When an 80,000-pound grain truck rolls over on Interstate 80 near Marshalltown, or a fatigued long-haul driver drifts across the median on US-63 in rural Marshall County, the devastation doesn’t just affect the victims—it ripples through an entire community. Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years fighting for families whose lives changed in an instant. At Attorney911, we’ve seen what happens when trucking companies cut corners to maximize profits. And we know how to stop them.
Our law firm brings something different to Marshall County courtrooms. With 25+ years of courtroom experience since 1998, Ralph Manginello has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injury victims across the country. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña worked for years inside the insurance defense industry—now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for hazing injuries, and we’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP in the Texas City refinery explosion litigation. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Marshall County Demand Specialized Legal Experience
Marshall County, Iowa, sits at the crossroads of major agricultural shipping corridors. Interstate 80 cuts through the southern reaches of the county, carrying everything from grain shipments to manufacturing equipment across the country. US-63 and US-30 serve as vital arteries connecting Marshalltown to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. When trucks traveling these routes cause catastrophic accidents, the victims need more than a general personal injury lawyer—they need someone who understands federal trucking regulations, agricultural cargo requirements, and the brutal physics of an 80,000-pound vehicle striking a 4,000-pound passenger car.
The numbers paint a grim reality. Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. In Marshall County and throughout Iowa, trucking accidents account for a disproportionate share of highway fatalities. An 18-wheeler traveling at 65 mph needs nearly two football fields to stop—525 feet of asphalt that simply doesn’t exist when a driver is texting, fatigued, or speeding through a red light in downtown Marshalltown.
Unlike regular car accidents, trucking collisions involve multiple liable parties. The driver might be tired after violating federal Hours of Service rules. The trucking company might have pressured him to deliver faster. The cargo loader might have improperly secured thousands of pounds of grain. The maintenance contractor might have skipped brake inspections. At Attorney911, we investigate every angle because we know that more defendants mean more insurance coverage—and maximum compensation for your family.
The Physics of Disaster: Why Truck Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Your sedan weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck traveling through Marshall County can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s twenty times the mass, governed by the simple physics equation: Force equals Mass times Acceleration. When these vehicles collide, the energy transfer is devastating.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce, including those traversing I-80 through Marshall County. These regulations exist because 18-wheelers pose unique dangers:
- Brake failure risks: Air brake systems require rigorous maintenance. A truck descending the grades near Marshalltown with overheated brakes becomes an unstoppable missile.
- Jackknife dangers: When a driver slams the brakes on slippery Iowa winter roads, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic on US-63 or Iowa Highway 14.
- Underride catastropides: When a passenger vehicle slides beneath a trailer during a rear-end collision on the interstate, the roof shear often results in instant decapitation or fatal head trauma.
- Rollover hazards: High-profile loads, combined with Marshall County’s agricultural transport needs, create tipping risks on curves and exit ramps.
We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims—ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million—precisely because these injuries require lifetime care. Our amputation cases have settled between $1.9 million and $8.6 million. As Glenda Walker told us after we handled her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Federal Regulations That Trucking Companies Break (49 CFR Violations)
The FMCSA’s regulations aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. When trucking companies violate these rules and cause injuries in Marshall County, they face not just civil liability but potential criminal penalties. Here’s what matters for your case:
Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395): Property-carrying drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Yet we frequently find drivers logged 16, 18, or 20 hours straight—barreling down I-80 toward Marshall County while fighting exhaustion. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) now record this data automatically, and we subpoena these records immediately.
Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391): Before hiring a driver, companies must verify driving records, conduct background checks, and ensure medical certification. We recently handled a case where a trucking company failed to discover a driver’s history of DUIs—knowledge that would have prevented a catastrophic collision near the Marshalltown city limits.
Cargo Securement Violations (49 CFR § 393.100-136): Iowa’s agricultural economy means thousands of trucks haul grain, feed, and equipment through Marshall County. Federal law requires cargo securement systems to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward and 0.5g laterally. When loaders cut corners and cargo shifts during transport, rollovers occur on curves near Le Grand or Melbourne.
