Anoka Truck Accident Attorneys
Large Truck Accidents in Minnesota
Traffic accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles tend to be far more devastating than typical car accidents. Due to their immense size and weight, large trucks can cause massive damage, often leading to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and physical and mental pain and suffering can be difficult because these cases may involve several parties, commercial insurance carriers, and extensive records. Victims and their families may face challenges proving liability and pursuing compensation under the facts of their case.
At Bolt Law Firm, our Anoka truck accident attorneys handle complex personal injury and commercial vehicle accident claims. Our firm is known for our aggressive approach to litigation, as well as our willingness to take cases to trial whenever necessary. If you or someone you love was involved in a collision with a large truck or commercial vehicle, we encourage you to reach out to our team today to discuss your legal options.
Commercial Vehicle Claims & Trial Experience
We have served Anoka County and Minnesota clients since the 1980s. Our founder is a certified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and our lead attorney brings 11 years of experience representing insurance companies. That background informs our detail-oriented approach to commercial trucking liability and the issues insurers may raise in a serious injury claim.
We take time to understand each client’s circumstances and keep clients informed as their matter progresses. Prospective personal injury clients can schedule a free consultation with our firm.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Severe?
Commercial trucking is an important part of local and interstate commerce. Unfortunately, commercial trucks and buses account for many motor vehicle collisions. You have undoubtedly seen the mangled wreckage of a passenger vehicle on the side of the road that was hit by a semi-truck.
Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks, buses, and other large vehicles can present serious hazards on the road. Truck accidents typically result in serious, long-lasting injuries to the occupants of the other vehicles involved. A commercial truck rear-ending a car can be devastating given the momentum of the truck.
Momentum is a product of weight and speed. A large commercial truck has substantial mass and requires more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. It does not have to be traveling at a high speed to strike a car with considerable force and cause severe injuries or fatalities. The effects can be even more devastating when tractor-trailers, big rigs, and other large trucks are involved in side-impact and head-on collisions.
18-Wheeler, Semi-Truck & Tractor-Trailer Collisions
Semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, big rig, and commercial truck are commonly used descriptions for large freight vehicles. An 18-wheeler accident attorney in Anoka can examine the vehicle involved and the way the collision occurred when evaluating potential claims.
Underride crashes, jackknife collisions, rollovers, blind-spot impacts, wide turns, cargo shifts, and rear-end crashes can raise different liability questions. The vehicle type and collision configuration may affect the evidence investigators seek, including cargo loading and securement records, truck maintenance and inspections, and electronic vehicle data.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Commercial truckers are highly trained professionals who are often considered more skilled than the average driver. However, truck driver error, negligence, and wrongful conduct can contribute to large truck crashes.
Examples of truck driver error, negligence, and wrongful conduct include:
- Distracted driving, including texting or cellphone use
- Fatigued driving and/or falling asleep at the wheel
- Speeding and driving too fast for current conditions
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Violating traffic laws or rules of the road
- Disobeying red lights, stop signs, and other traffic control devices
- Driving aggressively or recklessly or engaging in road rage
- Tailgating, or following too closely behind other vehicles
- Unsafe or unlawful turns, passing, or lane changes
Not all truck accidents are caused by the truck driver, however. Some result from outside and/or additional factors.
These include:
- Overloaded or improperly loaded truck cargo
- Failure to conduct vehicle inspections
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Poor or inadequate truck repairs
- Negligent hiring or supervision of truck drivers
- Hours-of-service violations
- Defective truck design or components
- Defective roadways
It is important to determine the cause of a truck accident, as it can indicate who may be liable for the victim’s resulting damages. For those seeking damages beyond Minnesota no-fault insurance benefits, identifying potentially liable parties is critical. Depending on the evidence, a claim may involve the driver, trucking company, cargo-loading company, maintenance provider, vehicle or parts manufacturer, or an entity responsible for a roadway condition.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
A collision between a truck and a car is more likely to result in death and/or severe injury than one between two passenger vehicles. Furthermore, these accidents are far more treacherous for passengers in cars than those in large trucks.
