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Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyer

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A 35-year-old mother and wife suffered brain damage and the loss of one leg as a result of a collision with a semi tractor-trailer which pulled out onto a highway in a thick fog. Pretrial investigation revealed that the truck driver had been warned shortly before the accident not to drive until the fog lifted.

The above is an example of a lawsuit filed following a truck related accident in Minnesota. Unfortunately, this type of accident happens all too often in Minnesota, resulting in horrific injuries, including death. The size and the weight of trucks makes them far more likely to cause injury or death to anyone that is involved in an accident with them.

Accidents involving large trucks are among the most serious and tragic in the United States. Trucking laws involve claims against negligent drivers and the companies that hire them. There are many contributing factors to highway vehicle collisions.

The most significant cause for truck accidents is truck driver fatigue, which accounts for roughly 35-40% of all truck accidents. This alarming statistic is made possible due in large part to the long hours truckers work, the strenuous deadlines they face, and the rigorous distances they travel. Truck driver fatigue can seriously impair the judgment of an individual who is behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

Fatigue refers to lack of sleep, extreme tiredness, or exhaustion. Fatigue does not refer to just one thing, but can be a combination of the above. Not getting the required amount of sleep, loading and unloading heavy loads, putting in overtime at work, etc., can all lead to truck driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can also impair an individual's ability to gauge their own level of fatigue.

Aside from driver fatigue, there are a few other dangers associated with large trucks co-existing on roadways with other cars. No-Zones, squeeze play, stopping distance and off-track are things that can cause significant danger on the road.

No-Zones are blind spots that are located around the front, back and sides of the truck. When a car is within the No-Zone, the truck driver is typically unable to see it.

Squeeze play is a name used to describe a truck driver's need to swing right or left in order to maneuver a turn. When a turn is in progress, the trucker driver is unable to see cars directly behind or besides them. A car driving between a truck and a curb is liable to be caught in a squeeze that could result in a serious accident.

Stopping distance is important because big trucks need a greater stopping distance than regular-sized vehicles. If there is not enough space between a car and truck, the car may be in danger of being involved in a rear-ending accident.

Off-track occurs when a truck makes a turn at high speeds and jumps into the next lane unexpectedly. This can result in the truck not having enough room between the car and itself to maneuver a proper, abrupt stop if necessary.

If you have been involved in a truck-related accident in Minnesota, or if you are a family member of someone fatally injured in a Minnesota truck-related accident, you could be entitled to a hefty compensation payout. The Minnesota truck accident lawyers who dealt with the accident outlined above managed to get the plaintiff a multi-million dollar payout, and many others receive high settlement figures and awards each year.

In order to maximize your chances of a successful claim for compensation in these situations, it is advisable to go through a Minnesota truck accident lawyer, who can put his or her expertise and skill into getting you the compensation to which you are entitled. Proving fault in a truck related accident can be difficult without witnesses unless the truck driver admits blame. However, with the help of an experienced Minnesota truck accident attorney, you can increase your chances of success.

Whether you are claiming for the wrongful death of a loved one, or whether you are claiming for personal injury and damages as the result of a truck accident that was not your fault, a Minnesota truck accident lawyer will help you put together a solid lawsuit in order to claim for damages, injuries, or loss incurred as a result of such an accident.