18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serving Todd County, Minnesota

When an 80,000-Pound Truck Changes Everything on a Rural Minnesota Highway

The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re navigating the snow-dusted roads near Long Prairie or heading east on I-94 toward St. Cloud; the next, an 80,000-pound semi-truck is jackknifing across your lane or barreling through an icy intersection. In Todd County, where agricultural haulers share narrow highways with long-haul freight and winter storms can turn black ice into a deadly trap, these accidents aren’t just statistics—they’re life-altering tragedies that unfold in seconds but affect families for decades.

We don’t have to tell you how dangerous rural Minnesota trucking corridors can be. You already know that when a fully loaded grain truck or interstate freight liner loses control on US-71 or US-10 during a January blizzard, physics isn’t on your side. That truck weighs twenty times what your sedan does. It needs nearly two football fields to stop on dry pavement—let alone ice. And when the collision happens, the trucking company already has lawyers on speed dial.

We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been holding freight companies accountable since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours—including $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim and $3.8 million for an amputation case. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for insurance companies defending these exact claims. Now he fights against them, and that insider knowledge gives you an unfair advantage against the adjusters who want to minimize your pain.

If you’ve been hurt in a Todd County 18-wheeler accident, the clock started ticking the moment the metal bent. Evidence disappears fast—black box data can be overwritten in 30 days, and trucking companies send rapid-response teams to protect their interests while you’re still in the hospital. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We answer 24/7, we serve clients throughout Minnesota, and we don’t charge a penny unless we win your case.

Why Todd County Trucking Accidents Are Different

Todd County isn’t Houston or Chicago. Here, you’re dealing with unique risks that urban attorneys don’t understand. The stretch of I-94 that bisects the county carries massive freight volume between Fargo and the Twin Cities, while US-71 and US-10 serve as vital arteries for agricultural shipping—grain, dairy, and livestock haulers moving between processors and farms. During harvest season, these roads see a massive spike in heavy truck traffic. In winter, that same traffic battles minus-twenty wind chills and glare ice.

Agricultural trucking dominates our roads. From July through October, grain trucks and livestock haulers create intense congestion on rural routes. These aren’t always professional long-haul operators—sometimes they’re farm employees operating heavy equipment with minimal training or oversight. When they overload trailers or skip maintenance during the rush of harvest, catastrophic failures happen.

Winter conditions create perfect storm scenarios. Jackknife accidents spike between November and March when black ice forms on bridges over Long Prairie River or when blowing snow reduces visibility on I-94. Brake systems fail more frequently in extreme cold. Tire blowouts happen when drivers don’t adjust pressure for temperature drops. And that 525-foot stopping distance we mentioned? On ice, it might as well be a mile.

Rural emergency response challenges. If you’re in a serious accident near Browerville or Eagle Bend, airlift might be your only option to a Level I trauma center. Response times are longer. Evidence preservation is harder when accident scenes sit on remote stretches of highway for hours before investigators arrive.

This is why you need a firm that understands federal trucking regulations and the specific dangers of rural Minnesota highways. We know that a case in Todd County requires different investigative strategies than one in downtown Minneapolis. And we know that Minnesota’s specific legal framework—including that two-year statute of limitations and modified comparative negligence rules—creates unique hurdles that require immediate attention.

Minnesota Law: What Todd County Accident Victims Need to Know

The Clock is Ticking: Minnesota’s Statute of Limitations

Here’s the truth that keeps us up at night: In Minnesota, you have just two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you lost a loved one, you have three years for a wrongful death claim. Wait too long, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how devastating your injuries or how clearly negligent the truck driver was.

But that two-year deadline is deceptive. Evidence in 18-wheeler cases doesn’t wait two years. It waits two weeks. Thirty days. Maybe sixty if you’re lucky. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) only requires trucking companies to keep certain records for six months. Electronic logging device (ELD) data can be overwritten in 30 days. And the trucking company? They’re building their defense team right now while you’re reading this.

Minnesota’s Comparative Negligence: The 51% Bar

Minnesota follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 51% bar. Translation: You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault for the accident. But if you’re found 51% or more responsible—even if that other driver ran a red light or fell asleep at the wheel—you recover nothing.

This matters enormously in Todd County trucking cases because insurance companies love blaming winter weather or rural road conditions for accidents. They’ll argue you were driving too fast for conditions, even when their driver was fatigued and violating hours-of-service regulations. They’ll claim you failed to yield at an unmarked intersection on a County Road when their trucker blew through a stop sign with a trailer full of frozen brakes.

We’ve seen adjusters twist facts to push liability percentages over that 51% threshold. It’s a tactic designed to scare you into accepting pennies on the dollar. Ralph Manginello has been fighting these specific strategies for 25 years, and Lupe Peña knows exactly how insurance companies calculate these percentages because he used to be the one doing the calculations.

