18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Colfax County, Nebraska

When Agricultural Trucks and Highway Traffic Collide on Colfax County Roads

The cornfields of Colfax County stretch for miles along US-30, and the platte river valley sees thousands of agricultural trucks hauling grain and livestock through Schuyler, Clarkson, and Howells every harvest season. When an 80,000-pound semi meets a family sedan at the intersection of US-77 and NE-15, the physics aren’t fair—and neither are the trucking companies that rush lawyers to the scene before the ambulance arrives.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent 25 years fighting for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. Ralph Manginello has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998, and our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years inside the insurance defense industry before joining our team. That insider knowledge—knowing exactly how adjusters minimize claims—gives Colfax County families an unfair advantage against billion-dollar carriers.

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident anywhere in Colfax County—from the grain elevators in Leigh to the highways near the Platte River—you need a legal team that moves fast. Black box data from the truck’s ECM can be overwritten in 30 days. Spoliation letters must be sent immediately. And the trucking company is already building their defense.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. We handle trucking cases throughout Nebraska, and we know the agricultural corridors of Colfax County. You pay nothing unless we win.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Colfax County Are Different

The Agricultural Trucking Reality

Colfax County sits in the heart of Nebraska’s corn belt, and the trucking industry here isn’t just about interstate commerce—it’s about feeding America. During harvest season, the roads around Schuyler see massive volumes of grain trucks, livestock haulers, and agricultural equipment transporters. These aren’t just big trucks; they’re often older vehicles operating on tight margins with drivers working long hours during planting and harvest windows.

The weight disparity is staggering. A fully loaded grain truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, while your passenger vehicle weighs around 4,000 pounds. That’s a 20-to-1 ratio. When these vehicles collide on the rural roads of Colfax County—where US-30 runs through town and state highways like NE-91 connect to the interstate system—the result is often catastrophic.

Ralph Manginello understands this landscape. With federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas and experience litigating against Fortune 500 companies like BP in the Texas City explosion, he brings big-firm resources to family-focused representation in Colfax County. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for injury victims, including multiple multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries and amputations.

Nebraska Law and Your Recovery

Colfax County operates under Nebraska’s specific legal framework. You have four years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit—longer than many states, but waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and trucking companies destroy records.

Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. This means you can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault, but if you’re found 50% or more responsible, you recover nothing. If you’re 30% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 30%. Insurance companies know this rule and use it aggressively to shift blame onto victims.

This is why Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney matters so much for Colfax County cases. He knows the playbook—they’ll claim you were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield on those rural intersections. We counter with black box data, ECM recordings, and FMCSA violations that prove the truck driver or company was at fault.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Colfax County

Jackknife Accidents on Wet Surfaces

Colfax County sees its share of weather challenges—ice storms in winter, spring flooding from the Platte River, and sudden summer thunderstorms. When an 18-wheeler jackknifes on US-30 near Schuyler or on the county roads connecting to NE-15, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often blocking both lanes and creating a devastating barrier.

Jackknives typically occur when:

• A truck driver brakes suddenly on wet or icy pavement
• The trailer is empty or lightly loaded (common with agricultural returns)
• Cargo shifts during transport
• The driver is fatigued and overcorrects

We investigate these accidents immediately, pulling ECM data to prove excessive speed for conditions or improper braking technique. As client Glenda Walker said after we handled her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We bring that same determination to Colfax County jackknife cases.

Rollover Accidents on Rural Roads

The rural highways of Colfax County—like the routes connecting Leigh to Clarkson—often feature soft shoulders, sharp turns, and limited visibility. When a grain truck or livestock hauler rolls over, it’s often due to:

• Speeding on curves: FMCSA regulations require drivers to adjust speed for conditions (49 CFR § 392.6), but harvest season pressure leads to violations
• Improperly loaded cargo: Grain shifts, livestock moves, and the center of gravity changes
• Driver fatigue: Hours of Service violations (49 CFR Part 395) are rampant during planting and harvest

Rollovers often result in multi-vehicle pileups when the truck blocks the roadway. We’ve recovered between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation cases and $1.5 million to $9.8 million for traumatic brain injuries—precisely the types of catastrophic injuries common in rollover accidents.

