When an 80,000-pound semi-truck loses control on the frozen hills of US-20 near Dubuque County, there is no such thing as a minor collision. The physics are brutal—twenty times the weight of your family sedan, traveling at highway speeds, with stopping distances that stretch nearly two football fields even under ideal conditions. If you are reading this from a hospital bed in Dubuque County, or if you are mourning a loved one who never made it home from work because of a negligent truck driver, you need to know something critical: the trucking company already has lawyers working to protect their interests. The only question is whether you have someone fighting just as hard for yours.
At Attorney911, we have spent over 25 years standing between catastrophically injured Iowa families and the trucking companies that caused their suffering. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, first opened our doors in 1998, and since then, we have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims of 18-wheeler accidents across the Midwest and beyond. We have gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP during the Texas City explosion litigation, and we have secured settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for traumatic brain injury victims alone. When we say we understand trucking litigation, we mean we have the federal court admission—specifically to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas—to prove it, along with the trial experience that makes insurance companies think twice before lowballing our clients.
But what does that mean for you, right here in Dubuque County? It means that when a jackknifed tractor-trailer blocks all lanes of US-151 during a January ice storm, or when an overloaded grain truck rolls over on a county road during harvest season, we know exactly what evidence to preserve, what regulations the driver violated, and how to hold every single liable party accountable. And here is your advantage that most Dubuque County firms cannot offer: our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working as an insurance defense attorney for a national firm. He knows the playbook the trucking insurers use because he used to run those plays himself. Now he fights against them. That insider knowledge has helped us recover over $50 million for our clients, including a $3.8 million settlement for a car accident victim who suffered a partial leg amputation, and $2.5 million for a commercial truck crash victim.
We know the Dubuque County trucking corridors intimately. We understand that I-80 runs just south of the county line, carrying transcontinental freight that feeds into local distribution centers. We recognize that US-20 serves as the primary commercial artery through the county, connecting Dubuque to Dyersville and Farley, carrying everything from refrigerated dairy products to heavy equipment. We have seen how the steep grades and sharp curves on US-61 along the Mississippi River can turn deadly when a fatigued driver exceeds the 11-hour federal driving limit. And we know that when winter weather hits northeast Iowa—when the blizzards roll off the Mississippi and black ice forms on the rural routes—trucking companies have a legal obligation to adjust their operations, yet too often they prioritize delivery deadlines over human lives.
The Devastating Reality of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Dubuque County
Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. In Dubuque County, the risk is magnified by our unique geography and economy. We are an agricultural powerhouse—number one in corn production and second in soybeans statewide—which means during harvest season, our roads see a massive spike in heavy truck traffic. Grain haulers, livestock transports, and equipment movers share narrow county roads with passenger vehicles. The Port of Dubuque brings in additional freight traffic from the Mississippi River, creating complex logistics intersections where massive trucks maneuver through tight spaces.
The statistics are sobering. When an 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, approximately 76% of the fatalities occur to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. A fully loaded truck weighs 80,000 pounds—legally, that is the maximum without special permits, though we frequently see overweight violations in agricultural zones. At 65 miles per hour, that truck needs 525 feet to come to a complete stop. That is nearly two football fields. Now imagine that same truck descending the steep grades near Eagle Point Park with worn brakes, or navigating the S-curves of US-151 in a snowstorm with a driver who has been awake for 18 hours.
The injuries we see in our Dubuque County cases reflect this disparity in force. We are not talking about simple fender-benders. We are talking about traumatic brain injuries that require lifelong care, spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, traumatic amputations, and severe burns from fuel fires. We have represented families who lost loved ones in underride collisions—those horrific accidents where a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer, often resulting in decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. These are life-altering events that demand immediate, aggressive legal action.
Understanding the Types of Trucking Accidents on Dubuque County Roads
Not all trucking accidents are created equal, and in Dubuque County, certain types occur with alarming frequency due to our specific conditions:
Jackknife Accidents: These happen when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic. In Dubuque County, we see these frequently during winter weather events on I-80 and US-20, when sudden braking on ice causes the trailer to break traction. Under 49 CFR § 393.48, trucking companies must maintain brake systems to prevent exactly this type of failure, yet inspection records often reveal deferred maintenance.