No Caps in Minnesota

Unlike some states, Minnesota does not cap non-economic damages—your pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are also available when trucking companies act with deliberate disregard for safety. When a carrier knowingly puts a tired driver on the road or skips brake maintenance to save money, we can seek damages designed to punish them, not just compensate you.

The Federal Framework: FMCSA Regulations That Protect Todd County Drivers

Every 18-wheeler operating in Todd County—whether it’s a FedEx Ground truck on I-94 or a local grain hauler on County Road 11—is subject to strict federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules are codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), and violations are proof of negligence.

We investigate every potential FMCSA violation in your case. Here’s what we’re looking for:

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards

Before a trucker ever turns the key in your Todd County intersection, they must meet strict qualification standards. 49 CFR § 391.11 requires drivers to be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce, physically qualified per § 391.41, and hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

More importantly, 49 CFR § 391.51 requires motor carriers to maintain a Driver Qualification (DQ) File containing:

• Three years of driving history from previous employers
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test results
• Current medical examiner’s certificates (renewed every 24 months maximum)
• Annual driving record reviews

When we subpoena these files—and we do, immediately—we often find trucking companies hired drivers with suspended licenses, failed drug tests, or histories of fatigue-related crashes. That’s not just negligence; that’s negligent hiring, and it makes the company directly liable for your injuries.

49 CFR Part 392: The Rules of the Road

49 CFR § 392.3 prohibits operating a commercial motor vehicle while the driver’s ability or alertness is impaired by fatigue, illness, or any other cause. This applies whether the driver is officially “on the clock” or not. If we can prove fatigue through ELD data showing violations, we can establish liability under this regulation.

49 CFR § 392.4 and § 392.5 strictly prohibit drug and alcohol use within four hours of duty or while operating the vehicle. Given Minnesota’s harsh winters, we also cite § 392.14, which requires extreme caution in hazardous conditions—meaning driving appropriate for ice, snow, or low visibility on I-94 during a blizzard.

Mobile phone use violates 49 CFR § 392.80 (texting) and § 392.82 (handheld phone use). We subpoena cell phone records to prove distracted driving.

49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement

This is where we find the violations that cause Todd County’s most dangerous winter accidents.

49 CFR § 393.75 specifies tire requirements—minimum tread depth of 4/32″ on steer tires and 2/32″ on other positions. When a truck loses control on ice near Osakis because of bald tires, that’s a federal violation.

49 CFR § 393.100-136 governs cargo securement. Agricultural loads must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. When a grain truck spills its load on MN-27 because of inadequate tiedowns, causing a multi-car pileup, those specific cargo securement violations become evidence of negligence.

49 CFR § 393.40-55 covers brake systems. With winter corrosion and salt exposure on Minnesota highways, brake maintenance is critical. Post-trip inspection reports under 49 CFR § 396.11 often reveal drivers knew about brake problems but continued driving anyway.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) – The Fatigue Rules

This is the big one in long-haul cases. Since December 2017, 49 CFR § 395.8 mandates Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record:

• Driving time (maximum 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty)
• The 14-hour duty window (cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty)
• The 30-minute break requirement (after 8 cumulative hours of driving)
• The 60/70-hour weekly limits

When a trucker falls asleep crossing the centerline on US-71 at 3 AM, we download that ELD data immediately. It often shows systematic violations—drivers pushing past 11 hours, skipping breaks, or falsifying logs. That’s not just a traffic ticket; it’s evidence of a corporate culture that values delivery schedules over human lives.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

49 CFR § 396.3 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial vehicles. In Todd County, where road salt corrodes brake lines and extreme cold drains batteries, this requirement is literally life-or-death.

Annual inspections under § 396.17 must cover 16+ systems. If a trucking company deferred maintenance to save money during an economic downturn, and that brake failure caused your accident on a frozen county road, that maintenance record becomes the smoking gun.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis: Why You Must Act Immediately

We cannot stress this enough: The first 48 hours after a Todd County trucking accident are critical. While you’re in the hospital at CHI St. Gabriel’s or being treated at Lakewood Health System, the trucking company is working.

They’ve dispatched a rapid-response team to the scene. Their insurance adjuster has already photographed the vehicles from angles that minimize damage. Their safety director is pulling ELD downloads. And in 30 days? That electronic control module (ECM) data—the black box showing speed, braking, and throttle position—could be overwritten permanently.

This is why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained.

A spoliation letter is a formal legal demand requiring the trucking company, driver, and any maintenance providers to preserve all evidence. Once they receive this letter, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation,” and Minnesota courts can impose severe sanctions—including instructing the jury to assume the destroyed evidence would have helped your case.

