Fatal Truck Accidents
When a person is killed in a collision with a commercial truck in Iowa, the consequences for their family are immediate, permanent, and devastating. Behind every case is a grieving family trying to make sense of the loss, while trucking companies, insurers, and defense attorneys move quickly to protect their own interests. These corporations often deploy investigators and legal teams within hours, collecting evidence, shaping narratives, and working to limit liability before the victim’s family has time to respond. This is why fatal truck accidents demand experienced, aggressive legal representation. These cases involve complex federal and state regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and significant financial exposure for the defendants.
Iowa Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer
Families need more than sympathy, they want attorneys who understand the trucking industry, know how to uncover the full truth, and are prepared to hold the right parties accountable. McCarthy & Hamrock represents the families of those killed in fatal truck accidents in Des Moines, Polk County, and throughout the state of Iowa. Call our firm at 515-279-9700 to request a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and potential claims for compensation. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, which means you don’t pay us any legal fees. Instead, our firm gets a percentage of the settlement or verdict or upon achieving a victory in your case. Learn more essential information about fatal truck accident cases in Iowa, including common causes, legal claims, available compensation, and how an experienced Iowa fatal truck accident attorney can help families pursue justice on behalf of their loved one.
Overview of Fatal Truck Accidents in Iowa
- Common Types of Deadly Truck Accidents in Iowa
- Fatal Injuries From Truck Accidents
- Fatal Truck Accident Statistics
- Where Fatal Truck Accidents Happen in Des Moines
- Who Is Legally Responsible for a Fatal Truck Accident in Iowa
- How a Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer in Iowa Helps Victims’ Families
- Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Truck Crashes in Iowa
- Resources
Common Types of Deadly Truck Accidents in Iowa
Rear-End Collisions with Trucks — These crashes happen when a truck slams into the back of a smaller vehicle or when a car crashes into the rear of a slow-moving or stopped truck. Fatalities are more common when the rear underride guard on the truck is weak or missing. In Iowa, rear-end crashes involving trucks often happen at stoplights, rural intersections, or on high-speed roads where braking distance is limited. Iowa Code § 321.307 requires drivers to maintain a safe and reasonable following distance, but when a commercial truck fails to do so, the results are often deadly.
Underride Accidents — When a passenger car ends up sliding under the trailer of a semi-truck, the top of the vehicle may be sheared off, often resulting in instant death. Even though many trailers are required to have rear underride guards, there are no strict Iowa laws requiring side guards, and that leaves drivers vulnerable during side-impact collisions. The size mismatch between cars and trucks makes underride events especially lethal.
Jackknife Accidents — When a truck folds in on itself, forming an angle like a pocketknife, it can crush nearby vehicles or sweep them off the road. This happens when the truck’s drive axle brakes lock up or the trailer swings out while the cab continues moving forward.
Rollover Crashes — A fully loaded truck that tips over, either from sharp turns, soft shoulders, or uneven cargo distribution, can cause fatal outcomes for anyone nearby. These accidents often block several lanes and can involve crushing forces that smaller vehicles can’t withstand. Iowa Code § 321.285 sets limits on safe speeds based on road conditions, but when truck drivers ignore speed limits—especially on ramps and curves—the risk of a fatal rollover increases.
Blind Spot (No-Zone) Collisions — Semi-trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, particularly along the right side and directly behind the trailer. When a truck changes lanes or turns without seeing a car in the no-zone, it can cause deadly side-impact crashes or force smaller cars off the road. Iowa requires commercial drivers to use turn signals and check mirrors under Iowa Code § 321.314, but the law can’t prevent collisions when a driver is reckless or distracted.
Tire Blowouts and Road Debris Accidents — A sudden tire failure at highway speeds can cause the truck to swerve, roll over, or send heavy rubber debris flying into traffic. Cars struck by flying tire pieces or crashing into debris can spin out or cross medians, leading to fatal crashes.
Lost Load or Shifting Cargo Accidents — When cargo isn’t secured properly, it can shift during transport or fall off the truck entirely. This creates sudden hazards for other drivers and can cause deadly chain-reaction crashes, especially on busy highways. Iowa Code § 321.460 makes it illegal to operate a truck with improperly secured loads, but violations still occur and often lead to catastrophic results.
Pileups Involving Multiple Vehicles and Trucks — When a semi is involved in a chain-reaction crash, it often leads to mass casualties. These pileups typically occur on interstates like I-80 or I-35 during bad weather or in foggy conditions. The sheer size and weight of a truck add deadly force to every impact.
Truck Driver Fatigue or Impairment Accidents — Long hours behind the wheel lead to slower reaction times and poor decisions. If a driver falls asleep or drives impaired, the result is often a fatal crash—especially on rural roads where emergency response is slower.
