The impact was catastrophic. 80,000 pounds of steel and freight collided with your vehicle on a rural Howard County highway, and in an instant, everything changed. If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Cresco, or if you’re grieving a loved one lost on I-35 near the Minnesota border, you need to know something critical: the trucking company already has lawyers working to protect their interests. You need someone fighting just as hard for yours.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies across rural America, including right here in Howard County, Iowa. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 carriers, and he’s admitted to federal court—which means we can handle your Howard County case whether it settles in Des Moines or goes to trial. More importantly, our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside the system watching adjusters minimize claims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for families in Howard County, not against them.
The agricultural corridors serving Howard County—from the grain elevators near Riceville to the dairy routes around Elma—see heavy commercial traffic year-round. When a loaded grain truck or a cattle hauler loses control on icy country roads, the results are devastating. Iowa law gives you just two years to file a claim, but evidence disappears much faster than that. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Driver logs get “lost.” Witnesses forget what they saw. That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained—because your case in Howard County deserves the same aggressive protection the trucking companies give themselves.
Why Howard County Roads Create Unique Trucking Dangers
Howard County isn’t Houston or Chicago. The trucking hazards here are distinctly rural, distinctly agricultural, and distinctly dangerous. When Ralph Manginello takes on a case from Howard County, he doesn’t treat it like a big-city fender-bender. He knows that out here, a jackknifed semi on a snowy stretch of Highway 9 can block the only route to the hospital for miles. He knows that during harvest season, the combines and grain trucks create traffic patterns that urban drivers never face.
The interstates and highways serving Howard County—including I-35, Highway 63, and the rural routes connecting Cresco to Decorah—carry massive agricultural loads. These aren’t just big trucks; they’re often overloaded, rushing to beat weather or market prices, driven by operators who might be pushing past federal hours-of-service limits to get the crop to market.
Here’s what makes Howard County trucking accidents different from metropolitan crashes:
Agricultural Weight and Momentum. A grain truck hauling corn or soybeans through Howard County can legally weigh 80,000 pounds, but improper loading creates dangerous weight imbalances. We’ve seen cases where the cargo shifted on a curve near Lime Springs, causing a rollover that shut down the highway for hours.
Weather Extremes. Northern Iowa winters bring black ice, whiteout conditions, and freezing fog. An 18-wheeler needs 525 feet to stop at highway speed—that’s nearly two football fields of sliding on ice. When a trucker fails to adjust for Howard County winter conditions, they violate 49 CFR § 392.14, which requires drivers to use “extreme caution” in hazardous weather.
Rural Road Geometry. The two-lane highways crisscrossing Howard County weren’t designed for modern 53-foot trailers. Narrow shoulders, sharp curves, and limited sightlines create perfect conditions for head-on collisions and override accidents.
Livestock and Dairy Traffic. Howard County’s strong agricultural base means tanker trucks hauling milk, manure spreaders, and livestock trailers share the road with passenger vehicles. These specialized trucks have different handling characteristics and blind spots that lead to unique accident types.
The Trucking Accidents We See in Howard County
Every accident type described below happens in Howard County, but some are more common here due to the rural, agricultural nature of the region.
Jackknife Accidents on I-35. When a truck driver hits the brakes too hard on the interstate near the Minnesota border, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating a deadly barrier across all lanes. These accidents often involve multiple vehicles because there’s nowhere to go on a busy interstate. We investigate the ECM data to prove if the driver was speeding or following too closely in violation of 49 CFR § 392.11.
Rollover Accidents on Rural Highways. Howard County’s rolling terrain and curved rural roads see devastating rollovers when drivers take turns too fast or when improperly secured liquid cargo (like milk or liquid fertilizer) sloshes and shifts the center of gravity. These accidents often result in cargo spills that contaminate farmland and water sources, creating additional liable parties beyond just the driver.
Underride Collisions. When a passenger vehicle crashes into the side or rear of a trailer and slides underneath, the roof gets sheared off. These are often fatal. While rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, many trailers have inadequate or poorly maintained guards. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, though they could save lives on Howard County’s busy agricultural routes.
Rear-End Collisions. A fully loaded truck traveling 65 mph needs 40% more stopping distance than your car. When a distracted or fatigued truck driver follows too closely on Highway 63 near Cresco, they can’t stop in time. The physics are brutal: 80,000 pounds against 4,000 pounds means the car always loses.
