Truck Accident Lawyer Minnesota

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Truck Accident Lawyer Minnesota
In the United States, there are approximately six
million motor vehicle accidents each year. Auto
insurance claims cost the nation over 200
billion every year and they are a leading cause
of teenage deaths. While alcohol is a
primary factor in many of these fatalities,
distracted driving has become a much
larger problem. Some states have outlawed
texting while driving and others make it illegal
to use a handheld electronic device. More truck
drivers are being cited for sending text messages
while operating their vehicle according to a
truck accident lawyer Minnesota.
Gathering Factual Evidence
When you are involved in an auto accident, the
first priority should be dealing with any
injuries that occurred. Following that, you
should begin by gathering evidence that will
explain the events and what may have led up to
the accident. When you consult a truck accident
lawyer Minnesota, they will tell you to gather
evidence that can help your case.

Get a copy of the police report as soon as
possible. This will contain information
about who was at fault and names of any witnesses.

Take your own pictures that show where each
vehicle was and the amount of
damage.

Contact witnesses who can give their account of
what they saw at the time or
prior to the accident.

Document the weather conditions that may show the
city was negligent in not
keeping the roads free from fallen tree limbs or
power lines.

Find out if there were any cameras in the
vicinity of the accident that may have
video of what happened.
In serious accidents or those involving multiple
drivers, the police will usually be called to
investigate the scene.
Why Truck Drivers May Be Negligent
The number of accidents involving big rigs has
been steadily on the rise over the last few
years. One of the leading of causes of
these accidents is due to truck driver
fatigue. According to a truck accident lawyer
Minnesota, there are many more reasons why these
collisions occur, which include

Rush deadlines put unreasonable demands on
truck drivers to get their cargo
delivered

Long distance truck driver may be suffering from
a lack of sleep
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Difficulty noticing smaller vehicles while
operating a large tractor-trailer rig

Overloading the vehicle causing the tires to burst

Unfamiliar with the roads and highways

Lack of driver training

The truck driver was under the influence of drugs
or alcohol at the time

Unsecured loads

Not properly inspecting the vehicle before the
trip
When truck drivers operate their vehicles in a
negligent manner, the victim should seek legal
advice from a truck accident lawyer Minnesota.
Vicarious Liability and How it Applies to
Employers
In most states, both the owner and the driver can
be held responsible under the legal premise
known as vicarious liability. When an
employee becomes involved in an accident
while operating a vehicle when conducting company
business, their employer can be held liable
for the negligent acts. Employers are
responsible for obtaining a drivers history.
If they have been cited for reckless driving or
been charged with driving under the influence,
the employer could be legally liable for the
employees actions. The legal rule of vicarious
liability is especially important when serious
injuries or death has occurred in an accident. A
truck accident lawyer Minnesota may be able to
obtain a larger settlement from the employer.
The Role of the Insurance Adjuster
Most insurance companies train their
adjusters to use a settlement formula when
calculating what they believe to be fair
for accident victims. They often tally up
the medical expenses and then double it
for pain and suffering. People are viewed
as a number, rather than a living, breathing
human being whose life may now be devastated by
their injuries. To bolster the strength of
your case, you need to provide factual
evidence that may include
The facts regarding how the accident happened,
including a copy of the police report,
photographs of your injuries and damage to
your vehicle. Testimony from witnesses who
can attest that the other driver was negligent
because they were carelessly talking on their
cell phone when they rammed into you.
Medical records showing the types of treatment
you received. Make sure that you continue to
obtain medical care regularly. Missed
appointments may indicate that your condition is
not serious.
Keep a diary of how your injuries have
affected your life emotionally and mentally.
Accident victims often experience post-traumatic
stress disorder and are unable to leave the
house or get into a car. Their physical pain may
prevent them from engaging in activities they
once enjoyed, such as basketball or swimming.
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Lost income due to not being able to return to
their job, out of fear, disability or
embarrassing scars they are now left with.
Their spouse may be entitled to obtain
compensation when the injured person can no
longer have sex with their partner or provide
love and affection.
Household chores and providing childcare
that were regularly performed by a
stay-at-home mom may require the services of a
live-in nanny.
While all of these expenses and damages seem
realistic through your eyes, the insurance
adjuster will not see it that way. These are
trained professionals whose primary goal is to
keep the most money in the insurance companys
pocket. Be prepared for the first offer to be
far below your expectations. Dont be
disappointed or become emotional. Focus on
negotiating with a calm and cool head.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer Minnesota
Personal injury and car accident lawyers deal
with insurance companies every day. They are
experienced and knowledgeable and will strive to
obtain the best possible settlement for your
case. Claimants that have serious injuries or
permanent disabilities should seek legal advice
from a truck accident lawyer Minnesota before
trying to hash it out with the insurance
company. The laws in certain states require
plaintiffs to obtain an Independent Medical
Examination, which are doctors paid by the
insurance industry to diminish the extent of
your injuries. Attorneys that specialize in
personal injury law can prepare you beforehand
so that you dont accidentally say something that
may hurt your case. You may also need help in
preparing for depositions that may be required.
In any event, most attorneys offer a free
consultation, so give us a call today at
1-888-202-6767 or fill out the form in the
website sidebar.