Truck Accident Attorney in Minnesota

Why Work with a Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents don’t just happen. In many cases, a truck driver or trucking company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the crash. Proving this isn’t always straightforward, and it requires thorough investigation. To establish liability in a truck accident case, an attorney may gather and analyze evidence such as:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Logs: These logs can reveal whether the truck driver exceeded legal driving limits or failed to take required rest breaks as established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: In addition to written logbooks, ELD data offers real-time records of a truck’s movement, speed, and rest periods.
• Event Data Recorders (EDRs or “Black Boxes”): EDRs (often referred to as “black boxes”) capture crucial pre-accident information, such as speed, brake use, and sudden stops, that is useful for reconstructing the events leading up to the accident.
• Witness Statements: Interviews with individuals who witnessed the crash or its immediate aftermath provide valuable, firsthand perspectives that support or challenge other evidence.
• Police Reports: Police reports can help establish fault by recording the responding officer’s observations, any citations issued, and diagrams or assessments that may aid in establishing fault.

The Goldwater Law Firm chooses co-counsel who aggressively pursue compensation for the injured, regardless of their ability to pay for legal counsel. Our law firm partners work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless they win your case.

How Truck Accidents Cause Severe Injuries

A report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety shows that Michigan had 4,568 crashes in 2023, with 62 fatalities and over 1,200 injuries. The sheer mass of a commercial truck means that the smaller vehicle’s occupants are at significant risk of catastrophic damage.

Injuries from a truck accident are often severe and may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can lead to permanent physical and cognitive impairment.
• Spinal cord injuries may result in full or partial paralysis.
• Internal bleeding that leads to organ failure and possibly death.
• Multiple broken bones that could require surgery and weeks in a cast.
• Deep cuts and lacerations that may result in disfigurement.

Many of these injuries require months, if not years, of recovery. Some injuries are permanent, and accident victims will have lifelong medical needs.

Potential Compensation from a Truck Accident Claim

The Goldwater Law Firm works with law firm partners who handle a wide range of personal injury claims, including those involving dangerous products and car accidents. With extensive experience in managing vehicle accident claims, especially those involving commercial trucks, our partners are prepared to fight for the full value of your case.

An attorney can assess your damages and seek compensation to help pay for:

• Medical Bills: This can help with the costs of emergency care, surgeries, medications, X-rays, CT scans, physical therapy, assistive devices, and follow-up appointments.
• Lost Income: Your lawyer can pursue wages, tips, bonuses, and commissions you missed while recovering.
• Future Loss of Earning Capacity: If you cannot return to your job or go back to work at all, our co-counsel can seek compensation for the reduced earning capacity due to temporary or permanent disability, paralysis, and other long-term conditions
• Pain and Suffering: This can address the physical pain and inconvenience resulting from injuries.
• Emotional Trauma: The negative impact on mental health and wellness is just as important as your physical and financial losses, and your team can make sure that you are compensated for such harm.

Our co-counsel is prepared to assess the full extent of your losses to ensure they seek the maximum possible compensation for your claim.

Identifying Liable Parties in a Minnesota Truck Accident

There could be one or more liable parties involved in a truck accident. The most obvious is the truck driver, but they often have a contract or employment with a trucking firm. Some examples of other parties and their negligence can include:

• A trucking firm that relentlessly pushed drivers to ignore required rest periods, thereby contributing to a drowsy driving accident.
• A shipping carrier that pressured the truck company into unrealistic deadlines, contributing to a reckless driving accident.
• Safety inspectors or maintenance providers who cut corners and failed to identify braking or steering problems.
• A truck or part manufacturer that did not take proper measures in product design or manufacturing.

These parties will often try to downplay their role or claim another party bears more responsibility, but your attorney can carefully investigate the claim to uncover the truth.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

No two accidents are alike, but a truck accident attorney working with the Goldwater Law Firm is familiar with many types:

• Lost cargo or unsecured load incidents
• T-bone or side-impact crashes
• Blind spot collisions
• Wide-turn accidents
• Tire blowouts
• Jackknife accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Rollovers

If neglect played a role in your accident, our partners are here to seek justice on your behalf.