Wide Turn Accidents. Large trucks swinging wide to navigate the tight turns in downtown Elma or Riceville create “squeeze play” scenarios where smaller vehicles get trapped between the truck and the curb. These accidents often crush the passenger side of cars and cause severe injuries to drivers and passengers alike.
Blind Spot Accidents. An 18-wheeler has massive “No-Zones” on all four sides. When a trucker changes lanes on I-35 without checking mirrors—or without proper mirrors installed per 49 CFR § 393.80—they can sideswipe a vehicle and send it spinning into other traffic or off the road entirely.
Tire Blowouts. The extreme temperature variations in Iowa—freezing winters and hot summers—cause tire degradation. When a steer tire blows at highway speed, the driver loses control instantly. We subpoena maintenance records to see if the trucking company violated 49 CFR § 396.3 by deferring tire replacements to save money.
Brake Failure Accidents. Brake problems contribute to 29% of truck crashes. In mountainous conditions (though rare in Howard County, they exist in nearby Winneshiek County), brake fade on long descents causes runaway trucks. More commonly, poorly maintained air brake systems fail on rural highways, leading to catastrophic losses of control.
Cargo Spills and Hazmat Incidents. When a tanker truck hauling liquid manure, fertilizer, or diesel fuel rolls over in Howard County, it creates environmental and health hazards. These cases involve complex federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 397, and we pursue not just the driver but the loading company and cargo owner.
Federal Regulations That Prove Negligence in Your Howard County Case
Trucking companies love to argue that accidents are just “unavoidable tragedies.” But federal law says otherwise. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations—codified in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399—create strict standards. When a trucking company violates these rules and hurts someone in Howard County, that violation is evidence of negligence.
Part 390: General Applicability. Every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce must follow these rules. This includes trucks hauling grain from Howard County to Illinois or livestock to processing plants across state lines. If they operate in commerce crossing state lines, they’re subject to federal oversight.
Part 391: Driver Qualifications. Trucking companies must verify that drivers are qualified to operate these dangerous vehicles. We demand the Driver Qualification File for every driver who causes an accident in Howard County. If the file is missing, if the driver’s medical certificate was expired, or if they failed to check the driver’s three-year history as required by § 391.51, that’s negligent hiring. Ralph Manginello has won cases by proving companies put unqualified drivers on Howard County roads.
Part 392: Safe Driving Rules. This is where most violations occur in Howard County accidents. § 392.3 prohibits driving while fatigued or ill. § 392.6 prohibits scheduling routes that require speeding. § 392.11 requires reasonable following distances—critical on icy Iowa roads. § 392.82 prohibits hand-held mobile phone use while driving. When we subpoena cell phone records and find the driver was texting while passing through Cresco, we have concrete proof of negligence.
Part 393: Vehicle Maintenance and Cargo Securement. Those grain trucks and livestock haulers on Howard County roads must have proper lighting, working brakes, and securely fastened cargo. § 393.100 requires cargo securement systems to withstand specific force levels—0.8g forward, 0.5g rearward, and 0.5g laterally. When a load of corn shifts and causes a rollover near Riceville, we prove the trucking company violated these securement rules.
Part 395: Hours of Service. This is the big one. Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th hour on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours. And they cannot exceed 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. Since December 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track these hours. We download ELD data to prove if the driver was fatigued when they caused your Howard County accident.
Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance. Every truck must undergo systematic inspection and maintenance. Drivers must complete pre-trip inspections checking brakes, tires, lights, and coupling devices. Annual inspections are mandatory. When a truck crashes in Howard County due to brake failure or bald tires, we pull the maintenance records. If the company skipped inspections to keep the truck moving during harvest season, they’re liable.
Every Liable Party We Pursue in Howard County Cases
Most law firms only sue the driver and trucking company. That leaves money on the table—money that could pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In Howard County agricultural accidents, multiple parties often share blame:
The Truck Driver. Obvious but essential. We investigate their driving record, their training history, and whether they were fatigued, distracted, or impaired. Under Iowa’s modified comparative negligence rule (Iowa Code § 668.3), you can recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier). Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for their employees’ negligence. Additionally, we look for negligent hiring, negligent training, and negligent supervision. If they hired a driver with a history of safety violations to haul grain through Howard County, they’re responsible.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper. When a farmer or agribusiness loads the truck improperly—distributing weight unevenly or exceeding weight limits—they may be liable. We obtain bills of lading and loading instructions to prove they prioritized profit over safety.