Vehicle Maintenance Neglect (49 CFR Part 396): Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their fleets. Brake deficiencies cause 29% of truck accidents. When a company defers brake maintenance to save money, they’re gambling with lives on Marshall County highways.
Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382): Commercial drivers must submit to random testing. A positive test—or refusal to test—creates automatic liability for negligence.
The 48-Hour Evidence Race: Why Timing Matters
Trucking companies don’t wait to protect themselves. Within hours of a collision on Interstate 80, they deploy rapid-response teams to the scene. Their lawyers arrive before the ambulance departs. And they start building a defense that minimizes your claim—or denies it entirely.
Evidence in 18-wheeler accidents disappears fast. The Engine Control Module (ECM)—the truck’s “black box”—records critical data: speed, brake application, throttle position, and RPMs. This data can be overwritten within 30 days. Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records, which prove Hours of Service violations, must be preserved immediately or they may be lost to routine deletion. Dashcam footage often gets recorded over within days. Witness memories fade. Weather conditions change.
That’s why Attorney911 sends spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. These formal legal notices put trucking companies on notice that they must preserve:
- ECM/EDR data and ELD logs
- Driver Qualification Files (employment records, driving history, medical certifications)
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Dispatch communications and GPS data
- Cell phone records proving distracted driving
When companies destroy evidence after receiving our letter, courts can impose severe sanctions—including instructing juries to assume the destroyed evidence would have hurt the defense. As client Donald Wilcox discovered when he came to us after another firm rejected his case, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
Who Can Be Sued in a Marshall County Trucking Accident?
Most law firms only look at the driver. We investigate every potentially liable party because each represents a separate insurance policy—and a path to full compensation.
The Truck Driver may be personally liable for speeding, distracted driving, or Hours of Service violations.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier) faces vicarious liability under respondeat superior—employers answer for their employees’ negligence. They also face direct liability for negligent hiring (failing to check backgrounds), negligent training, or negligent supervision. Federal law requires trucking companies to carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for non-hazmat loads and up to $5 million for hazardous materials.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper may be liable if they required overweight loading, misrepresented cargo hazards, or pressured the carrier to meet impossible deadlines.
The Loading Company faces liability for improper cargo securement under 49 CFR 393. In Iowa’s agricultural industry, improperly secured grain loads frequently cause rollovers on rural roads outside Marshalltown.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers bear responsibility for defective brakes, steering systems, or tires that fail on the highway.
Maintenance Companies who performed negligent repairs or failed to identify critical safety issues can be sued directly.
Freight Brokers who negligently select carriers with poor safety records may share liability.
The Truck Owner (if different from the carrier) may face negligent entrustment claims.
Government Entities could be liable for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe highway conditions on state routes through Marshall County.
Catastrophic Injuries and Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries
The 20-to-1 weight disadvantage between trucks and passenger vehicles translates to catastrophic injuries. We’ve helped Marshall County families secure settlements for:
Traumatic Brain Injuries ($1.5M – $9.8M+ range): From concussions to severe TBIs requiring lifetime care. Symptoms include confusion, memory loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairment.
Spinal Cord Injuries ($4.7M – $25.8M+ range): Paraplegia and quadriplegia from crushing impacts. These cases require lifetime medical care, home modifications, and lost earning capacity calculations.
Amputations ($1.9M – $8.6M range): Whether traumatic (severed at the scene) or surgical (required due to crush injuries), these injuries require prosthetics, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy.
Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M range): When trucking negligence kills a loved one, Iowa law allows recovery for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.
Severe Burns: From fuel fires following underride collisions or hazmat spills on I-80.
As client Kiimarii Yup shared after we resolved her case, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
Iowa and Marshall County Specific Legal Information
Statute of Limitations: In Iowa, you have just two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a lawsuit. Wait too long, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how serious your injuries or how clear the liability. Evidence disappears quickly in Marshall County; we recommend immediate consultation.
Comparative Negligence: Iowa follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault, but your percentage of fault reduces your compensation. If you’re found 51% or more responsible, you receive nothing. Trucking insurance companies love blaming victims—our job is proving the truck driver and company were at fault.
