross negligence.

Settlement Range: $1,910,000 to $9,520,000+ depending on decedent’s earning capacity and dependents.

The Evidence That Wins Cases

We don’t just investigate—we preserve evidence before it disappears.

• Black Box/ECM Data: Records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. Can prove the driver was speeding or never hit the brakes.
• ELD Records: Prove hours of service violations—if the driver was on hour 13 when they should have stopped at hour 11.
• Driver Qualification Files: Show if the company properly vetted the driver’s CDL, medical certification, and safety record.
• Maintenance Records: Reveal deferred brake repairs or overdue tire replacements.
• Cell Phone Records: Prove distraction—texting or calling while driving violates 49 CFR § 392.82.
• Witness Statements: We locate and interview witnesses before memories fade.

As client Donald Wilcox 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.”

We take cases other firms reject because we have the resources and expertise to win.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dawson County Truck Accidents

How much insurance do trucking companies carry?

Federal law requires minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and large equipment, and $5 million for hazardous materials. Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more. This higher coverage means catastrophic injuries can actually be compensated.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Nebraska?

Four years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims. Two years for wrongful death. But waiting risks losing evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.

What if the truck driver says I was at fault?

Nebraska uses modified comparative negligence (50% bar). If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your fault percentage. We gather evidence to prove the truck driver was primarily responsible.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know Ralph Manginello has the federal court experience and trial skills to take cases all the way—which motivates better settlement offers.

Can I afford an attorney?

Absolutely. We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs. The trucking company’s lawyers are already working. You deserve the same.

Client Stories: Real Results for Real People

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

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

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

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

These aren’t just reviews—they’re proof that when trucking companies hit you, we hit back harder.

Your Next Step: Call Attorney911 Today

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to minimize what they pay you. Evidence is being deleted. Memories are fading. Every hour you wait makes your case harder to prove.

You have four years to file, but you have only days to preserve critical evidence.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win.

Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years making trucking companies pay for the devastation they cause. With Attorney911, you get a team that includes a former insurance defense attorney who knows their playbook. You get a firm that’s recovered over $50 million for injury victims. You get a fighter who treats you like family, not a case number.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. We push back.

Hablamos Español. For Spanish-speaking truck accident victims in Dawson County, ask for Lupe Peña. He provides direct representation without interpreters.

1-888-ATTY-911
Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Win

Attorney911 serves trucking accident victims throughout Dawson County, Nebraska, including Lexington, Cozad, Gothenburg, and all surrounding areas. We handle cases on Interstate 80, Highway 283, Highway 21, and all Dawson County roads.