Truck accidents can cause life-altering injuries and devastating financial burdens for victims and their families. Our Roseville truck accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges and burdens truck accident victims and their families may face. With over 100 years of combined experience, our legal team is unwavering in helping clients get the maximum compensation possible, evidenced by our numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Working with our lawyer makes you feel like family because we genuinely care about you and your situation. We provide individualized attention to every client we represent and strive to make every client's experience with our law firm as pleasant and hassle-free as possible. When someone steals your health, we are ready to work hard to get your life back on track and recover every dollar you deserve.
If you or a loved one has experienced a truck accident, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. Call us today for your free consultation with our Roseville truck accident lawyer to discuss how we can help.
Injured in Roseville? Get Nicolet.
Why Choose Our Roseville Truck Accident Attorneys?
The people who choose us to represent them do not regret their decision because of our:
- Results. We have a history of getting multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
- Reputation. Legal groups such as Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell have recognized our law firm's commitment to excellence.
- Service. We handle all aspects of the client's case from start to finish so they can focus on their recovery.
- Client focus. Our lawyers handle every case with compassion and genuine care.
- Contingency fees. When working with us, you won't owe us anything unless we win because we work on a contingency fee basis.
Our clients deserve the best representation possible, and our lawyers have the experience and resources to make that happen.
Common Truck Accident Types
Statistically speaking, more than 150,000 Americans suffer an injury in crashes involving large trucks per year.
Some common types of accidents involving trucks are:
- Jackknife accident. A jackknife accident occurs when the truck trailer swings to one side while the cab remains straight. The result is a V shape, resembling a jackknife (hence the name). Jackknife accidents can happen for various reasons, including brake failure, improper braking, inclement weather, etc. In a previous year, jackknife accidents resulted in 169 fatalities and about 1,000 injuries.
- Wide-turn accident. A wide-turn accident is a common scenario where a truck driver makes a turn, and the truck's trailer swings out, colliding with another vehicle. This happens because the truck driver does not stay in their lane while making a turn and misjudges the distance or speed of other vehicles.
- Blind spot accident. Trucks have large blind spots, making it difficult for truckers to see other vehicles on the road, especially on the side of the truck or in the rear. A blind spot accident happens when a truck driver changes lanes or makes a turn without checking their blind spots.
- Rollover accident. A rollover accident is one of the deadliest, where the truck tips over and rolls onto its side or roof. Rollover accidents can occur for various reasons, including speeding, overloaded cargo, road hazards, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- Lost load accident. This type of accident happens when a truck's cargo falls off the truck on the road, causing damage to other vehicles or properties. This type of accident can occur due to improper loading or unsecured loads.
- Tire blowout accident. A tire blowout accident is when one of the truck's tires suddenly bursts, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This can happen due to various reasons, including over-inflated or under-inflated tires, defective tires, and hitting a pothole, to name a few.
Trucks are a significant concern on Minnesota roads due to their size and weight. When accidents occur, large trucks are likely to cause significant damage to other vehicles and devastating injuries to occupants.
Regardless of how your truck accident occurred, our lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers are ready to provide you with the assistance you need to recover from the trauma financially and get your life back to normal.
Who Can You Hold Liable for Your Truck Accident?
If someone else's negligence or recklessness caused your accident, you can hold them responsible for your injuries and losses.
Depending on your case, you can pursue compensation from:
- The truck driver. If the truck driver was negligent in the vehicle's operation or violated any safety regulations imposed by the law, they might be at fault for the accident. For example, if the accident occurred because the driver was tired after driving beyond the legal limit of hours permitted by law, they can be liable for the truck accident.
- The owner of the truck. The person or entity that owns the truck holds responsibility for ensuring that the vehicle is well-maintained and safe to operate. The truck's owner might be liable if the accident resulted from inadequate vehicle inspection or poor maintenance (e.g., faulty brakes).
- The trucking company. If the trucking company (a) owns the vehicle involved in the crash or (b) employs the truck driver who caused the truck accident, the company can be responsible.
- The truck driver's employer. The employer can be liable if the trucker's employer and the trucking company are separate entities. Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, employers are responsible for the accidents that occur during their employees' employment.
- The manufacturer of the truck. If the truck was involved in an accident due to defects, the vehicle's manufacturer can be held accountable under the legal theory of "product liability." This means any defective parts, such as brake failure or steering column malfunction, will make the manufacturer responsible for damages incurred by the victims.
