Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyer Summarizes the Issues Involved in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
In a crash involving a 60,000 pound truck and a 6,000 pound car, the automobile never comes out victorious. Both the passengers and the driver of the car are likely to sustain serious personal injury or wrongful death in an accident involving large trucks such as semi trucks, eighteen wheel rigs, tractor-trailers, garbage trucks, dump trucks, tanker trucks, delivery trucks or an ambulance.
There are rigorous, comprehensive laws that govern the operation of large commercial trucks on Minnesota roads. Operators of such vehicles must comply with restrictions concerning the number of hours in a day that they can operate their truck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces these timing restrictions. In addition, truck drivers must have a Class A license. Truck drivers must submit to random alcohol and drug tests along with background checks.
Under Minnesota law, both the driver of the truck and the owner of the truck, may be liable for injuries arising from a Minnesota truck accident. Recovery may be made for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and emotional trauma.
Truck accidents frequently arise in a number of situations, such as:
- Inclimate Weather;
- Extreme Crosswinds;
- Falling Debris and Material;
- Negligent Passing;
- Inappropriate Truck Upkeep;
- Truck Driver Sleep Deprivation;
- Inappropriate Loading;
- Drug or Alcohol Use by the Driver;
- Malfunction of Brakes; and
- Jackknifing.
Under Minnesota law, a person injured in a truck accident must bring their lawsuit within six years (reduced to two years if the accident results in a wrongful death claim). Despite these long time lines it is important to speak with reputable truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Trucks involved in a crash may be fixed and return to the road in a prompt manner. As a result, critical evidence may lost if an investigation is delayed.
Truck accident lawsuits involve a thorough investigation of the facts leading to a particular truck accident, including a review of inspection logs, compliance audits, truck driver logs and records relating to prior accidents involving the particular truck driver in your case. Our truck accident lawyers often retain an accident reconstructionist to help us prove that a truck driver was to blame for the accident.
Truck accident lawsuits are defended vigorously by insurance and trucking companies. If you or a family member or friend has been injured in a truck accident, contact a MN truck accident lawyer with the Brown Law Offices, P.A. We offer free consultations at your home, work, hospital or one of our six Twin Cities metro offices. Contact us by calling (612) 789-2100 or submit an inquiry through our online consultation form.
