Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating collisions on our roadways. Commercial trucks’ sheer weight and size make them dangerous on the road and detrimental to accidents. Every year, truck drivers cause or contribute to thousands of collisions, leading to hundreds of crashes and dozens of fatalities. Call a truck accident attorney in Minneapolis of Robert Wilson & Associates today to schedule a free consultation at (612) 334-3444 so we can begin to evaluate your claim and get you the settlement you deserve.
Because trucks are such large and heavy machines, drivers are required to abide by specific traffic laws to keep themselves and others safe on the road. They must inspect their vehicles regularly, file reports with truck companies before and after trips, and pay close attention to their vehicle’s limits, such as elongated stopping distances, wider turns, no-zones, or blind spots. These conditions create safety along our roads until a negligent driver or company violates them.
Unfortunately, these trucks are instrumental to our daily lives. We must drive beside them daily and at night as they deliver the necessary products. Most of the time, they go almost unnoticed down our highways and roads, although occasionally, we have to reckon with the damage they inflict in serious accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed by a collision with a truck, you might be entitled to receive compensation. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitative needs. In the wake of an accident, all negligent or reckless parties can and should be held accountable. Hiring a Minneapolis truck accident lawyer can help you handle the complexities of truck accident cases and secure your rights.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Many factors can cause or contribute to an accident with a truck. A semi truck accident often involves complex legal issues and responsibilities. The following are the most prevalent cases that result in collisions:
Driver error
Truck drivers must pay close attention to traffic devices and adhere to Minnesota and federal laws regulating highways and roadways. Driver error can include a failure to maintain a lane, come to a complete stop in the right amount of time, inattention to no-zones or blind spots, or reckless activities like speeding and tailgating. Any driver error can cause a severe accident when it comes to commercial vehicles.
Drunk driving
Intoxicated driving is a major cause of commercial and passenger vehicle accidents in Minnesota. Prescription drug and alcohol use impairs a driver’s ability to operate a huge vehicle safely. It is a major violation of the law and the right of other drivers to safety. Because of the mass of commercial trucks, contracted drivers are required to abide by lower blood alcohol content limits than other drivers. They should also not drink or use drugs at all while on the job. However, many drivers still recklessly do so and cause accidents every year.
Inattentive or fatigued driving
Truck drivers are required to limit their driving hours to avoid fatigued driving. In Minnesota, the Department of Transportation allows truck drivers to operate their vehicles for no more than 11 hours at a time. Fatigued driving prevents truck operators from devoting their full attention to the road. Inattentive driving can also include reckless and negligent acts that threaten the safety of other drivers on the road. This can include texting while driving, or other verbal, manual, or cognitive distractions.
Defective vehicles and malfunctions
Trucks must be inspected regularly to prevent any maintenance failures while driving. Truck drivers and companies are responsible for creating and maintaining records of malfunctions, defective parts, and then fixing any issues before trips take place. If a driver fails to report an issue or the truck company fails to fix a problem, either party may be held accountable. In some cases, a parts manufacturing company or mechanic may also be negligent for supplying a faulty part, They could also be held liable by failing to maintain the truck adequately. Brakes, tires, steering mechanisms, and coupling devices are all common culprits of truck accidents.
Improperly loaded cargo
Cargo loading is a key component of safe truck driving. If a truck’s load is unbalanced or improperly loaded, it may shift on the road, causing a driver to lose control of the vehicle and roll over. This could also prevent the truck from coming to a stop in time. The driver, truck company, or shipping company may all play a role in this aspect of any truck accident.
Safe driving practices around semi trucks are important due to the size and weight disadvantages faced by passenger vehicles in collisions.
Any of these factors may precipitate a serious accident, and several factors may work in tandem. When coupled with bad weather, construction or high-traffic zones, and any other driver’s negligence, these problems are exacerbated and made more dangerous. Truck accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries. This includes traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, which have long-term implications for survivors.
Minnesota Truck Accident Statistics
The Minnesota Office of Public Safety reported that in 2022 alone, 4,797 trucks were involved in crashes throughout the state. Sixty-one of those crashes proved fatal.
Many more crashes resulted in serious injuries. 1,284 injuries were reported that year due to collisions with commercial trucks. An alarming majority of these accidents were caused by driver error, including drunk, intoxicated, or fatigued driving.
All drivers should remain awake, sober, and attentive to the road. However, truck drivers must be particularly responsible when hauling heavy loads in large trailers.
Choosing the most experienced, compassionate, and resourceful team of attorneys is the most important thing you can do for yourself after a truck accident. The Robert Wilson & Associates has been that team for Minnesota for almost three decades.
Why do I need a lawyer for my truck accident?
Many parties are involved in a truck’s function. After an accident, you may be up against a combination of the following parties:
- Truck drivers
- Truck companies
- Insurance companies
- Shipping or cargo loading companies
- Mechanics
- Parts manufacturers
Without an attorney, it can be incredibly challenging to determine which party is most responsible. Truck accident attorneys in Minneapolis have a vast array of investigative resources they use to determine the parties most at fault for the collision. They can also extract information from witnesses and law enforcement much more effectively. This is based on their status as an informed legal professional.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
A Minneapolis truck accident attorney also understands what you as the victim are up against in a personal injury claim. Truck and insurance companies are highly experienced in dealing with injured individuals. These insurance adjusters know all of the legal strategies to make your accident seems as though it was your fault. They can make your injuries seem overblown or not due to the crash. They can also put the blame on the shoulders of a driver with less insurance coverage and payouts. Oftentimes, they can even claim that a driver was a contracted employee over whom they did not exercise control over.
After a truck accident, you will need an attorney to fight for your right to compensation while you heal and to stand up against entities with deep pockets allotted for settlements in a truck accident case. Truck accident claims require timely filing to ensure compensation is secured. Truck and insurance companies will attempt to offer small settlements that may seem like a satisfactory amount to an individual in need of rehabilitative treatment.
An truck accident lawyer in Minneapolis will be able to make an accurate evaluation of your truck accident injuries and help you to obtain the maximum possible compensation. This includes every reasonable expense, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that you may need in the future to heal from another person’s negligence. The complexity of a truck accident lawsuit necessitates having an experienced attorney to handle the legal process and secure the best possible outcome.
Why Choose Robert Wilson & Associates?
Our team has more than three decades of experience in truck accident cases that allows us to confidently stand up against powerful entities looking to escape their obligation to compensate victims of painful accidents.
Our empathetic team of attorneys will employ every resource at our disposal to make sure your injuries are paid for in full by the driver or company responsible for your trucking accident. We care for our clients is unmatched by any law firm in the region. Our lawyers try get to know individuals, not just cases. Then, we cater to the needs of those individuals in order to secure the best possible results.
We understand that trucking accidents can be devastating and strive to make accident litigation as painless as possible. We offer all of our services on a contingency fee basis, meaning our efforts are free of charge until we win you compensation for your injuries.
Contact Us Today
Were you hurt in a truck accident in Minnesota? Did a reckless truck driver or negligent trucking company cause you to suffer severe injuries, incur expensive medical bills, and cost you the use of your vehicle? If so, turn to an experienced Minnesota truck accident lawyer for help right away. At Robert Wilson & Associates, our team fights for the rights of truck accident victims in Minnesota. We’ll be ready to help you get the full compensation you are owed.
We take on each case as we would welcome you to our family, and look forward to fighting for your rights up against powerful and negligent trucking companies that believe they are above the law. Call us today at (612) 334-3444 for a free consultation so we can begin to evaluate your claim.