An 80,000-pound semi-truck changes everything. One moment you’re driving home along the rural highways of Montgomery County, Iowa. The next, the world spins, metal crumples, and your life is forever altered.
At Attorney911, we don’t just handle truck accidents—we fight them. For over 25 years, Ralph Manginello has stood toe-to-toe with the largest trucking companies in America. Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. And we bring something else to the table: Lupe Peña, our associate attorney who spent years working inside the insurance industry before joining us. He knows exactly how trucking insurers minimize claims—because he used to do it. Now he fights against them.
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident anywhere in Montgomery County, you need more than a lawyer. You need a fighter who understands federal regulations, Iowa negligence laws, and the unique dangers of agricultural trucking corridors. You need someone who moves fast—because in trucking cases, evidence disappears quickly, and the trucking company is already building their defense.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Montgomery County Trucking Accidents Demand Specialized Legal Experience
Montgomery County isn’t just another dot on the map for us. We understand the unique risks of Southwest Iowa’s agricultural economy. During harvest season, local highways see dramatic spikes in truck traffic carrying corn, soybeans, and cattle. Winter brings blizzards that turn I-29 and Highway 34 into treacherous ice sheets. Spring brings flooding along the East and West Nishnabotna Rivers that can wash out rural roads and create hazards for heavy trucks.
Ralph Manginello has spent over two decades handling commercial vehicle accidents in rural America. Since 1998, our firm has taken on Fortune 500 corporations like Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx—and won. We’ve secured settlements ranging from $2.5 million in truck crash cases to $5 million for traumatic brain injuries. Ralph brings federal court experience to every case, having been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—a crucial advantage when interstate commerce is involved.
But here’s what really sets us apart: insider knowledge. Lupe Peña used to work for a national insurance defense firm. He sat in the meetings where adjusters discussed how to minimize payouts to injured victims. He learned their playbooks. Now he uses that knowledge to protect Montgomery County families. As client Chad Harris told us, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
The Brutal Physics of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Montgomery County
Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi weighs 80,000 pounds. That’s a 20-to-1 weight disadvantage.
When these giants collide with passenger vehicles on Montgomery County’s rural roads, the results are catastrophic. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at highway speed needs nearly two football fields to stop—40% more distance than your car. When that truck loses control on an icy stretch of Highway 48 or jackknifes during a sudden stop on I-29, there’s nowhere to hide.
We’ve seen the aftermath. We’ve represented Montgomery County residents who suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries from underride collisions
- Spinal cord damage from rollovers on gravel roads
- Amputations from crushing accidents at agricultural processing facilities
- Wrongful death when trucks failed to stop at rural intersections
These aren’t simple fender-benders. These are life-altering events requiring immediate legal intervention.
Iowa Law: What You Need to Know After a Montgomery County Trucking Accident
Iowa operates under a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar rule. Here’s what that means for you: if you’re found 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages—but your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
The statute of limitations in Iowa gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the clock starts ticking on the date of death. Two years sounds like plenty of time, but in trucking cases, critical evidence can disappear in days.
Unlike some states, Iowa doesn’t cap punitive damages in trucking cases. When we prove a trucking company acted with gross negligence—like knowingly putting a fatigued driver on the road or ignoring brake repairs—we can pursue unlimited punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and protect the community.
Critical Evidence: Why the First 48 Hours Matter
Trucking companies don’t wait. Before you even leave the hospital, they’ll have rapid-response investigators at the scene. They’re not there to help you. They’re there to protect themselves.
Here’s what disappears fast:
ECM/Black Box Data: Your truck’s engine control module records crucial information—speed, brake application, throttle position. This data can be overwritten within 30 days or with subsequent engine cycles.
ELD Logs: Electronic Logging Devices track hours of service. Since the federal ELD mandate in 2017, these devices provide objective proof of whether a driver violated fatigue regulations. But carriers only keep these records for six months unless we intervene.
Dashcam Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing cameras. This footage often gets recorded over within 7-14 days.
Witness Statements: Rural Montgomery County accidents happen far from populated areas. Witnesses scatter, and memories fade.
That’s why we send spoliation letters immediately—often within 24 hours of being retained. These legal demands put the trucking company on notice that they must preserve all evidence or face severe court sanctions. We’ve had cases where judges instructed juries to assume destroyed evidence would have helped our client—all because we acted fast.
Who Can Be Held Liable? It’s Never Just the Driver
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming only the truck driver is responsible. In commercial trucking, liability spreads wide—and that’s good news for you, because more defendants means more insurance coverage.
1. The Driver: For speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. We subpoena cell phone records, drug test results, and driving histories.
