Accidents involving large trucks (also referred to as a semi-trailer, tractor trailer, a big rig or an 18-wheeler) are among the most serious and catastrophic in the United States. Trucking litigation involves claims against negligent truck drivers and the companies who hire them. Many factors may contribute to accidents involving large highway vehicles including overloaded freight, driver fatigue, speed, substance abuse and many others. Truck drivers do not have the same visibility and quick maneuverability as smaller vehicles, which also contributes to many trucking accidents. A semi truck accident in Minnesota is different than a car accident from a legal perspective. Trucking companies and their drivers have strict state and federal regulations they must follow based on log books, time sheets and other criteria. These records may be crucial to a claim based on the driver’s lack of alertness or fatigue problems. Semi trucks are required to carry higher amounts of insurance coverage. The drivers much also meet higher safety standards that other vehicle drivers. Trucks travel in interstate commerce and therefore are subject to many federal regulations that don’t apply to other vehicles. Trucking companies also have the responsibility to perform background checks prior to hiring drivers and must periodically evaluate existing employees. Also, truck drivers are subject to limits on the number of hours that they can drive in a given day. Drivers are also subject to testing for drugs and alcohol, both randomly and in the event of a semi truck accident. Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act can provide the basis for establishing fault on the part of the trucking company and the driver. If you’ve been injured in a semi truck accident, your well being comes first. Your rights are next. The experienced Minnesota semi truck accident attorneys / lawyers at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben bring more than 30 years of experience representing victims of trucking accidents. Our attorneys have successfully represented and fought for clients in numerous truck-related accident cases that have resulted in large verdicts and settlements. Our aggressive attorneys will fight until the end to make sure you receive full compensation for your losses. And we will go to trial or take on motorists and their insurance companies if necessary. Let us take care of every detail so you can concentrate on the most important part – your recovery. Please remember that it is vital to act swiftly after you’ve been injured to gather essential evidence and to address other important factors. Call today for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers about your semi truck accident claim: 612-377-7777 or 1-800-752-4265 (toll free). Based in Minneapolis MN, the personal injury lawyers at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben represent semi truck accident victims throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. This includes the Twin Cities (Minneapolis / St. Paul), Rochester, Duluth, and Brainerd as well as Grand Forks, Sioux Falls and Hudson, WI. |
|
|||||||||
Overview