Underride Collisions—The Deadliest Crashes

When a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler, the results are often fatal. Rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, but many agricultural trailers lack proper side underride protection. These accidents typically happen at:

• Intersections on US-77 where trucks turn wide
• Stopped traffic on US-30 through Schuyler
• Low visibility conditions during Nebraska fog or snow

The devastation is immediate. We’d rather prevent these through proper litigation than see another Colfax County family destroyed by a preventable underride.

Rear-End Collisions

A loaded semi traveling 65 mph needs 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. On the straight stretches of highway around Colfax County, following too closely (49 CFR § 392.11) causes devastating rear-end collisions. When a truck driver is distracted by dispatch communications, fatigued from violations of the 11-hour driving limit (49 CFR § 395.3), or simply driving too fast for traffic conditions, they can’t stop in time.

These accidents cause whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage. The $750,000 minimum insurance required for non-hazardous freight often isn’t enough for the medical care needed after these collisions.

Cargo Spills and Shifts

Agricultural trucking creates unique hazards. When grain spills across US-30, when livestock escape onto NE-15, or when equipment falls from a flatbed near Howells, the trucking company and cargo loader may be liable under 49 CFR Parts 393.100-136 (cargo securement regulations).

Cargo securement requires:

• Proper tiedown strength (working load limits must equal 50% of cargo weight)
• Blocking and bracing adequate for 0.8g deceleration forces
• Regular inspections during transport

When these rules are violated—often because_loaders rush during harvest—we hold the cargo owner, loading company, and trucking company accountable.

FMCSA Violations That Prove Negligence in Colfax County Cases

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR) govern every 18-wheeler on Colfax County roads. When trucking companies violate these rules, we use that evidence to prove negligence.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

The most common violation in agricultural areas involves hours of service. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to:

• 11 hours maximum driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window (cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour)
• 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70 hour weekly limits (60 hours in 7 days or 70 in 8)

During planting and harvest, drivers often violate these rules to get crops to market. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) record this data, but we must act fast—ELD data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days.

Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391)

Trucking companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files proving their drivers are:

• At least 21 years old for interstate commerce
• Physically qualified under medical examiner certification
• Properly trained and licensed with a valid CDL
• Cleared through pre-employment drug testing (49 CFR Part 382)

When companies hire unqualified drivers—common in agricultural operations that use seasonal labor—we pursue claims for negligent hiring and supervision. These violations often support punitive damages claims.

Vehicle Maintenance Neglect (49 CFR Part 396)

Brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting violations cause countless accidents on Colfax County roads. Federal law requires:

• Pre-trip inspections (49 CFR § 396.13)
• Post-trip inspection reports (49 CFR § 396.11)
• Annual inspections (49 CFR § 396.17)
• Systematic maintenance and repair records

Brake problems contribute to 29% of truck crashes. When a trucking company defers maintenance to save money during tight margins, they’re liable for the catastrophic results.

Drug and Alcohol Violations (49 CFR §§ 392.4-5)

Commercial drivers cannot operate with a BAC of .04% or higher—half the limit for regular drivers. They cannot use Schedule I substances or operate while impaired. Post-accident testing is required within specific timeframes, and we demand these results immediately.

