Commercial vehicles and semi trucks on Minneapolis roads and highways are involved in several collisions every year. An accident involving a large truck, such as a semi-truck, and a smaller vehicle on the road may result in fatalities or serious injuries to individuals involved. Truck accidents pose a greater risk since they are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road.
Around 130,000 individuals are injured in truck accidents annually, and heavy trucks are believed to be involved in 74% of all fatal passenger car instances. Hiring a truck accident attorney will help you get the compensation you need to deal with the consequences if you were seriously hurt in a truck accident. Read this article to learn more about Minneapolis truck accident lawyers and the claims process.
Factors That Contribute To Accidents
Since Minneapolis sits in the middle of the contiguous United States, trucks are ubiquitous on both surface streets and highways. It is crucial to realize that accidents involving commercial trucks frequently contain problems unrelated to those seen in normal collisions involving motor vehicles. Here are some of these factors:
- Size: Due to their size, semi trucks can be quite difficult to maneuver.
- Stopping Time: Trucks that are heavier than average cars have a harder time stopping.
- Braking System: The braking systems used by tractor-trailers can overheat and malfunction.
- Truck Trailers: Truck mobility can be significantly impacted by tanker trailers. Internal dividers in a tank may lessen the sloshing impact.
Filing A Claim
Any injured party may submit a claim to be compensated for the harm and loss brought on by the accident. You must be aware of your rights and take immediate action.
Statute Of Limitations
For the initiation of a claim, Minnesota has several time restrictions. Typically, a truck accident negligence claim must be filed within six years of the date of the injury. However, it’s important to note that depending on the specifics of the truck accident, the appropriate time limit may be considerably shorter. The plaintiff’s side must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations term runs out in all civil personal injury cases.
Gathering Evidence
To support your claim, you will have to provide evidence. Some essential information that you must collect after the accident is:
- Personal Information
- License plate number
- Insurance carrier
- Insurance policy number
- Images and videos
Apart from this, there are certain documents you must prepare:
- Medical Bills: The full degree of your injuries must be documented to calculate the damages you’ll need to recuperate.
- Crash Report: Crash reports demonstrate the location and timing of the collision, proving that your car was damaged and you suffered injuries as a result. This typically makes pursuing damages much simpler.
- Black Box Data: One piece of evidence that most drivers are unaware of is the black box in a truck. It is very helpful in figuring out what caused the incident and continuously captures mechanical data about the truck.
Damages And Liability
In Minnesota, several parties may be held accountable for the losses incurred in truck accident lawsuits. During a civil trial, the truck company, truck owner, truck driver, trailer leasing firms, truck manufacturer, and maybe other parties can be cited as defendants. The drivers may be identified as defendants in the action if the truck driver dangerously operated the large rig and did not adhere to road and traffic rules. Damages typically include both economic and non-economic compensation.
Legal Assistance
You can benefit from seeking legal advice and representation from a lawyer if you were hurt in a truck accident or lost a loved one. A lawyer can help you collect the maximum amount of compensation. Every recovery option will be considered, including your insurance and the driver’s liability coverage.
Final Thoughts
In recent years, vehicles and the trucking business in and around Minneapolis have expanded. Due to Minnesota’s geographic center, proximity to the Mississippi River, and local industry, truck accidents are fairly common. If you or a loved one have been in a truck catastrophe, it is imperative to seek legal assistance.
