Our Rochester Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
Highway 52 and Highway 14 are home to many truck accidents in and surrounding Rochester, Minnesota. If the negligence of a truck driver has left you or a loved one dealing with the aftermath of an injury, it is important to know that you do not have to bear this burden alone.
At Restovich Braun & Associates, we combine a high degree of legal skill with the compassionate representation you need during a trying time in your life. Our focus is on making sure that you receive the compensation you need for your medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages suffered in an 18-wheeler crash.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Several factors contribute to truck accidents, some of which are more prevalent in areas such as Rochester or Minnesota.
- Distracted driving: Drivers using mobile phones, adjusting in-cab technology or becoming distracted by external factors may cause dangerous accidents.
- Speeding: Trucks that exceed speed limits require longer distances to stop, increasing the risk of a collision.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol, drugs or medications can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time.
- Weather conditions: Slippery roads caused by ice, snow or heavy rain in Minnesota can make truck operation difficult, especially when drivers fail to adjust.
- Driver fatigue: Long shifts and inadequate rest can lead to drowsy driving, a major cause of accidents, particularly in rural areas like Rochester.
Understanding these causes and types of truck accidents helps to determine who may be at fault and how to pursue compensation for damages.
Types Of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can take many forms, including:
- Jackknife accidents: These occur when the truck’s trailer swings out, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab, often due to sudden braking or hazardous conditions.
- Rollover accidents: High speeds, sharp turns or road conditions in Rochester or Minnesota can cause a truck to tip over, endangering everyone in its path.
- Underride collisions: Smaller vehicles may slide under the rear or side of a truck, often resulting in serious injury or death.
- Tire blowouts: A sudden tire failure can cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to catastrophic accidents.
- Wide turn accidents: Trucks taking wide turns can unintentionally collide with other vehicles or obstacles if not executed carefully.
Knowing the different types of truck accidents can help determine liability and improve safety measures for all drivers.
Liability In Truck Accidents
Determining liability is complex and depends on various factors. Multiple parties may be held liable for the accident, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
Liability is determined through an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, including reviewing driver logs, truck maintenance records and witness testimonies.
Truck Accidents And Serious Injuries
These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. This leaves injury victims facing a future of high cost medical procedures, rehabilitation, possible home renovations, in-home care and lost earnings.
We will focus on making sure that you receive the compensation you need now and in the future to fully compensate you for what you have been through and the costs you will continue to face. Our Rochester personal injury attorneys will partner with experts such as accident reconstructionists, physicians, economists, life care planners and others to build the strongest possible case for maximizing your compensation.
Common Questions Regarding Minnesota Commercial Truck Accidents
We know that trucking accidents can be complex and confusing. The following are answers to a some commonly asked questions we receive regarding truck accidents:
Who can be held liable in an accident involving a commercial truck?
Trucking accidents can become complicated quickly because responsible parties may include:
- An independent owner/operator of the truck
- A trucking company who owns the truck and/or employs the driver
- The company shipping their goods with the truck, as they may have loaded it improperly
In some cases, a mechanic or manufacturer could have created a defect in the truck.
Are truck drivers always at fault?
Truck drivers are not always at fault, but they must follow a host of state and federal safety regulations beyond the normal traffic laws. Truck drivers who violate those regulations and cause an accident face liability. In some cases, however, the accident may result from something outside of the driver’s control, such as improper truck maintenance or overloading the truck.
How is blame/negligence determined in a trucking accident?
Minnesota is a comparative negligence state, meaning that more than one party can share liability. Facts must be carefully evaluated in a trucking accident because multiple parties may carry blame. While a jury may find that the driver is 50% at fault, they may also find that the company that loaded the truck is 25% at fault and that you are 25% at fault. That would mean you could recover 75% of your damages.
Why would I need an attorney for my truck accident case?
Although you have six years from the date of your accident to bring your personal injury claim in Minnesota, you should talk to an attorney right away. Trucking companies and their insurance providers have a team of attorneys building a case against your claim from the day the accident happens. Unless the insurance companies take your threat of legal action seriously, they have no incentive to settle for what you deserve. You need an attorney who can level the playing field and maximize your compensation.
They Have Lawyers. Do You?
Trucking companies have a lot of money. And they will have a lot of lawyers on their side looking to rob you of what you deserve. You need lawyers on your side who are focused on making sure you are taken care of and that negligent drivers and companies are held accountable.
Contact our Rochester office today for a free consultation by completing our online inquiry form or calling 507-218-2004. At Restovich Braun & Associates, we as invested in your case as you are.