Brake Failure and Mechanical Malfunction Crashes — When a truck’s brakes fail or the engine shuts down, the driver may have little to no control. Fatal accidents happen when the truck can’t stop in time or veers off the road. Iowa requires all vehicles to be in safe mechanical condition under Iowa Code § 321.430, but some companies cut corners to save money.
Fatal Injuries From Truck Accidents
Decapitation and Crushing Injuries — In underride collisions, where a car ends up underneath a truck’s trailer, the top of the passenger vehicle can be completely torn off. These crashes often lead to instant death from crushing or decapitation.
Severe Burns and Thermal Injuries — Trucks that carry flammable materials or hazardous chemicals pose an extreme risk during a crash. When a tank ruptures or ignites, victims can suffer fatal burns.
Brainstem and High-Level Spinal Cord Injuries — The force of a truck collision often leads to trauma that severs or crushes the upper spinal cord or brainstem. These injuries usually result in immediate death or total loss of bodily function.
Massive Blunt Force Trauma to Organs — Fatal truck crashes can crush the chest or abdomen, destroying vital organs like the heart, lungs, or liver. These internal injuries are hard to detect from the outside and are often only confirmed in autopsies.
Fatal Ejection Injuries — When a vehicle is struck with enough force or rolls over after a crash, the person inside can be ejected. This often happens when seat belts fail or when the structure of the vehicle gives way. Victims who are ejected almost always suffer fatal head injuries or spine injuries.
Fatal Truck Accident Statistics
In 2023, large trucks were involved in more than 5,300 fatal crashes in the country—43% higher than a decade ago. There were nearly 5,500 deaths from large-truck crashes, with 70% being occupants of other vehicles, 18% truck occupants, and 12% non-occupants such as pedestrians and cyclists. Over half of fatal truck crashes happened on rural roads, 25% on interstates, and 62% occurred during daylight. The peak months for fatal crashes were August and October, with the fewest in February. Notably, 5% of fatal crashes took place in work zones. An estimated 70 fatal truck crashes occurred in Iowa in 2023.
Where Fatal Truck Accidents Happen in Des Moines
I-235 Through Downtown Des Moines — This major highway runs directly through the city center and is one of the busiest roads in Iowa. With multiple lanes, tight interchanges, and daily congestion, fatal truck crashes can happen when drivers try to merge too quickly, get distracted, or drive too fast.
Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 Interchange Zones — These two interstates intersect just outside Des Moines and are key corridors for long-haul trucking. These areas are often packed with semi-trucks, especially during early morning and late-night hours.
Southeast 14th Street and East University Avenue — These city roads are major trucking routes that run through densely populated neighborhoods. Commercial trucks often use them to make local deliveries. Their proximity to businesses, intersections, and pedestrian crosswalks makes fatal collisions more likely when drivers fail to yield or turn too quickly.
U.S. Route 65 and U.S. Route 69 — Located just outside the main city area, these routes are known for heavy truck use and limited police patrols. Fatal truck crashes on these roads are often linked to speeding, wide turns, or rural intersections where visibility is low.
Iowa State Highway 5 — Running along the southern part of the Des Moines metro, this highway serves as a bypass for many trucks avoiding the city core. The road sees fatal accidents when trucks speed through curves or ignore yield signs at on-ramps.
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Fatal Truck Accident in Iowa
The Truck Driver — In many cases, the driver of the truck is held responsible when their actions cause a fatal crash. This could include speeding, fatigue, distracted driving (Iowa Code § 321.276), or drunk driving (Iowa Code § 321J.2). Even if no specific law was broken, the driver may still be held liable in a wrongful death case if their actions are found to be negligent or careless.
The Trucking Company — A trucking company can be responsible for a fatal crash if it failed to follow safety rules, hired an unqualified driver, or pressured drivers to break hours-of-service limits. Under Iowa law, employers can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees when they are acting within the scope of their job.
The Vehicle Manufacturer or Maintenance Provider — If the crash happened because of a mechanical failure like faulty brakes or steering issues, the company that built the defective part or maintained the truck could be held responsible. Companies have a duty to maintain vehicles safely per Iowa Code § 321.430. If the truck failed a required inspection or was knowingly put on the road in a dangerous condition, this could support a claim.
The Cargo Loader or Third-Party Shipping Company — When improperly loaded or unsecured cargo causes a fatal crash, the party responsible for loading it may be held liable. This usually involves a third-party logistics or warehouse company. Iowa Code § 321.460 also makes it illegal to operate a vehicle with cargo that isn’t properly secured, and if a shifting load contributes to a fatal crash, those responsible for loading may be brought into the lawsuit.
Other Drivers or Entities — Sometimes, a third driver or public entity contributed to the crash. For example, a passenger car might cut off a truck, leading to a pileup. Or poor road maintenance might have caused the truck to lose control. Iowa’s comparative fault law, Iowa Code § 668.3, allows a court to assign fault to multiple parties. As long as the victim is found to be less than 51% at fault, the family can still recover damages.
