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Iowa Truck Accident Lawyer

Iowa truck accidents may be governed by Iowa or federal law, depending on whether the truck was involved in intrastate or interstate transport. Listed below are some Iowa laws that affect truck accidents. For a more comprehensive list of truck laws, click here.


Large trucking companies and their insurance companies work quickly to protect themselves when one of their trucks is involved in an accident, often sending investigators directly to the scene.

To protect your rights, it's imperative to have knowledgeable legal council to begin investigating immediately, preserve evidence, and help you get the best possible result in pursuing your claim against the trucking company. E.J. Leizerman and Associates is a Law Firm that accepts semi truck accident cases across the country. In Iowa, we work with Anderson and Tully, P.C., a firm that handles tractor-trailer accidents throughout the state. Robert Tully's many professional accomplishments, associations and memberships include:


• former president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, (1992-1993)
• former state delegate for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1988-1992)
• Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers Fellow
• Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy, Drake University Law School (1997)
• member of the Iowa State Bar Association's Uniform Jury Instruction Committee
• member of the Polk County Bar Association's board of directors (1992-1996)


Other members of the firm also have experience successfully handling catastrophic semi truck accidents.
E.J. Leizerman & Associates and Anderson and Tully, P.C. are familiar with exceptions to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (title 49, Parts 350-399) that affect trucks operating only in Iowa, as there are some situations where a tractor-trailer or other commercial motor vehicles are involved in only intrastate travel. For example, an appliance store in Lost Nation may own a truck that only makes in-state deliveries.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety has adopted Title 49, Parts 382-384 and 390-399 of the federal regulations with a few notable provisions, including:

Driver Qualification:

Iowa has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with some exceptions. Drivers of commercial vehicles in Iowa must only be 18 years old unless they are transporting hazardous materials, in which case, they must be 21. Federal law mandates that drivers be a minimum of 21 years of age.

Drivers must meet the Federal vision requirements (Sec. 391.41(b)(10)), unless exempted by state law.

Driving of Motor Vehicles:

In Iowa, when involved in an accident a driver must stop and give aid to anyone injured. Failure to do so could result in a fine or jail. A police officer must be contacted immediately.

Drivers cannot carry a concealed firearm unless the weapons are unloaded and either in the trunk of the vehicle or in a closed container which is too large to be effectively concealed.

Inspection and Maintenance:

Iowa has adopted Part 396 of the Federal Regulations. Special plated farm vehicles (intrastate) are exempt from the annual inspection requirement.


If you have been involved in a truck accident in Iowa, contact one of our Iowa lawyers or attorneys to help you with more information or to answer any questions you have.

In the event this material is not deemed to fully comply with the provisions of the rules of professional conduct of any particular state, this firm will not accept clients or representation that derive from the distribution of this material within those jurisdictions.

"There is an average of one death every daylight hour as a result of large truck crashes."

Learn more about State and Federal Trucking Laws