Damage Caps: Unlike some states, Iowa does not cap economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. However, punitive damages (meant to punish gross negligence) face constitutional due process limits. In Marshall County District Court, we argue for full compensation including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Local Considerations: Marshall County’s agricultural economy means many accidents involve grain trucks, livestock trailers, and seasonal agricultural equipment. Winter weather from November through March creates black ice hazards on US-30 and country roads. The intersection of I-80 and US-63 sees significant commercial traffic, as does the route to the JBS processing facility in Marshalltown.
Common Accident Types on Marshall County Roads
Rear-End Collisions: A truck following too closely (violating 49 CFR § 392.11) cannot stop in time when traffic slows on I-80. The resulting impact often causes traumatic brain injuries or fatal underride crashes.
Jackknife Accidents: Common during Iowa winters when inexperienced drivers brake suddenly on ice, causing the trailer to swing perpendicular to the cab and block multiple lanes.
Cargo Spills: Improperly secured agricultural loads spill onto Highway 14 or US-218, creating hazards for following vehicles and causing rollovers when the center of gravity shifts.
Tire Blowouts: Retread tires failing at highway speeds cause loss of control—especially dangerous when hauling heavy loads through Marshall County’s rural intersections.
Wide Turn (“Squeeze Play”) Accidents: Trucks swinging wide to make right turns in downtown Marshalltown or at commercial intersections crush vehicles in the adjacent lanes.
Blind Spot Collisions: An 18-wheeler has enormous blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides. When truckers fail to check mirrors before changing lanes on US-63, they sideswipe passenger vehicles.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Marshall County
If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Marshall County, your actions in the first 48 hours are critical:
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Seek immediate medical attention—even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries; internal bleeding and TBIs may not show symptoms for days. Marshalltown Medical Center and UnityPoint Health hospitals provide trauma evaluation.
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Document everything—photograph all vehicles, damage, your injuries, road conditions, and the truck’s DOT number (on the door). Get witness contact information.
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Do not give recorded statements to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. They are trained to minimize your claim.
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Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We will send spoliation letters to preserve the truck’s black box data, ELD logs, and maintenance records before they disappear.
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Do not sign anything until consulting with us. Early settlement offers are always lowball amounts designed to close your case before you understand your injuries’ full extent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Marshall County, Iowa?
You have two years from the accident date. However, you should contact us immediately. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days, and trucking companies start building their defense within hours.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes—if you were 50% or less at fault under Iowa’s modified comparative negligence law. Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery, but you can still receive substantial compensation.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Both the driver and the trucking company may still be liable. Federal regulations and vicarious liability doctrines often make companies responsible for contractors’ actions.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage. We’ve secured settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-millions, including a $5 million recovery for a traumatic brain injury and $3.8 million for an amputation victim.
What does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Yes. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Why Trucking Companies Fear Attorney911
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers settle cheap and which ones fight. With 25+ years of federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas), Ralph Manginello has the resources to take on Fortune 500 trucking companies. Our insider advantage—Lupe Peña’s background defending insurance companies—means we anticipate their tactics before they deploy them.
We’ve handled cases against Walmart, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We’ve litigated the BP Texas City explosion that killed 15 workers. Ralph’s federal court admission allows us to handle interstate trucking cases in Iowa and across state lines. And with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, plus our willingness to travel to Marshall County for your case, we’re never far from where you need us.
As Ernest Cano said in his review, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Call Attorney911 Today: 1-888-ATTY-911
If an 18-wheeler accident in Marshall County has shattered your family’s peace, you have choices. You can accept the lowball offer from the insurance adjuster who calls while you’re still in the hospital. You can try to navigate federal trucking regulations and FMCSA compliance alone. Or you can call the firm that insurance companies fear.
The clock is ticking. Evidence is disappearing. And the trucking company has already called their lawyers.
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation. We answer calls 24/7 because we know accidents don’t wait for business hours. We serve Marshall County—including Marshalltown, State Center, Le Grand, Melbourne, Albion, and all surrounding communities—with the same tenacity we bring to cases in Houston and across the nation.
Don’t let them push you around. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. And don’t wait until it’s too late to preserve the evidence that proves your case.
Hablamos Español. Llame hoy al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer. We fight. We win.