Rollover Accidents: Given our agricultural economy, rollover accidents involving grain trucks are tragically common. When a truck takes a curve too quickly—especially on rural county roads with soft shoulders—or when liquid cargo “sloshes” during transport, the high center of gravity of these vehicles causes them to tip. The FMCSA’s cargo securement regulations under 49 CFR § 393.100-136 require proper load distribution and securement, but overloaded trucks during harvest season often violate these rules.
Underride Collisions: Perhaps the most catastrophic, these occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath. The roof of the passenger vehicle is often sheared off at windshield level. While federal law requires rear underride guards (49 CFR § 393.86), there is no federal mandate for side underride guards, and many trailers on Dubuque County roads lack adequate protection. We recently reviewed a case where a Dubuque County family lost a loved one in a side underride collision at a rural intersection where the truck failed to yield.
Rear-End Collisions: With the long stopping distances required by heavy trucks, rear-end collisions are common on the Dubuque County stretch of US-151, particularly during rush hour traffic near the city limits. These accidents often result from distracted driving—violating 49 CFR § 392.82 regarding mobile phone use—or fatigued driving violations under 49 CFR § 395.3.
Wide Turn Accidents: Dubuque County’s historic downtown areas and narrow rural roads force trucks to swing wide before completing right turns. When a truck driver fails to check blind spots or signal properly, they can “squeeze” passenger vehicles between the curb and the trailer, causing crushing injuries.
Tire Blowouts: The extreme temperature variations in Iowa—scorching summer heat followed by winter cold—take a toll on commercial tires. When a steer tire blows out on a truck traveling 55 mph down US-61, the driver often loses control immediately. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.75 mandate minimum tread depths and inspection requirements, yet trucking companies frequently push tires beyond safe limits to save money.
Brake Failure Accidents: Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. The steep grades descending into the Mississippi River valley on Highway 52 put enormous stress on braking systems. Under 49 CFR § 396.3, motor carriers must systematically inspect and maintain brakes, but deferred maintenance is rampant in the industry.
Holding Every Liable Party Accountable in Dubuque County
One of the most critical differences between a standard car accident and an 18-wheeler collision is the complexity of liability. In a typical car crash, you might have one at-fault driver and one insurance policy. In a Dubuque County trucking accident, we often identify ten or more potentially liable parties, each with separate insurance policies that can be tapped for compensation:
The Truck Driver: Direct negligence through speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment. Under Iowa law, which follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar, we must prove the driver was at least 50% at fault for you to recover, but we can still secure damages even if you were partially responsible (as long as you were not more than 50% at fault).
The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are vicariously liable for their employees’ negligent acts. Additionally, trucking companies can be directly liable for negligent hiring (failing to check driving records), negligent training (inadequate safety instruction), or negligent supervision (ignoring Hours of Service violations). We subpoena the Driver Qualification File required under 49 CFR § 391.51, which often reveals the company hired a driver with a history of violations.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper: In Dubuque County’s agricultural sector, this often means the farm or grain elevator that loaded the truck. If they demanded an overweight load or pressured the driver to violate safety regulations to meet delivery windows, they share liability.
The Loading Company: Third-party loaders who failed to properly secure cargo or balanced the load unevenly, violating 49 CFR § 393.100.
The Truck or Trailer Manufacturer: If a defective brake system, faulty steering mechanism, or inadequate underride protection contributed to the crash, the manufacturer faces strict liability.
Parts Manufacturers: Defective tires, brake components, or lighting systems can trigger product liability claims.
The Maintenance Company: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs or failed to identify critical safety issues during required inspections under 49 CFR § 396.17.
The Freight Broker: Brokers who arranged the shipment but negligently selected a carrier with a poor safety record or inadequate insurance.
The Truck Owner: In owner-operator situations, the individual who owns the tractor may have separate liability from the company hauling the freight.