2. The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior, employers are responsible for employees’ negligence. Plus, we investigate negligent hiring, training, and supervision. Did they verify his CDL? Did they check his medical certification? Did they pressure him to violate hours-of-service rules to meet delivery deadlines?
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: In Montgomery County’s agricultural economy, grain elevators and cattle operations often arrange transport. If they overloaded the truck or failed to secure the load properly, they share liability.
4. The Loading Company: Improperly balanced loads cause rollovers—especially dangerous on Iowa’s rural highways with soft shoulders.
5. Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who performed inadequate brake repairs or tire replacements.
6. Truck/Parts Manufacturers: Defective brakes, tire blowouts, or steering failures create products liability claims.
7. Freight Brokers: These middlemen connect shippers with carriers. If they negligently selected a carrier with a poor safety record, they’re liable.
8. Government Entities: Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage at dangerous intersections, or failure to address known flooding hazards on county roads.
We investigate every angle. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That means leaving no stone unturned and no liable party unidentified.
How Federal Regulations Prove Negligence
Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. When trucking companies break these rules, it creates powerful evidence of negligence.
Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395):
- Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty
- 30-minute break required after 8 hours driving
- 60/70 hour limits over 7/8 days
Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. When we pull ELD data showing violations, we prove the driver was too tired to operate safely.
Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391):
- Must be 21+ for interstate commerce
- Valid CDL required
- Medical examiner’s certificate (renewed every 2 years maximum)
- Annual motor vehicle record reviews
- Pre-employment drug testing and random testing program
Missing or incomplete Driver Qualification Files prove negligent hiring.
Vehicle Maintenance (49 CFR Parts 393 & 396):
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspections required
- Annual comprehensive inspections
- Brake systems must be properly maintained
- Tires must meet minimum tread depth (4/32″ for steer tires)
Brake failures contribute to 29% of truck accidents. When we find deferred maintenance or falsified inspection reports, we prove the company prioritized profit over safety.
Cargo Securement (49 CFR § 393.100-136):
- Cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral forces
- Specific rules for agricultural commodities, including grain and livestock
During Montgomery County’s harvest season, overloaded grain trucks and improperly secured equipment create deadly hazards on Highway 34 and County Road J-18.
The Unique Dangers of Montgomery County Trucking Corridors
Montgomery County sits at the heart of Iowa’s agricultural belt. While we don’t have the heavy interstate traffic of Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, our rural roads present unique dangers:
Agricultural Traffic Spikes: During September and October harvest, local roads see massive increases in truck traffic hauling corn and soybeans from fields to elevators. These trucks often operate on narrow county roads built for lighter traffic, increasing rollover and collision risks.
Weather Extremes: Iowa winters bring blizzards and black ice that make braking treacherous. Spring thaws cause flooding along the Nishnabotna River basin, washing out low-lying roads. Summer thunderstorms reduce visibility and create slick conditions instantly.
Limited Emergency Services: Rural accidents often occur far from trauma centers. The delay in reaching specialized medical care can worsen injuries and reduce survival chances.
Intersection Hazards: Many serious crashes occur at uncontrolled rural intersections where stop signs are ignored or visibility is limited by cornfields. When an 80,000-pound truck runs a stop sign on Highway 48, the results are catastrophic.
Fatigue Corridors: Long-haul drivers traversing Iowa on I-29 or US-71 may push through drowsiness to reach destinations, creating deadly risks for local traffic.
We know these roads. We’ve investigated crashes on County Road L-49, near the Villisca Vespers rest area, and along the Highway 34 corridor. Local knowledge matters when reconstructing accidents and proving negligence.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle
Jackknife Accidents: When a truck brakes improperly or hits ice, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, blocking multiple lanes. We’ve handled jackknife cases on icy stretches of Highway 48 where the truck effectively became a 53-foot obstacle across the roadway.
Rollovers: Top-heavy loads, sharp curves on rural roads, and soft shoulders contribute to rollovers. When a grain truck rolls on a county road, the spill creates secondary hazards and the cab often crushes anything in its path.
Underride Collisions: The most horrific of accidents—when a passenger vehicle slides under the trailer. Despite federal regulations requiring rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many trucks have inadequate protection, leading to decapitation and catastrophic head injuries.
Rear-End Collisions: Trucks need 525 feet to stop at highway speeds. Distracted or fatigued drivers rear-end smaller vehicles with devastating force. We see these frequently in stop-and-go traffic near agricultural processing facilities.
Cargo Spills: Unsecured grain, loose livestock, or shifting equipment creates chaos. During harvest season, Montgomery County sees increased incidents of spilled corn creating slick surfaces that cause multi-vehicle pileups.
