Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyers
CALL OUR MINNESOTA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT (800) 863-5312 TODAY
Semi-trucks, or 18-wheelers, are necessary to haul large amounts of cargo all across the country. The ability to haul these large loads, however, is exactly what makes getting into an accident with a truck more dangerous than getting into an accident with a standard-size car. Fully loaded tractor-trailer combinations can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, almost 30 times the weight of a standard-size motor vehicle. Therefore, it is no surprise that an accident with a large truck often results in serious injury and property damage. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you should contact a Minnesota semi-truck injury lawyer right away to discuss your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call (800) 863-5312 to speak with a Zinda Law Group attorney today for a free consultation. Our experienced lawyers may help you with your Minnesota truck accident lawsuit to seek the compensation you deserve.
TYPES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
According to the Department of Public Safety, there were 5,369 truck crashes in Minnesota in 2019. These crashes led to 1,431 people being injured and 56 fatalities. Although it is more likely to get in an accident with a standard passenger vehicle, accidents involving a semi-truck have a greater potential to cause serious injury, or even death. Examples of common 18-wheeler truck accidents include:
1. Jackknife
A truck jackknifes when it folds and resembles the angle of a folding pocketknife. This is not an uncommon occurrence, as seen in a recent accident in Maple Grove, Minnesota. A semi-truck with approximately 43,000 pounds of fruit jackknifed on Highway 94 in July of 2020. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
2. Wide Turns
Semi-trucks typically need to take much wider turns when compared to a standard size vehicle. Even though a truck may be going at a slower speed during these turns, you may still be seriously injured if you were involved in a wreck with a truck making wide turns.
3. Rollovers
Heavy trucks may roll over for many reasons. For example, if a semi-truck tries to change direction too quickly, the weight of the vehicle may cause the truck to tip on its side. Rollover accidents are extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury or death.
4. Brake Failure or Improper Braking
The main malfunction responsible for a large number of truck-related accidents is brake failure. Defective brakes were responsible for 56 truck crashes in Minnesota in 2019. On some occasions, vehicle manufacturers may be at fault if it can be shown they were negligent in installing the failing truck brakes.
5. Truck Driver DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous in any motor vehicle. This is especially true when the vehicle is 80,000 pounds. In 2019, there were 12 truck accidents in Minnesota caused by a truck driver who had been drinking. Further, there were four accidents caused by a truck driver who was on drugs.
6. Tire Blowout
Like brake failure, tire blowouts are a prevalent issue with trucks and can cause serious accidents.
7. Blind Spots
Due to the sheer size of 18-wheelers, there are many more blind spots than that of a typical passenger vehicle. Truck drivers may not be able to see on their right side or behind them, so it is very important to drive carefully when you are passing a large truck.
8. Collisions
There are many different types of collisions that can cause serious injury when a large truck is involved. This could include being rear-ended, hit head-on, t-boned, or being involved in an under-ride collision.
9. Shifting Loads
If the cargo on a truck or trailer is not secured correctly, it could lead to the load shifting during transit and result in an accident. An accident due to a shifting load could be indicative of negligence on the part of the truck driver or individual responsible for loading the semi.
10. Collision with Motorcycles
Crashes involving large trucks and motorcycles can be deadly due to the enormous size of the semi-truck and the small size of a motorcycle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 619 deaths from crashes involving large trucks and motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians in 2018.
COMMON CAUSES OF SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENTS
If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, it is important to determine the cause of the accident, as this may determine liability. Determining liability may affect the amount of compensation you may receive for your settlement. In Minnesota, common causes of truck accidents include:
- Following too closely resulted in 397 accidents
- Improper backing resulted in 131 accidents
- Truck driver speeding resulted in 105 accidents
- Improper passing resulted in 37 accidents.
Other examples of common causes of 18-wheeler accidents are shown below:
- Driver fatigue
- Substance abuse
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Brake malfunction
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Lighting
- Worn or punctured tires
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN MINNESOTA
What Should I Ask My Lawyer?
Can I sue for my injuries?
If you have been the victim of a truck accident, you can most likely sue the at-fault party for both your injuries and any property damage you may have sustained. Zinda Law Group’s Minnesota truck accident attorneys may help you determine who is at fault for your injuries and who you can sue for compensation.
What should I do after a truck accident?
The first thing you should do after being involved in a truck accident is to seek medical attention. No matter how small you believe your injuries to be, it is always important to get seen by a medical professional. After you are safe, you should call a semi-truck accident attorney to help guide you through the next steps in your truck accident lawsuit.
WHAT LAWS CONCERNING TRUCK DRIVERS COULD IMPACT MY CASE?
Commercial truck drivers are required to obey federal and state laws. Failure to abide by these laws may help to show liability in your Minnesota truck accident lawsuit. Examples of some of these laws are outlined below:
Commercial Driver’s License
A truck driver is required, by law, to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (“CDL”). If you are injured in a truck accident and the truck driver does not have a valid CDL, it may show that the driver was not physically or mentally capable of operating the truck at the time of the accident. This may aid you in your lawsuit by showing fault.
Logbook Requirement
A truck driver is also required to maintain a logbook. This book must contain the hours the truck driver has driven each day. If this book shows the driver logged too many hours, it may show the truck driver had been overworked or fatigued at the time of the accident.
WHO IS LIABLE IN MY CASE?
The Driver
The truck driver may be liable in your case. For instance, if the truck driver was driving negligently, failed to obtain a valid commercial license, or drove more than the legal number of hours, the truck driver could be liable for your injuries and property damage.
The Trucking Company
The truck company could also be liable for your injuries in certain situations. Employers may generally be liable for the actions of their employees if they were acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. The trucking company may also be directly liable for your injuries if, for example, if the truck was not maintained correctly.
The Insurance Company
The insurance company covering the truck company may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and property damage.
The Manufacturer of the Truck
In certain situations, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the truck. Manufacturers have a duty to ensure the products they put on the market do not have design or manufacturing defects. If the truck accident was the result of a defective part, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact a personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your case. Zinda Law Group’s Minnesota truck accident lawyers can speak with you about your case and help determine who may be at fault for your accident.
LEGAL TIME LIMITS IN MINNESOTA
The legal time limit to file a case is referred to as the “statute of limitations.” This time limit varies from state to state and may be different for each type of case. In Minnesota, you have six years from the date of your truck accident to file a claim. This deadline is important, as you may be barred from receiving any compensation for your injuries if your claim is not filed in time. Hiring a truck accident attorney will allow you to rest easy knowing your lawsuit has been filed in time.
CONTACT OUR MINNESOTA TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS TODAY
An experienced lawyer may research your accident, speak to insurance companies, and negotiate on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. If you are unable to settle with the at-fault party, an experienced attorney may fight for you in court.
Zinda Law Group’s truck accident attorneys have helped truck accident victims get their lives back on track after suffering injuries due to a semi-truck accident. Our attorneys are here to help you receive the maximum amount of compensation available for your injuries and property damage. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, call our experienced Minnesota truck accident attorneys at Zinda Law Group as soon as possible. Call (800) 863-5312 today to schedule your free consultation.
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