Government Entities: If poor road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain the highway (such as allowing dangerous ice buildup on the Julien Dubuque Bridge approach) contributed to the accident, the city, county, or state may share liability, though sovereign immunity protections apply.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
Here is something the trucking companies hope you never learn: critical evidence in your Dubuque County 18-wheeler accident case begins disappearing immediately. The Electronic Control Module (ECM)—the truck’s “black box”—records data including speed, brake application, throttle position, and cruise control settings. Under federal guidelines, this data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or with subsequent driving events. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD), which tracks Hours of Service compliance under 49 CFR § 395.8, might only be retained for six months. Dashcam footage often deletes automatically within 7 to 14 days. And the physical truck itself? It can be repaired, sold, or shipped out of state within weeks.
That is why the moment you retain Attorney911, we send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This formal legal notice puts them on immediate notice of their duty to preserve:
- ECM/Black box data and ELD records
- Driver Qualification Files (employment applications, background checks, medical certifications, drug test results)
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Dispatch communications and GPS tracking data
- The physical tractor and trailer
- Cell phone records and text messages
Once we send this letter, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation”—a serious legal violation that can result in courts instructing juries to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the trucking company, or even imposing sanctions or default judgment.
We also deploy accident reconstruction experts to Dubuque County immediately. They document skid marks, measure crush damage, analyze road conditions, and download electronic data before it disappears. In one recent Dubuque County case, our quick action preserved ECM data showing the truck driver was traveling 15 miles per hour over the speed limit and had not applied the brakes until 1.2 seconds before impact—evidence that completely contradicted the driver’s sworn statement that he had been driving cautiously due to weather.
Iowa’s Legal Framework: What Dubuque County Victims Need to Know
Time is not on your side under Iowa law. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in Dubuque County is just two years from the date of the accident. Wait one day longer, and you lose your right to sue forever, no matter how catastrophic your injuries or how clear the trucking company’s negligence.
Iowa follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, provided your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards $1 million but finds you 20% at fault, you recover $800,000. But if you are found 51% at fault, you recover nothing. This makes aggressive investigation and evidence preservation critical—trucking companies will try to shift blame to you, the victim, to avoid paying.
Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases, and there is no statutory cap on punitive damages, though they are reserved for cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or conscious indifference to safety. Given that federal law requires trucking companies to carry minimum insurance of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and equipment, and $5 million for hazardous materials, and given that most commercial carriers carry $1-5 million or more in coverage, Dubuque County victims with catastrophic injuries have access to substantial compensation pools—if they have attorneys who know how to unlock them.
The True Cost of Catastrophic Injuries
When we evaluate a Dubuque County trucking accident case, we look at the full lifetime impact of injuries, not just the immediate hospital bills:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Range from mild concussions to severe cognitive impairment requiring 24/7 care. Settlement values in our experience range from $1.5 million to $9.8 million or more, depending on the need for lifelong medical supervision and the impact on earning capacity.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Paraplegia and quadriplegia resulting from 18-wheeler crashes carry lifetime care costs between $1.1 million and $5 million or more, not including lost wages or pain and suffering. We have secured settlements in the $4.7 million to $25.8 million range for these devastating injuries.
Amputations: Whether traumatic (occurring at the scene) or surgical (required days later due to crush injuries), amputations require prosthetics costing $5,000 to $50,000 per device, with replacements needed every few years. Our settlements for amputation cases range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
Severe Burns: Often occurring in fuel fires following underride or rollover accidents, third and fourth-degree burns require multiple skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and carry lifelong infection risks and psychological trauma.
Wrongful Death: When a trucking accident takes a loved one, Iowa law allows recovery for lost future income, loss of consortium and guidance, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These cases often settle for $1.9 million to $9.5 million or more, depending on the decedent’s age, earning capacity, and the circumstances of the negligence.
We calculate these damages with the help of life care planners, vocational experts, and economists who project the present value of future costs. We do not settle for “quick” offers that cover only immediate medical bills. As our client Glenda Walker said after we resolved her case: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Why Dubuque County Families Choose Attorney911
You have choices when it comes to legal representation in Dubuque County, Iowa. Here is why families choose us to handle their most important cases:
We Treat You Like Family, Not a File Number: Chad Harris, a client whose case we resolved despite another firm rejecting it, put it best: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We return calls promptly. Our staff—Leonor, Crystal, and Zulema for our Spanish-speaking clients—keeps you informed every step of the way.
Former Insurance Defense Experience: Lupe Peña knows exactly how the trucking company’s insurer will try to minimize your claim because he used to write the playbooks. He knows when they are bluffing and when they are truly worried about trial. That insider advantage has helped us secure settlements that other firms miss.
