When You Need Hard-Working Minnesota Truck Accident Attorneys on Your Side, Trust Nicolet Law
Did you suffer an injury in a truck accident in Minnesota? If so, you already know how life-changing these accidents can be. In the blink of an eye, a truck collision can turn your life upside down. When this happens, you deserve to have someone in your corner who can fight for you. You need a Minnesota truck accident attorney from Nicolet Law.
Semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents often cause severe, life-changing injuries. These injuries can result in burdensome medical bills, extreme physical pain, and debilitating emotional trauma. These challenges can leave truck crash victims feeling powerless.
However, trusting the right attorney for your case can mean the difference between dealing with a growing pile of medical bills while you are missing work and losing your regular source of income and having the resources you need to recover from your catastrophic injuries.
At Nicolet Law, we fight for injury victims’ rights throughout Minnesota. We are committed to guiding each of our clients through the legal system and toward a full physical and financial recovery.
We have the skills, knowledge, and experience to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company—or take your case to trial, if necessary. When you work with us, we will empower you to take the action needed to secure the compensation you deserve.
Injured in Minnesota? Get Nicolet.
Why Choose the Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyers at Nicolet Law?
After a serious trucking accident in Minnesota, you may find yourself facing an uncertain future. Your time and your energy are better spent on your recovery and treatment - not on dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters. The legal team at Nicolet Law can handle the legal burdens for you, so you can focus on what really matters - rebuilding your life after a serious Minnesota truck accident.
At Nicolet Law, our mission is to help injured trucking accident victims obtain justice. We do this by holding negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable for their actions. We are skilled negotiators and litigators who aren’t afraid to fight the tough battles for our clients.
Our lawyers have collected more than $40 million for our injured clients over the last 14 years, and we are a nationally recognized, award-winning law firm. While past success never guarantees future results, you can rest easier knowing you have a team of skilled and experienced trial attorneys in your corner.
With offices in Duluth, Hibbing, Minneapolis, and Woodbury, our Minnesota personal injury attorneys are available wherever your accident occurs. We can meet with you at one of our convenient Minnesota locations, in your home, or even virtually. To better serve you and help answer your questions, we offer FREE initial consultations for all injured truck accident victims.
Call us today to learn more about your legal options at 612-688-4459. We are available 24/7 and we're here to help you through this difficult time.
Related practice area: Minnesota Car Accident
Nicolet Law is the Proud Law Partner of the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Truck Accident Statistics and Laws
In Minnesota, commercial truck accidents are common, especially in inclement weather. As winter approaches, roads, freeways, and bridges become icy and difficult to navigate. Semi-truck drivers must use extra caution when traveling through Minnesota. When commercial drivers behave negligently, they can cause serious and even fatal truck accidents.
Minnesota Trucking Crash Statistics
In one recent year, more than 4,300 truck accidents occurred on Minnesota roads and highways. These accidents resulted in more than 1,300 injuries and 60 deaths. This was a 4 percent increase from previous years.
A fully loaded big rig truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In comparison, the average passenger car weighs just 3,000 pounds. Due to the sheer size and weight of large commercial trucks, semi-trucks, and big rigs, occupants in passenger vehicles usually suffer the majority of injuries and fatalities.
Minnesota Trucking Laws
The State of Minnesota has its own trucking safety regulations and laws. In addition, each truck driver and trucking company must also follow federal trucking rules and regulations outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When trucking companies or their drivers cut corners or break these rules and regulations, they can bear responsibility for the truck accidents that injure other motorists.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation outlines the various Minnesota trucking laws and regulations. One of those laws is that each truck driver must have a truck driving qualification file that includes:
- Driver's employment application
- Past 3 years of employment
- Past 3 years of driving history
- Annual driving records
- Annual certification of violations
- Certificate for road test
- Medical certificate
Truck drivers in Minnesota must also follow specific driving hours of service if they operate commercial vehicles. This means not driving over the recommended amount of time and taking frequent rest breaks. Other Minnesota laws include commercial driver’s licensing, record keeping requirements, and vehicle identification requirements.
At Nicolet Law, our Minnesota truck accident attorneys know Minnesota and federal trucking laws and regulations inside and out. This knowledge helps us provide the best representation for our clients after a serious truck crash.
What Happens After a Minnesota Truck Collision?
How the Trucking Company and Its Insurers Respond
Immediately after a Minnesota truck accident, the trucking company and its insurers will go to work to minimize their liabilities. They may comb the accident site for evidence or even work to get rid of the truck's black-box data quickly. While they are working to build their defense and protect their bottom line, you might be in the hospital fighting for your life.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a semi-truck accident, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer looking out for your rights and well-being during this time. The trucking companies will do everything they can to protect themselves, and the insurance companies will pull every trick in the book to avoid providing you fair compensation. Thankfully, you can turn to the lawyers of Nicolet Law Firm during your time of need.