Injuries common to victims of truck collisions include:
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Back injuries
- Broken bones/fractures
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Scars and disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Rib and torso injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Organ damage
Many truck accidents result in fatal injuries. When this happens, surviving family members of accident victims may have wrongful death claims against the liable party or parties.
Whether you were injured in a collision with a large truck, or your loved one tragically passed away due to a fatal crash, our Anoka truck accident attorneys can help. At Bolt Law Firm, we offer free consultations during which we can learn more about your situation, answer your questions, and provide detailed information about potential next steps. Our personal injury practice includes catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, and we have represented clients with traumatic brain injuries and serious orthopedic injuries, including cases involving multi-six-figure recoveries.
Determining Fault for a Truck Accident
Like other car accidents, truck accidents are covered by no-fault insurance in Minnesota. Minnesota no-fault benefits provide basic economic-loss coverage, but the benefits available and whether an injured person may pursue a claim against an at-fault party depend on the injury and applicable law.
Additionally, no-fault insurance does not provide compensation for all losses, including non-economic damages such as physical and mental pain and suffering. Whether a person can bring a claim or lawsuit directly against a liable party depends on statutory requirements and the facts of the case.
Investigating Fault & Potential Liability
To pursue a claim against an at-fault party, it is important to establish who was at fault. This involves providing evidence of who was at fault for the collision. A commercial truck accident investigation should begin as soon after the collision as possible because the trucking company and its insurance company may act quickly when serious injuries or a death occurred.
Our Anoka truck accident lawyers take a meticulous, tailored approach to investigating complex claims. Relevant evidence may include police reports, photographs, witness accounts, scene evidence, vehicle damage, medical records, driver logs, electronic logging device data, hours-of-service records, inspection and maintenance records, cargo documentation, training records, and commercial trucking requirements.
Accidents involving commercial trucks or buses can take years to resolve. Any delays, beginning with the initial investigation, can make a case more difficult to process. Our lead attorney’s prior insurance-company representation also provides insight into how insurers may evaluate and defend these claims.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Minnesota filing deadlines vary according to the type of claim, the defendant, the injury, whether a death occurred, and other circumstances. Minnesota law contains different limitation periods, including a general two-year provision for many personal injury tort actions and six-year provisions for certain other claims. An Anoka truck accident lawyer can review the facts of your situation and identify the deadline that may apply.
Even when time remains to pursue a claim, the longer you wait to bring it, the harder it can be to prove your case. Delays can make relevant evidence more difficult to preserve, including commercial records and electronic data.
Our Anoka truck accident lawyers provide personal attention and aggressive advocacy after collisions involving large commercial vehicles.
Truck Accident Claim Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers address common questions about truck accident claims.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
After ensuring your safety, call 911, seek medical attention, document the scene with photos if possible, gather witness information, and avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Potential compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Available damages depend on the facts, injuries, insurance coverage, and applicable law.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Truck Accident?
Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault, but any recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Truck Accident Claim in Anoka?
Because trucking companies and insurers often have aggressive legal teams, working with an Anoka truck accident lawyer can help you investigate the crash, assess liability, and communicate with insurers about your claim.
What Evidence Is Important in a Truck Accident Case?
Evidence should be preserved promptly. The records that matter depend on the collision and parties involved.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, liability issues, available evidence, and whether the claim resolves through negotiation or litigation.
Can I Get a Free Consultation About My Truck Accident Claim?
Yes. We offer free consultations to prospective personal injury clients. During the consultation, we can discuss the collision, your injuries, and the information needed to evaluate possible next steps.
Contact us online or call (763) 292-2102 to discuss your case with our Anoka truck accident lawyers. Your initial consultation is free, and we will keep you informed about the status of your legal matter.