The Loading Company. Third-party grain elevators or livestock loaders in Howard County have a duty to secure cargo properly. When they fail to use adequate tiedowns or blockage, causing a load shift that triggers an accident, we hold them accountable.
The Truck/Parts Manufacturer. Defective brakes, tire blowouts from manufacturing flaws, or steering mechanism failures can be products liability claims. We work with engineers to determine if a design defect contributed to your Howard County crash.
The Maintenance Company. If a third-party mechanic performed brake repairs or tire replacements and did so negligently, they’re liable. We pull work orders and mechanic certifications.
The Freight Broker. These middlemen connect shippers with carriers. If they selected the cheapest carrier with a terrible safety record despite knowing the risks, they can be liable for negligent selection.
The Truck Owner. In owner-operator arrangements, the individual who owns the truck may have independent liability for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain the vehicle.
Government Entities. If poor road design on Highway 63 or inadequate signage contributed to the accident, we pursue claims against the Iowa Department of Transportation or Howard County authorities. Be aware: Iowa’s Tort Claims Act requires specific notice procedures and has damage caps ($250,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence for government claims), so time is critical.
The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis in Howard County
Here’s what the trucking companies don’t want you to know: evidence starts disappearing immediately. They have rapid-response teams—lawyers and investigators—who arrive at the scene before the police even finish their report. If you wait to call an attorney, you’re giving them time to destroy the proof you need.
Critical Evidence We Preserve:
ECM/Black Box Data. The engine control module records speed, braking, RPM, and fault codes in the seconds before impact. It can prove the driver was speeding through Howard County or never hit the brakes. But this data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days, or sooner if the truck continues operating.
ELD Records. These electronic logs prove hours-of-service violations. Federal law only requires retention for 6 months, and companies “lose” them regularly. We demand immediate preservation.
Dashcam Footage. Many trucks have forward-facing and driver-facing cameras. The footage might show the driver asleep at the wheel or texting. Without a spoliation letter sent immediately, this footage gets deleted within 7-14 days.
Driver Qualification Files. The trucker’s employment application, medical exams, and drug test results prove if they were qualified to drive. Companies have been known to “update” these files after accidents to cover up negligence.
Maintenance Records. Brake inspections, tire replacements, and repair logs show if the truck was safe to be on Howard County roads. We look for deferred maintenance—repairs put off to save money during tight agricultural margins.
Witness Statements. Rural Howard County accidents often have few witnesses, making those who do stop critically important. We interview them quickly before memories fade.
Physical Evidence. The truck itself, the trailer, and any failed components must be preserved for expert analysis. Once a trucking company hauls the truck to a salvage yard or repairs it, that evidence is gone.
We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. This puts the trucking company on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in sanctions, adverse jury instructions, or default judgments. It’s your best protection against their games.
Catastrophic Injuries and Recovery Potential
The physics of an 80,000-pound truck against a 4,000-pound car don’t leave room for minor injuries. In Howard County, where airlift times to trauma centers can be lengthy due to rural distances, injuries are often more severe by the time treatment begins.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The violent forces in a truck crash cause the brain to collide with the skull. Mild TBIs (concussions) can resolve, but moderate to severe TBIs cause permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and loss of executive function. These cases often settle in the $1.5 million to $9.8 million range, depending on lifelong care needs.
Spinal Cord Injuries. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are devastatingly common in underride and rollover accidents. The lifetime cost of care for a quadriplegic can exceed $4.7 million to $25.8 million. We work with life-care planners to ensure your settlement covers decades of medical needs, not just today’s bills.
Amputations. Crush injuries from truck accidents often require surgical amputation. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining cost $1.9 million to $8.6 million over a lifetime. We’ve helped clients who lost limbs in Howard County crashes regain independence through adequate compensation.
Severe Burns. When tanker trucks carrying diesel, ethanol, or other fuels explode or spill, victims suffer third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts, multiple surgeries, and permanent scarring.
Wrongful Death. When a Howard County family loses a loved one—often a primary earner in agricultural communities—the damages include lost future income, loss of consortium, and mental anguish. Iowa wrongful death settlements typically range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, though each case is unique.