How Nicolet Law Responds
Unlike the trucking or insurance companies, the trusted Minnesota truck accident attorneys at Nicolet Law are not focused on our bottom line—we care about you and your recovery. When you trust us with your case, we will focus on leveling the playing field. We will work tirelessly to secure a settlement or jury award that provides you with compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other losses now and into the future.
Our Minnesota truck accident lawyers will:
- Gather evidence at the accident scene
- Examine the crash site and vehicles
- Speak to eyewitnesses
- Obtain police reports
- Work with your medical team
- Petition the courts to preserve black-box data
- Obtain maintenance records and shipping documents
- Review and preserve log books or other important crash documents
Some of this evidence will disappear as time passes, so it's important to partner with an experienced truck accident law firm right away. Once we start working together, we can begin gathering the important information we will need to build a solid injury claim on your behalf.
How Much Is My Minnesota Truck Accident Claim Worth?
After a truck accident, injured accident victims often want to know how much their case is worth. This is a difficult question to answer since each case is different, and many factors determine how much your case is truly worth. At Nicolet Law, we work to evaluate your specific case and determine how your injuries will affect your life and your future. We then use this to demand the maximum compensation possible to ensure you have what you need to move forward after a catastrophic Minnesota truck collision.
Some of the factors that will affect how much your truck accident case is worth include:
- The extent of your injuries
- Cost of medical bills
- Estimate of future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Amount of insurance coverage available
- Ability to work or continue in your profession
- Loss of future earnings
- Ability to continue your former lifestyle
It is not uncommon for trucking accident victims in Minnesota to receive awards or settlements in the millions. However, to learn more about your specific legal options and how much your case might be worth, we encourage you to call our law firm and speak with one of our Minnesota truck accident lawyers. We are here to evaluate your case specifically and answer all your questions.
Nicolet Law is a Proud Partner of the Minnesota Wild
Common Causes of Minnesota Truck Crashes
Many factors can contribute to a commercial trucking accident. Our legal team thoroughly investigates every detail of trucking crashes to identify their cause and determine liability so that we can secure maximum compensation for our clients.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the top 10 factors contributing to trucking accidents include:
- Brake problems: Defective or poorly maintained brakes can prevent a truck from stopping with enough time to avoid an accident. The FMCSA estimates that brake problems contribute to approximately 29 percent of trucking accidents.
- Traffic flow interruption: Previous crashes, traffic congestion, and other interruptions are the second leading factor contributing to truck accidents.
- Prescription drug use: Truck drivers must submit to regular drug and alcohol tests, but even prescription medications can impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle.
- Traveling too fast for conditions: Winter weather hazards, such as snow, sleet, and ice, are especially dangerous for commercial vehicle drivers. Driving too fast under any of these conditions may lead to an accident.
- Unfamiliarity with roadway: Truck drivers frequently have to pick up or drop off cargo in areas they do not know. FMCSA data suggests that around 22 percent of truck accidents involve drivers who are unfamiliar with the route.
- Roadway problems: Poor road conditions play a role in many serious trucking accidents. Common hazards include potholes, uneven lanes, and work zones.
- Failing to come to a complete stop: While standard-size vehicles have a stopping distance of around 316 feet, semi-trucks need about 525 feet to brake under the same conditions. Truck accidents often occur when drivers do not have enough time or space to stop.
- Over-the-counter drug use: Like prescription drugs, some over-the-counter medications have the potential to affect a driver’s motor skills, judgment, and reaction time.
- Distracted driving: All drivers are susceptible to distractions, including cell phones, vehicle controls, food or drink, and external stimuli. Individuals driving commercial vehicles need to remain particularly vigilant.
- Fatigue: When a truck driver does not get enough sleep, drives too long without a break, or engages in strenuous nonwork activities, they can cause serious and fatal truck accidents. Truck driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents in Minnesota.
These accidents often result in death or catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, lost limbs, and fractures. At Nicolet Law, we understand that these injuries can have long-term implications for accident survivors. We will settle for nothing less than the full compensation our clients need to recover.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Minnesota Truck Accident?
Before an injured victim can request compensation after a Minnesota trucking accident, they must identify who or what caused the accident. This often involves the concept of negligence or a failure to exercise reasonable care. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a common example of negligent driving.