What we demand preservation of:

• ECM/EDR data (speed, braking, steering input, fault codes)
• ELD logs (hours of service, GPS location history)
• Driver Qualification Files (employment history, medical certifications, drug test results)
• Maintenance records (brake inspections, tire changes, repair logs)
• Dispatch records (communication showing delivery pressure)
• Dashcam footage (often deleted within 7-14 days)
• Cell phone records (proving distracted driving)
• Physical vehicle components (failed brakes, tires, cargo securement devices)

Don’t let crucial evidence disappear into a Minnesota winter storm. Call 888-ATTY-911 immediately after any serious trucking accident in Todd County.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Todd County

Every accident is unique, but Todd County’s geography and climate create specific patterns. We’re experienced with all of them:

Jackknife Accidents

When a trucker brakes too hard on ice—perhaps avoiding a deer on MN-35 or reacting to sudden slowdown on I-94—the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, blocking multiple lanes. We investigate brake balance issues under 49 CFR § 393.48 and whether the driver adjusted speed for winter conditions under § 392.14.

Rollover Accidents

Top-heavy grain trucks are particularly vulnerable on county roads with soft shoulders or on the curves approaching the Long Prairie River. Speeding around these bends with a high center of gravity causes rollovers. We examine cargo loading records to see if improper distribution violated 49 CFR § 393.100.

Rear-End Collisions

With stopping distances approaching 600 feet on ice, a distracted or fatigued trucker can easily slam into stopped traffic at a rural intersection. We focus on following distance violations under 49 CFR § 392.11 and ELD data proving hours-of-service violations.

Underride Collisions

When a passenger vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the results are often fatal decapitation injuries. We verify compliance with 49 CFR § 393.86 requiring rear impact guards, and we push for industry reform on side underride guards.

Blind Spot (“No-Zone”) Accidents

The right-side blind spot on an 18-wheeler is enormous—extending several lanes back. When a truck changes lanes on I-94 near the Todd County line and strikes a vehicle, we examine mirror compliance under 49 CFR § 393.80 and the driver’s training records.

Brake Failure Accidents

Salt corrosion coupled with deferred maintenance creates brake failures on the hills and valleys of central Minnesota. We subpoena maintenance logs under 49 CFR § 396.3 and brake adjustment records under § 396.11.

Tire Blowouts

Extreme temperature fluctuations between Minnesota’s brutal winters and humid summers degrade tires. We check compliance with 49 CFR § 393.75 and inspection records under § 396.13.

Cargo Spills and Hazmat Incidents

Agricultural chemicals, propane, or industrial freight spilled on a rural road creates toxic exposure risks. We investigate loading compliance with Part 393 and whether the shipper properly classified hazardous materials under 49 CFR Part 172.

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

Large trucks must swing wide to navigate tight corners in downtown Long Prairie or Browerville. When they crush a vehicle in the gap, we examine turn signal usage and driver training.

Head-On Collisions

Fatigued drivers drifting across the centerline on two-lane highways like US-71 or MN-27 at night—these often result in fatalities. We immediately secure ELD data to prove Hours of Service violations under Part 395.

Who’s Responsible? The Web of Liable Parties

Most people think you just sue the driver. In Todd County trucking accidents, that’s rarely enough. We pursue all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery:

The Truck Driver: For speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or traffic violations.

The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier: Under respondeat superior (vicarious liability), the company is responsible for its employee’s negligence. Plus, under 49 CFR Part 391, they may be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance.

The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If a grain elevator overloaded a trailer or failed to disclose hazardous conditions, they share liability.

The Loading Company: Third-party loaders who improperly secured cargo under 49 CFR Part 393 can be sued directly.

Manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, or coupling devices that failed in Minnesota’s extreme temperatures create product liability claims.

Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent brake repairs or inspections.

Freight Brokers: Companies like C.H. Robinson or Coyote Logistics (both with Minnesota connections) who arranged shipment with unsafe carriers may be liable for negligent selection.

Government Entities: If poor road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe winter road conditions contributed to the accident.

Catastrophic Injuries and Real Settlement Values

When 80,000 pounds collide with 3,000 pounds, catastrophic injuries are inevitable. We’ve represented Todd County families dealing with:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries from head trauma. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, and cognitive deficits. Our settlement range for TBI cases: $1.5 million to $9.8 million, depending on severity and long-term care needs.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Paraplegia and quadriplegia from crushed vertebrae. Lifetime care costs can exceed $5 million. Our settlements for spinal injuries range from $4.7 million to $25.8 million.