Tire Blowouts: Iowa’s temperature extremes and agricultural debris on roads cause tire failures. When a steer tire blows at 65 mph, the driver often loses control instantly.
Brake Failures: Downshifting on steep grades or deferred maintenance leads to brake fade. Runaway trucks on declining rural roads terrorize communities.
Every accident type requires specific evidence and expertise. We know what to look for, where to find it, and how to prove it.
Catastrophic Injuries Require Maximum Compensation
Trucking accidents don’t cause bumps and bruises. They cause catastrophic, life-altering trauma.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: From concussions to severe TBI requiring lifelong care. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, inability to work, and emotional regulation problems. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Paraplegia and quadriplegia requiring wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 care. Lifetime costs often exceed $4 million. We’ve handled spinal cord cases resulting in $4.7 million to $25.8 million recoveries.
Amputations: Whether traumatic amputation at the scene or surgical removal due to crushing injuries, limb loss changes everything. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining create massive costs. Our amputation settlements range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
Wrongful Death: When a trucking accident takes a loved one, families deserve full compensation for lost income, lost companionship, and funeral expenses. We’ve recovered $1.9 million to $9.5 million for wrongful death cases, with some verdicts reaching much higher when punitive damages apply.
As client Kiimarii Yup shared, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” That’s what real recovery looks like—getting your life back.
Insurance Companies Have One Goal: Pay You Less
Here’s the truth that insurance companies don’t want you to know: their adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. They take courses on how to get accident victims to accept lowball offers before they understand the full extent of their injuries.
They’ll tell you:
- “You don’t need a lawyer; we’ll take care of you.”
- “This is our best offer.”
- “Your injuries aren’t that serious.”
- “If you hire a lawyer, you’ll get less after fees.”
None of it is true. Statistics show that represented victims receive significantly higher settlements even after attorney fees are paid. Why? Because we know the law, we know the values, and we know their tactics.
Lupe Peña spent years on the defense side. He knows every trick they use. He knows that “Colossus” software they use to calculate “fair” settlements is designed to minimize payouts. He knows they want you to give a recorded statement before you’ve seen a doctor so they can twist your words later.
Don’t talk to them. Let us handle it. Call 888-ATTY-911.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montgomery County Trucking Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Iowa?
Two years from the accident date for personal injury, two years from the date of death for wrongful death. But don’t wait—evidence disappears fast.
What if I was partially at fault?
Iowa uses comparative negligence. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can recover, but your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. We work to minimize your assigned fault percentage.
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 settled cases for $2.5 million to $5 million for serious injuries.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re willing to go to court. We have the resources and federal court experience to try your case if necessary.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs for investigation and experts. The initial consultation is free.
What should I do immediately after the accident?
- Call 911 and get medical attention
- Take photos of everything—vehicles, scene, injuries, skid marks
- Get the truck driver’s information and company details
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies
- Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
That’s common in interstate commerce. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court, and we can pursue out-of-state companies that operate in Iowa. Federal trucking regulations apply nationwide.
Hablamos Español?
Sí. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis. We provide fluent Spanish services without interpreters.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Montgomery County Case?
We’re not a billboard factory handling thousands of cases with paralegals and assistants. When you hire us, you work directly with attorneys. Ralph Manginello gives clients his personal cell phone number.
We’re trial lawyers. We’ve taken on BP—one of the world’s largest corporations—in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston. We don’t back down from big opponents.
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, and we handle trucking cases throughout Iowa and nationwide. Our 4.9-star Google rating with over 251 reviews speaks for itself. As 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 treat you like family. As Chad Harris told us, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
The Bottom Line: You Need a Fighter, Not Just a Lawyer
Montgomery County families work hard. They farm the land, they run small businesses, they raise their kids with traditional values. When a trucking company’s negligence shatters your life, you deserve a law firm that works just as hard for you.
You deserve someone who understands that $30,000 won’t cover a traumatic brain injury. You deserve someone who knows that spinal cord injuries require millions in lifetime care. You deserve someone who will look the insurance adjuster in the eye and say, “That’s not enough.”
Ralph Manginello has been fighting for 25+ years. Lupe Peña brings insider insurance knowledge. Together, we’ve recovered over $50 million for clients. We know federal trucking law. We know Iowa negligence rules. And we know Montgomery County’s roads.
The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. You need someone protecting yours. Evidence is disappearing. The clock is ticking.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. 24/7 availability.
Don’t let them get away with it. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Let Attorney911 fight for every dime you’re owed.
Hablamos Español. Llame hoy.