While truck drivers may cause serious accidents due to their negligence, they can also share the blame with others. At Nicolet Law, our legal team will work hard to identify every party responsible for your truck accident in Minnesota.
Additional parties that may be to blame after a Minnesota truck collision include:
Vehicle manufacturer. Manufacturers have a duty to produce parts and equipment that are safe for roadways. When accidents result from manufacturing defects or equipment failures, the truck’s manufacturer may be liable.
Trucking company. A trucking company may be considered negligent if it fails to inspect or maintain its vehicles properly, sets unrealistic expectations for its drivers, or hires an inexperienced or unqualified driver.
Owner-operator. An owner-operator is an independent contractor who owns a commercial vehicle. Although these individuals typically work for larger trucking operations, they are personally responsible for maintaining their vehicles. If equipment failure or poor maintenance results in an accident, the owner-operator may be held legally responsible.
Cargo loader. Those who load cargo onto a truck are responsible for ensuring the load is secure. If an accident happens because a trailer has been loaded haphazardly, the cargo-loading company or team may be liable for damages.
Third Parties. Sometimes, a truck collision can result because of other parties on the road. For example, if a third party such as a bicyclist, pedestrian, motorist, or even a motorcyclist caused the crash, they can be held responsible for the trucking accident.
Government Agencies. If a government agency was responsible for maintaining the roadways in Minnesota, and a truck collision occurred because of the road’s poor conditions, the agency can be held accountable for the losses and injuries that occurred.
Thankfully, when you work with an experienced Minnesota truck accident lawyer at Nicolet Law following your collision, you will not have to worry about figuring out who was responsible for the crash by yourself. These attorneys can promptly investigate the accident, figure out liability, and make sure all responsible parties are held accountable for the harm you sustained.
Dedicated Truck Accident Attorneys Helping You Put Your Life Back Together
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a semi-truck accident, it is crucial to have an experienced personal injury lawyer looking out for your rights and well-being. The trucking company and insurance companies will focus on ways to avoid paying fair compensation. Thankfully, you can turn to the lawyers of Nicolet Law Firm during your time of need.
Our mission is to secure a settlement or jury award that provides the compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and other losses, both current and into the future.
Minnesota Truck Accident FAQ
Our Minnesota truck crash lawyers answer many questions from injured truck accident victims. We have compiled this list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help others after experiencing a similar horrifying accident. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of the legal remedies you can pursue to secure the financial compensation you need. For specific information about your unique circumstances, reach out to our legal team today.
What Are The Most Dangerous Locations For Truck Accidents in Minnesota?
Hazardous roadways and intersections can play a major role in devastating trucking crashes. For instance, in Minnesota, the following roads and intersections have been ranked as some of the most dangerous in the state, resulting in countless accidents:
- The intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and East 26th Street in Minneapolis
- The intersection in St. Cloud, at state highways 15 and 23 in
- The intersection in Brooklyn Center where Minnesota Highway 252 meets 66th Avenue
- The I-94 corridor
No matter where your truck collision occurred, if another party’s wrongful actions caused this accident, you should reach out to an experienced Minnesota truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Talented attorneys can review your crash, figure out what happened, and help you receive the financial recovery you deserve.
How Much Time Do You Have to File an Injury Lawsuit Following a Trucking Accident in Minnesota?
The statute of limitations is a law that indicates the specific amount of time you have to file a legal lawsuit following an alleged offense. If you do not file the suit within that allotted period, you can be barred from collecting compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered.
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations to file an injury claim after a trucking collision is typically six years from the date of the accident. However, there may be exceptions to this rule that can impact this window of opportunity.
That is why, following a truck accident, you should speak with a trusted Minnesota truck accident attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as quickly as possible. We can verify the maximum time you have to file your case and also file your civil lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
What Do You Need to Do Following a Minnesota Truck Crash to Protect Yourself?
Even though the situation following a trucking crash can be chaotic, stressful, and overwhelming, victims of semi-truck collisions need to understand that the steps they take after an accident can not only help keep them safe but ensure that their legal rights are protected.
Assuming you are physically able, following a truck accident, you should:
- Contact the Authorities Immediately. After a truck collision in Minnesota, you need to call 911 right away. This is the quickest way to alert the authorities about your accident, create a record, and notify emergency medical crews if you need immediate medical assistance. Once the police arrive, they can perform a preliminary investigation of the accident for their police report. If you decide to pursue legal action after the crash, this report can provide valuable details about the incident.
- Gather Evidence From the Scene. If it is safe for you to do so, you should try to collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. This should include videos and pictures of your visible injuries, skid marks on the road, the road conditions, the weather at the time of the accident, the vehicles involved in the crash, and any other evidence that can help show what happened.