Insurance Requirements and Recovering What’s Yours
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantial insurance—far more than the $30,000 minimum for regular Iowa drivers:
- $750,000 for general freight (non-hazardous)
- $1,000,000 for oil, petroleum, and large equipment
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials and passenger transport
These higher limits mean there’s actually money available to pay for your catastrophic injuries. But accessing it requires knowing how to navigate commercial insurance policies, including MCS-90 endorsements that guarantee minimum coverage for interstate carriers.
Insurance companies use algorithms like Colossus and tactics designed to minimize payouts. They’ll claim your injuries are “pre-existing” or exaggerate your percentage of fault under Iowa’s comparative negligence rules. They’ll offer quick settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries—settlements that require you to sign away your rights forever.
Don’t sign anything. As client Donald Wilcox told us after we handled 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.” And Glenda Walker added, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
That’s the difference between facing the insurance company alone and having Attorney911 in your corner.
Frequently Asked Questions for Howard County Accident Victims
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Iowa?
Under Iowa Code § 614.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, you have two years from the date of death. But waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company is building their defense right now.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Iowa follows modified comparative negligence (Iowa Code § 668.3). If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. That’s why we investigate aggressively to prove the truck driver was primarily responsible.
Do I need to see a doctor if I feel okay?
Absolutely. Adrenaline masks pain, and traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor at Winneshiek Medical Center, MercyOne in Decorah, or another Howard County provider creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident—critical evidence for your case.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Never. They record everything you say and use it against you. They’ll ask how you’re feeling, and if you say “fine” out of politeness, they’ll claim you weren’t injured. Refer all contact to us immediately.
What if the truck driver was from out of state?
Most trucks involved in Howard County accidents are from Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, but federal jurisdiction applies. We can pursue cases against out-of-state carriers through federal courts or Iowa state courts, depending on where the best advantage lies.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency—33.33% before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all investigation costs. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Chad Harris, one of our clients, put it perfectly: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
What’s my case worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost wages, and the insurance coverage available. But with our track record—including a recent $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for hazing and decades of multi-million dollar trucking settlements—we know how to maximize recovery for Howard County families.
Do you handle Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. Associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
How long will my case take?
Simple cases might settle in 6-12 months. Complex litigation with multiple defendants can take 18-36 months. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial because insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re ready to fight.
What if my loved one was killed?
We pursue wrongful death claims for surviving spouses, children, and parents under Iowa law. These claims compensate for lost income, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. The emotional toll is heavy, but holding the trucking company accountable can provide financial security for your family’s future.
Why Howard County Chooses Attorney911
We’re not a local Iowa firm, and that’s actually an advantage. We’re not beholden to local trucking companies or worried about courtroom politics. We bring fresh eyes and aggressive tactics to Howard County cases. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients nationwide, and our federal court admission allows us to represent you in Iowa courts effectively.
Ralph Manginello doesn’t just know the law—he knows the trucking industry from the inside out. When he takes a deposition from a truck driver, he knows what questions to ask because he’s done this hundreds of times. When Lupe Peña negotiates with the insurance adjuster, he knows exactly how they’re trained to lowball you because he used to be one of them.
We’ve gone toe-to-toe with BP in the Texas City refinery explosion litigation. We’ve handled cases against Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We know how corporate defendants operate, and we know how to beat them.
But don’t just take our word for it. Angel Walle told us: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” And Ernest Cano said: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
That’s the kind of relentless advocacy you need when you’re facing a trucking company after a catastrophic accident in Howard County.
Call Attorney911 Today—Before Evidence Disappears
The clock is ticking. Every hour you wait, the trucking company is gathering evidence, coaching their driver, and looking for ways to pay you less. In Iowa, you have two years, but you really have days—not years—to preserve the critical evidence that wins cases.
If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident on I-35 near the Howard County line, or if a loved one was hurt in a grain truck rollover near Cresco, call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We answer 24/7 because trucking accidents don’t wait for business hours.
We offer free consultations. We work on contingency—you don’t pay unless we win. And we’ll travel to Howard County to meet you, whether you’re recovering at home, in the hospital, or at a rehabilitation facility.
Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Get the firm that insurance companies fear. Get the firm that treats you like family.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Your fight starts with one conversation. Hablamos Español.