- The manufacturer of the truck parts. These manufacturers are responsible for producing inferior parts that malfunction when operating the vehicle. You can sue the manufacturer for damages if a defective part caused an accident.
- The person or entity is responsible for maintaining the truck. The truck's malfunction is not always the result of negligence by the manufacturer. Accidents may also occur due to inadequate maintenance. For this reason, the person or entity whose duty was to repair and maintain the vehicle is also on the list of potentially liable parties.
- The person or entity responsible for loading the cargo. Overloaded cargo often contributes to accidents involving trucks. If the cargo was not loaded properly or exceeded legal weight limits, the entity or person responsible for loading the truck will bear responsibility.
Our Roseville truck accident lawyer can skillfully guide you in conducting a detailed investigation to identify all parties responsible for the accident and bring them to justice.
Roseville Truck Accident Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A lawyer will gather all available evidence to assist in building a compelling case for you. Below, we will address some of the questions our team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers receives from prospective clients who have been in truck accidents:
How long do I have to get compensation after a truck accident in Minnesota?
Under Minnesota Statute § 541.05, people injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, including truck accidents, have up to six years to bring a lawsuit and pursue compensation for their damages. If you allow the statute of limitations to expire, you will lose your right to get compensation.
How do I prove negligence in my truck accident case?
In most truck accident cases, the injured victim must prove the other party's negligence (or, in other words, their failure to act with a reasonable standard of care).
Establishing four elements can demonstrate negligence by the truck driver (or another liable party): duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages.
For example, if the truck driver failed to adhere to the traffic laws and exceeded the posted speed limit, which caused your crash and resulted in painful injuries and years of costly medical care, you can prove negligence.
What evidence do I need to prove liability after a truck accident?
Your lawyer may rely on evidence when determining liability for your truck accident, including:
- The statements of the parties involved
- Witness statements
- Photos taken at the scene
- Video surveillance footage
- Testimony of accident-skilled reconstructionists
- Black box data
- Electronic logging device data
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- The trucking company's employment records
You might want to discuss your situation with a Roseville truck accident lawyer to understand who should be liable in your case and what evidence you need to prove it. Taking this step can provide valuable insights into navigating the complexities of your case and ensuring that you're well-prepared to make informed decisions.
What are the federal trucking regulations?
Both truck drivers and trucking companies are legally required to follow trucking regulations governed by federal law. In particular, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours truck drivers may drive, sets strict rules for log books, requires regular inspection and proper maintenance of vehicles, and more.
How Can a Roseville Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Our lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have years of experience representing people who have suffered an injury in truck accidents and families of those killed in crashes involving large trucks.
Here are some of the ways our team can support you when working on your case:
- Case investigation. One of the first things a lawyer will do in your case is launch an investigation to understand what you are dealing with and explain your legal options so you can make an informed decision about moving forward.
- Evidence gathering. Proving liability to recover damages after a truck accident is no easy task. Often, these cases require extensive evidence to prove the other party's negligence and secure fair compensation. A lawyer will gather all available evidence to assist in building a compelling case for you.
- Case preparation. When a lawyer has all the needed evidence, they will start preparing a legal strategy for your case.
- Send a demand letter. In most truck accident cases, the liable party's insurance company is the primary source of compensation for victims. For this reason, you need a lawyer to draft and submit a demand letter to the insurer to outline the damages you have suffered and request compensation.
- Handle negotiations. Once the insurer receives your demand letter, your case enters the "negotiations" phase. You cannot stand up for your rights without good negotiation skills and secure the most favorable outcome possible. When you have a lawyer, they will handle negotiations from start to finish to advocate for your best interests and ensure you are not taken advantage of by the insurer.
- Court case preparation. In most cases, negotiations end in a settlement. However, in some cases, insurers may not be willing to provide fair compensation to the victim. When negotiations do not yield a positive result, your lawyer will start preparing your case for court.
- Discovery. Before trial, your case will go through the discovery stage, which involves gathering information and evidence from the parties. Your lawyer will guide you through this stage to ensure you have a strong case for the court.
- Trial representation. If your case proceeds to trial, your lawyer will represent your best interests to the judge and jury to conclude your case successfully.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we provide clients with the highest quality representation for their desired results.
Speak With a Roseville Truck Accident Lawyer Today
You need legal support and guidance from a knowledgeable lawyer after a truck accident.
Contact our Roseville truck accident lawyer at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers to discuss the details of your case and explore how we can support your fight for the justice you deserve. Call (651) 867-4853 today to get your free case evaluation.