- Exchange Information With Others. After a truck crash, you should exchange details with everyone involved in the accident, including names, driver’s license numbers, insurance information, and contact details. However, as you speak to these individuals, be careful about what you say. Avoid making definitive statements about what happened, taking the blame for anything that occurred, or apologizing after the accident. These types of comments can end up hurting your case and reducing the amount of money you may receive.
- Check for Witnesses. If there were individuals at the crash scene who saw what happened, ask for their names and contact information. These witnesses can often provide you with valuable details regarding the crash and also help back up your claim.
- Get to a Doctor Right Away. In the rare situation where you do not require emergency medical treatment following a trucking accident, it is still important that you see a doctor right away after the collision. Many times, symptoms of serious injuries such as brain trauma can take days to even weeks to appear. Yet, the longer you delay treatment, the more serious the condition can become. Receiving prompt medical treatment is also important to support your legal case. Insurance companies are always looking for any reason to deny your claim or pay you less money than you deserve. If you do not seek medical help soon after the trucking accident, the insurance company will try to argue that your injuries resulted from a subsequent event or are not that serious. Medical professionals can provide evidence of a direct connection between the harm you sustained and the trucking accident.
What Damages Can You Request Following a Minnesota Truck Accident?
If you have been injured in a Minnesota trucking collision due to another person’s negligent or reckless actions, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. Generally, in Minnesota, this compensation includes the following:
Economic Damages: These damages refer to the actual and verifiable losses that result from an accident, such as:
- Medical bills, including past, current, and future medical expenses related to doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, emergency services, and prescription medication
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Personal property damages
- Replacement costs
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic Damages: These damages refer to the subjective losses that occur after an accident. They are not easily quantifiable.
They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mutilation
- Trauma
- Sexual or reproductive harm
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of companionship
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
In some instances, you may receive punitive damages. However, unlike the other compensatory damages, which compensate the victim for their injuries, the court only awards punitive damages to punish a defendant for intentional and egregious actions and to deter others from committing similar acts. To obtain these damages, the victim’s attorney needs to show clear and convincing evidence that the harm resulted because of the defendant’s deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others.
How Much Is a Trucking Accident Case Worth in Minnesota?
Unfortunately, no lawyer can tell you exactly how much money you can be awarded following a Minnesota trucking collision.
This is because there are just too many factors that can impact this value, such as:
- Your age
- The extent of your injuries after the truck crash
- The type of medical treatment required now and in the future
- The duration of these treatments
- The timeline and the prognosis for recovery
- The impact of the injuries on your daily life
- The defendant’s culpability
- The credibility of the evidence and witnesses presented
Even though no one can guarantee you a specific amount of compensation following your Minnesota truck crash, when you work with an experienced truck accident attorney, they can review these factors, determine which ones impact your claim, and prepare the strongest case possible, making sure to request the maximum damages possible.
Why Should You Work With Nicolet Law After Your Minnesota Truck Accident?
To bring a successful legal claim following your trucking accident, you need to provide relevant evidence and strong legal arguments proving what happened and who caused your injuries. However, following a devastating truck collision, this is probably the last thing on your mind.
With a skilled truck accident attorney from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers on your side, you will not have to face this legal battle yourself. Rather, you can focus on what matters—your recovery—while we pursue the justice you deserve.
Once you retain us, we can:
- Evaluate your case, determine if you have a viable claim, and determine your best legal options.
- Investigate the truck crash and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Bring in expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionists to substantiate your claim.
- Handle all the negotiations with the other side, including the insurance company and opposing counsel, to pursue a fair settlement.
- Proceed to trial, if needed, and demand maximum damages.
If a Minnesota trucking accident harmed you or a loved one, do not wait to secure the legal help you need.
Nicolet Law is The Official Personal Injury Law Firm of the Minnesota Twins
Contact Our Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyers Today
It will cost you nothing to find out how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve after a Minnesota truck accident. We offer free initial case evaluations to all of our personal injury clients so that you can explore your legal options cost-free. Furthermore, we take semi-truck cases on a contingency basis, which means we don’t charge a fee unless we collect compensation for you.
Call us toll-free at 1-855-NICOLET or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation today.
While you focus on recovering from your injuries, let us handle the complicated process of filing a personal injury claim. Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can investigate your accident and the events leading up to your injury. We will do everything in our power to build the strongest legal argument to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers online or at (612) 688-4459 for your free consultation, and let our legal team help you begin your journey to recovery.
Injured in Minnesota? Get Nicolet.
Minneapolis Office
Address: 43 SE Main Street, Suite #500,Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 888-8258