Federal Court Experience: Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, combined with his Texas and New York bar licenses, means we can handle complex interstate trucking cases that cross state lines—a common scenario given Dubuque County’s location near the Wisconsin and Illinois borders.
Three Offices, One Commitment: While our physical offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve trucking accident victims throughout the United States. For Dubuque County cases, we work with local counsel when necessary, travel to Iowa for depositions and trials, and handle your case with the same aggression we bring to our home state. Distance is not a barrier to justice.
No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis—33.33% if we settle before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs of investigation and litigation. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.
Hablamos Español: For Dubuque County’s Hispanic community, Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation without interpreters. “Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911,” and you will speak directly with an attorney who understands your language and your culture.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dubuque County 18-Wheeler Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident in Dubuque County?
You have two years from the date of the accident under Iowa Code § 614.1. For wrongful death, the clock starts running from the date of death. However, we recommend contacting an attorney within 48 hours because evidence preservation is time-sensitive.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Iowa uses modified comparative negligence. You can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Do not assume you were at fault—the trucking company wants you to think that. Let us investigate the ECM data and ELD logs first.
How much is my Dubuque County trucking accident case worth?
There is no “average” settlement. Factors include the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, available insurance coverage (which is typically $750,000 to $5 million for commercial trucks), and the impact on your life. We have recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
The trucking company’s insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement. Should I give one?
Absolutely not. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions and twist your words. Anything you say can and will be used to minimize your claim. Refer them to your attorney. Remember: they are not on your side, no matter how friendly they seem.
What is a spoliation letter, and why do you send one immediately?
A spoliation letter is a legal notice demanding preservation of all evidence, including electronic data, maintenance records, and the physical truck. It prevents the trucking company from “accidentally” deleting dashcam footage or overwriting black box data. We send these within 24 hours of retention.
Will my case go to trial?
Most Dubuque County trucking cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it is going to court. Insurance companies offer higher settlements when they know your attorney is willing and able to try the case. Ralph Manginello’s 25 years of courtroom experience gives us leverage in negotiations.
How do I pay for medical treatment while my case is pending?
We can help refer you to medical providers who will treat you on a Letter of Protection (LOP), meaning they get paid from your settlement. We can also help you understand your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Med-Pay coverage if available.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
This complicates liability but does not defeat it. We investigate the relationship between the driver and the trucking company. If the company controlled the driver’s routes, schedules, or equipment, they may still be vicariously liable. Additionally, owner-operators often have separate insurance policies we can access.
Can undocumented immigrants file injury claims in Iowa?
Yes. Immigration status does not affect your right to recover compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We handle these cases with discretion and compassion.
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
This is common given Dubuque County’s location on major interstate corridors. We can sue out-of-state trucking companies in Iowa federal or state court. Ralph Manginello’s dual Texas and New York bar admissions and federal court experience make him particularly adept at handling multi-jurisdictional cases.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps in Dubuque County
The trucking company that hit you or your loved one has already contacted their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster has already begun building a file to minimize your claim. Their rapid-response team may have already visited the scene. Every hour you wait, evidence fades, witnesses forget, and the trucking company strengthens its defense.
Here is what you need to do right now:
-
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel “okay.” Adrenaline masks serious injuries, and internal trauma or TBI symptoms may not appear for days.
-
Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurance representative. Politely decline to give a recorded statement and tell them your attorney will contact them.
-
Preserve evidence. If you have photos from the scene, medical records, or the truck driver’s information, keep them safe.
-
Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (888-288-9911). We answer calls 24/7. Hablamos Español. There is no cost for the consultation, and we work on contingency—if we do not win, you do not pay.
When you call, you speak with a team that includes a former insurance defense attorney who knows every trick the trucking companies play. You get the experience of a firm that has recovered over $50 million for clients, including multi-million dollar brain injury and amputation settlements. You get attorneys who are not afraid to take on Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola, and the largest trucking conglomerates in America—as we have done successfully.
As our client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” That is exactly what we will do for you in Dubuque County.
Call 888-ATTY-911 today. Evidence is disappearing while you read this. Let’s secure it, build your case, and get you the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