Every Party Who Could Owe You Money

Unlike regular car accidents, 18-wheeler crashes involve multiple defendants. We investigate every potential source of recovery:

The Driver: For negligence, distraction, impairment, or fatigue
The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior (vicarious liability) and for negligent hiring, training, or supervision
The Cargo Owner/Shipper: For improper loading instructions or pressuring unsafe schedules
The Loading Company: For 49 CFR Part 393 cargo securement violations
The Truck Manufacturer: For defective brakes, steering, or stability systems
Parts Manufacturers: For defective tires, airbags, or safety equipment
The Maintenance Company: For negligent repairs or skipped inspections
The Freight Broker: For negligent carrier selection (hiring unsafe trucking companies)
The Truck Owner: For negligent entrustment (if different from the carrier)
Government Entities: For dangerous road design or maintenance failures (sovereign immunity limits apply)

Each defendant carries separate insurance policies. While Nebraska requires only $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, many agricultural operations carry $1-5 million in coverage. By identifying all liable parties, we maximize your recovery.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

Why Every Hour Matters

Trucking companies deploy rapid-response teams immediately after a crash. Their lawyers arrive before the highway patrol finishes the accident sketch. Their goal: minimize liability.

Within 48 hours of a Colfax County trucking accident, critical evidence can disappear:

• ECM/Black box data: Overwrites in 30 days or with subsequent driving events
• ELD logs: FMCSA requires only 6 months retention—unless we demand preservation
• Dashcam footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
• Driver cell phone records: Must be subpoenaed before deletion
• Maintenance records: Can be “updated” to hide deferred repairs

The Spoliation Letter

Within 24 hours of being retained, we send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This legal notice creates a duty to preserve:

• Electronic data (ECM, ELD, GPS, Qualcomm)
• Driver Qualification Files
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Dispatch logs and hours of service records
• Drug and alcohol test results
• Physical evidence (the truck itself)

If a defendant destroys evidence after receiving our letter, courts can impose sanctions, adverse inference instructions, or even default judgment. More importantly, it prevents the destruction that often happens when trucking companies think no one is watching.

What ECM Data Reveals

The Event Data Recorder captures:

• Exact speed before impact
• Brake application timing and force
• Throttle position
• Cruise control status
• Seatbelt usage
• Airbag deployment timing

This objective data contradicts driver claims of “I wasn’t speeding” or “I hit the brakes immediately.” In one recent case, ECM data proved a truck was traveling 78 mph in a 65 mph zone—directly contradicting the driver’s sworn statement. That data was worth millions in settlement leverage.

Catastrophic Injuries and Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries

Traumatic Brain Injury ($1.5M – $9.8M Range)

The forces involved in Colfax County 18-wheeler accidents—particularly on high-speed routes like US-77—often cause TBIs ranging from mild concussions to permanent cognitive impairment. Symptoms include:

• Memory loss and confusion
• Headaches and dizziness
• Personality changes and depression
• Inability to concentrate or work

Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million. Our firm has secured settlements in the $1.5 to $9.8 million range for TBI victims, providing resources for long-term rehabilitation and lost earning capacity.

Spinal Cord Injury ($4.7M – $25.8M Range)

Paralysis—whether paraplegia (lower body) or quadriplegia (all four limbs)—requires lifetime care. The $25.8 million end of our settlement range reflects cases involving young victims with decades of lost earnings and 24/7 care needs.

Amputation ($1.9M – $8.6M Range)

When an 18-wheeler override or underride collision requires surgical amputation, or when crush injuries necessitate removal of limbs, victims face:

• Prosthetic costs ($5,000-$50,000 per device)
• Replacement every 3-5 years
• Rehabilitation and occupational therapy
• Home modifications

We’ve recovered between $1.9 and $8.6 million for amputation cases, ensuring clients can afford the best prosthetics and maintain quality of life.

Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M Range)

When a Colfax County family loses a loved one to a trucking accident, Nebraska law allows recovery of:

• Lost future income and benefits
• Loss of consortium (companionship, guidance)
• Mental anguish
• Funeral expenses
• Punitive damages (for gross negligence)

Our wrongful death recoveries range from $1.9 to $9.5 million, depending on the victim’s age, earning capacity, and the egregiousness of the trucking company’s conduct.

Real Client Results for Real People

Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case. “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 the cases other lawyers won’t touch—and win.

Chad Harris described what sets us apart: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That family approach means we answer calls at 1-888-ATTY-911 24/7.

Angel Walle experienced our efficiency: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” While we never promise specific timelines, we don’t drag cases out unnecessarily.