How a Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer in Iowa Helps Victims’ Families
Building a Case After a Fatal Truck Crash — A fatal truck accident leaves behind grieving families, massive medical and funeral bills, and the need for justice. From day one, the commercial truck accident lawyer moves quickly to preserve evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, dashcam footage, and inspection records. They coordinate with accident reconstruction experts, locate witnesses, and issue legal notices to prevent the trucking company from altering or destroying key records. These cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility, including the truck driver, their employer, cargo handlers, and sometimes even parts manufacturers—requiring an attorney who understands Iowa trucking laws and how to apply Iowa law to uncover every liable party.
Filing Insurance Claims and Lawsuits for Full Compensation — In fatal truck crash cases, lawyers also play a central role in pursuing both insurance claims and wrongful death lawsuits. Iowa Code § 611.20 allows certain surviving family members to bring legal claims on behalf of the deceased. Damages include funeral and burial expenses, medical costs before death, loss of future earnings, and loss of companionship or guidance under Iowa Code § 633.336. In some cases, survival actions may also be brought under Iowa law if the deceased lived briefly before passing. A fatal truck accident attorney knows how to present both economic and emotional losses in court and in settlement talks. These cases are not just about filing paperwork—they are about confronting commercial insurers and defense lawyers who will work aggressively to minimize payouts. Having a wrongful death lawyer who understands the unique nature of fatal truck crashes means families are not alone, and they can focus on healing while someone fights for the justice they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Truck Crashes in Iowa
How long does the family have to file a lawsuit in Iowa?
Two years from the date of death under Iowa’s wrongful death statute, Iowa Code § 614.1(2).
Can the trucking company be held responsible even if the driver caused the crash?
Yes, under Iowa law, employers are liable for acts done by drivers during their employment.
What kind of compensation can the family get after a fatal truck accident?
Wrongful death damages may include funeral costs, lost earnings, and loss of companionship under Iowa Code § 611.20.
Should families get a lawyer for an insurance claim after a fatal crash?
Yes, because trucking insurers often delay or underpay claims unless legally challenged.
What if the truck driver was only partly at fault?
Iowa’s comparative fault law, Iowa Code § 668.3, allows recovery if the victim was less than 51% at fault.
Is there a difference between a fatal truck crash and a car accident case?
Yes, truck cases involve more parties, more evidence, and specific trucking laws and regulations.
Can a lawyer still help if the crash happened in a rural area of Iowa?
Yes, fatal crashes in rural zones are common and can still be fully investigated and litigated.
What if the truck’s brakes or parts failed?
The truck owner or maintenance provider can be held liable if they violated Iowa Code § 321.430.
Is it possible to settle a fatal truck crash case without going to court?
Yes, many cases are settled out of court, but fair outcomes usually require legal pressure.
Resources
Iowa Department of Transportation — Driver & Crash Statistics — This source provides access to crash and driver statistics from the Iowa Department of Transportation. Users can find data on traffic fatalities, distracted driving, motorcycle crashes, OWI revocations, and more.
Iowa Department of Management — Vehicle Crashes in Iowa 2019–2023 — This report analyzes vehicle crash data across Iowa from 2019 to 2023. It reviews patterns in crash frequency and severity by time of day, day of week, month, substance involvement, speeding, holidays, and county size. The report includes statistical findings to identify when and where crashes are more likely to result in injuries or fatalities.
NSC — Fatal Truck Accident Statistics — This resource from the National Safety Council provides statistics on fatal crashes involving large trucks in the U.S. It includes annual trends, crash and injury data, and details about people involved by role (e.g., truck occupants, other drivers, pedestrians).
National Library of Medicine — Fatigue, Hours of Service, and Highway Safety — This source reviews research on how fatigue and work hours affect crash risk among commercial motor vehicle drivers. It covers studies on performance issues related to fatigue, regulations on hours of service, and crash statistics.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety — Causes of Large Truck Accidents — This source discusses factors contributing to large truck crashes, including driver fatigue, equipment defects, braking issues, and lack of underride guards. The resource also highlights the importance of crash avoidance systems and federal trucking regulations.
Hire a Fatal Truck Accident Attorney in Des Moines, Iowa
If a loved one of yours was killed in a commercial truck accident in Des Moines, Iowa, hire a skilled, experienced personal injury attorney to fight for you. The lawyers at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. have more than seven decades of combined legal experience. We represent accident victims the Des Moines area, including Polk County and Dallas County, Story County, Warren County, Marion County, Mahaska County, Adair County, Madison County, and throughout the state of Iowa.
We will seek just compensation for your family’s pain and suffering. We are not afraid to take on trucking companies and their insurance companies in order to obtain a satisfactory settlement. We are also experienced trial attorneys and we are prepared to go to court if necessary to get justice for you. Call us today at (515) 279-9700 to schedule a consultation.