Amputations

Traumatic limb loss in crush accidents or surgical amputation due to irreparable damage. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and home modifications are expensive. Our amputation settlements: $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Wrongful Death

When a family loses a breadwinner on I-94 or a parent on a county road, the financial and emotional devastation is immeasurable. Our wrongful death recoveries range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

Real results we’ve achieved:

• $5 million+ for a traumatic brain injury (falling log/logging company case)
• $3.8 million+ for partial leg amputation (car accident with medical complications)
• $2.5 million+ for commercial trucking accidents

As client Glenda Walker told us: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” And Donald Wilcox, who came to us after another firm rejected his case, 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.”

Frequently Asked Questions: Todd County 18-Wheeler Accidents

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in rural Todd County?

Call 911 immediately—emergency response may take longer in rural areas. If you’re able, photograph everything: damage, the truck’s DOT number, cargo, skid marks, and road conditions. Get the driver’s CDL information and company details. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine; adrenaline masks serious injuries. Then call our firm at 1-888-ATTY-911. We can consult remotely and dispatch investigators immediately.

How is Minnesota different from other states for trucking accidents?

Minnesota has a two-year statute of limitations (three for wrongful death), uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar, and has no damage caps. Plus, our specific challenges—winter weather, agricultural traffic, and rural emergency response—require specialized knowledge.

What if the trucking company claims I was partially at fault for driving in winter conditions?

This is a common defense, but it’s weak. Under Minnesota law, you can recover as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. More importantly, federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.14 require truckers to exercise extreme caution in hazardous conditions. If they were driving too fast for ice or snow, they’re liable regardless of the weather.

How long will my case take?

Straightforward cases settle in 6-12 months. Complex litigation involving multiple defendants or catastrophic injuries may take 18-36 months. We prepare every case for trial from day one—the insurance companies know we’re ready, which often accelerates settlement.

Do I need to come to Houston, or can you handle my Todd County case remotely?

We handle cases across the United States. While we’re based in Houston with offices in Austin and Beaumont, we partner with local Minnesota counsel when necessary and travel to Todd County for depositions, site inspections, and trial. Federal court admission allows us to handle interstate trucking cases regardless of where you live.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?

We pierce that veil. Under FMCSA regulations and Minnesota’s motor carrier laws, owner-operators are often still covered by the contracting company’s insurance. Plus, negligent hiring and maintenance claims apply regardless of employment status.

Will my case really go to trial?

Probably not—98% of personal injury cases settle. But we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Why? Because insurance companies pay more to lawyers who have a reputation for winning in court. Ralph Manginello’s 25 years of trial experience—including federal court—means adjusters take our demands seriously.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% if settled pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover money for you. We also advance all investigation costs.

Hablamos Español?

Sí. Lupe Peña, nuestro abogado asociado, habla español con fluidez. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para consultas en español sobre accidentes de camiones en Todd County.

Why Todd County Families Choose Attorney911

You have choices. There are local attorneys in Long Prairie and Staples. There are big firms in St. Cloud and Minneapolis. Here’s why families from Browerville to Eagle Bend call us when a trucking accident devastates their lives:

We know the inside game. Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies. He knows the Colossus software they use to calculate your pain as a number, the scripts adjusters follow to minimize your claim, and the pressure tactics they use to rush you into low settlements. Now he uses that knowledge against them.

Federal court experience matters. Interstate trucking cases often belong in federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and handles complex federal trucking litigation. This isn’t just state traffic court—it’s federal transportation law.

We have the resources. BP Texas City explosion litigation. Fortune 500 defendants. We don’t blink when facing major trucking carriers or their insurance giants. Currently, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university—proof we take on powerful institutions and win.

We treat you like family. As our client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” You’re not a case number. You’re a person whose life was upended by corporate negligence, and we treat your fight like it’s our own.

We maximize recovery by finding every liable party. While other firms settle for the driver’s $750,000 policy, we investigate the broker, the shipper, the maintenance company, and the manufacturer. Multi-million dollar recoveries require finding multiple insurance pools.

Your Next Step: Call Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company already has lawyers. Their insurance adjuster has already calculated what they’ll offer to make you go away. Their safety director has already pulled the ELD data.

What are you doing?

If you or a loved one were injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Todd County—from Long Prairie to Browerville, from the I-94 corridor to the farthest reaches of Moran Township—you need immediate legal protection. Evidence preservation is time-sensitive. Black box data is being overwritten. Witnesses are forgetting details. And the statute of limitations clock is ticking.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. We answer 24/7. The consultation is free. There is no obligation. And if you can’t travel, we’ll come to you—or consult via secure video conference.

Don’t let the trucking company determine what your future looks like. You deserve maximum compensation. You deserve justice. You deserve an attorney who knows exactly how to beat the insurance industry at its own game.

Attorney911. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.

Ralph Manginello, Managing Partner, Attorney911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Licensed in Texas and New York. Admitted to Federal Court. 25+ years of experience. Multi-million dollar results. Hablamos Español.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Your family is waiting.