Ernest Cano recognized our fighting spirit: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” That’s the Attorney911 promise.

Kiimarii Yup lost everything in a truck accident: “I lost everything… my car was at a total loss, and because of Attorney Manginello and my case worker Leonor, 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”

Why Colfax County Families Choose Attorney911

25+ Years of Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello isn’t just a Nebraska attorney—he’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the New York State Bar. That federal court experience matters when trucking cases involve interstate commerce and federal regulations. Since 1998, he’s been building the expertise that Colfax County families need against national carriers.

The Insurance Defense Advantage

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years defending insurance companies before joining Attorney911. He knows:

• How adjusters calculate settlement offers using software like Colossus
• The tricks they use to minimize pain and suffering valuations
• When they’re bluffing about policy limits
• How to counter “independent” medical examiners hired to dispute your injuries

Now he uses that insider knowledge against them. “Our team includes an attorney who used to work for insurance companies—now he fights against them. He knows their playbook.” We use that advantage in every Colfax County case.

Multi-Million Dollar Track Record

We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston—demonstrating our ability to handle complex, high-stakes litigation. Our settlement ranges for trucking accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: $1,548,000 – $9,838,000+
• Amputation: $1,945,000 – $8,630,000
• Wrongful Death: $1,910,000 – $9,520,000

While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, they show our capacity to secure maximum compensation.

Three Offices, Statewide Reach

With offices in Houston (1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600), Austin (316 West 12th Street), and Beaumont, we serve Colfax County clients with the resources of a regional firm and the personal attention of a local practice. We travel to you for meetings, and our technology allows remote case management with personal attention.

Hablamos Español

Colfax County has a significant Hispanic population, particularly in agricultural communities. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Frequently Asked Questions for Colfax County Truck Accident Victims

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

Four years from the accident date for personal injury, two years for wrongful death. But waiting risks evidence destruction. Call immediately.

What if I was partially at fault?

Nebraska uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. At 50% or more, you recover nothing.

How much is my case worth?

It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and insurance coverage. Agricultural trucks often carry $1-5 million in coverage. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-millions.

Will my case go to trial?

Probably not—98% settle—but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That preparation creates leverage for better settlements.

How much does an attorney cost?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% if settled pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing unless we win.

What if the trucking company is from out of state?

We handle that regularly. Federal regulations apply nationwide, and our federal court admission allows us to pursue out-of-state defendants aggressively.

Can undocumented immigrants file claims?

Yes. Immigration status doesn’t affect your right to compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.

Do I have to go to the doctor immediately?

Yes. Medical documentation links your injuries to the accident. Gaps in treatment allow insurance companies to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash or aren’t serious.

What is a spoliation letter?

A legal notice demanding preservation of evidence. We send these within 24 hours to prevent trucking companies from destroying black box data, maintenance records, or driver files.

How do I know if the driver violated hours of service?

We subpoena ELD records and ECM data. If the driver exceeded 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on duty, that’s a federal violation and strong evidence of negligence.

Your Next Call Determines Everything

The trucking company that hit you on US-30 near Schuyler, or on the county roads around Leigh, has lawyers working right now. They’re reviewing the driver’s logs, checking the maintenance records, and looking for ways to blame you for the accident.

They hope you wait. They hope you don’t call a lawyer. They hope the black box data gets overwritten before anyone asks for it.

Don’t give them that advantage.

At Attorney911, we answer calls 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Ralph Manginello will personally review your case. Lupe Peña will apply his insurance defense background to anticipate every tactic they’ll use. And we’ll send preservation letters immediately to protect the evidence that proves your case.

You don’t pay unless we win. You don’t get a bill for consultations, investigations, or expert witnesses. We advance all costs because we believe in your case.

The harvest season brings increased truck traffic to Colfax County. The winter ice creates dangerous conditions. And the trucking companies know that when accidents happen, they have the advantage—unless you call us.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. The consultation is free. The advice is invaluable. And your family’s future may depend on acting today.