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Trucks pose a significant threat to smaller vehicles in a crash. If you were hurt in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, consult a Bloomington truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys are waiting to assist you with your claim. If you can demonstrate that another party’s negligence led to the crash, you could collect compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and the crash’s impact on your quality of life.
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can be twenty times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. Its braking time and acceleration are slow, and it has huge blind spots on all four sides. The massive weight strains the axles and tires, increasing the chances of mechanical failure. Improper loading could cause a truck to roll over or the trailer to jack-knife.
Working conditions for truck drivers also pose risks. Although federal law limits them to driving no more than 11 hours per day, a tight delivery schedule might lead them to ignore the work-time restrictions. Being on the road alone for long hours can cause boredom and fatigue, which can lead to inattentive driving. Some truckers resort to amphetamines to keep themselves awake or to alcohol or other drugs to ease the boredom.
All these factors combine to make truck crashes frequent and their consequences potentially more serious than other accidents. A Bloomington attorney could investigate a truck accident to determine what might have led to a wreck.
When someone seeks damages for personal injuries, they must demonstrate that another party’s negligence led to the harm they suffered. Commercial trucks are common carriers under federal law, and they must use the highest degree of care to prevent injuries to others.
If a Bloomington attorney could show that a trucking company or truck driver did not adhere to the strictest safety standards, the company and driver could be liable to anyone injured in an accident. In a truck accident, indicators that the trucking company or truck driver was negligent could include:
If the injured party could present evidence that the trucking company or its driver was negligent, the company is liable for their damages. Damages could include compensation for all out-of-pocket expenses associated with the injuries, lost income, and their anticipated future costs. The company must also compensate them for their pain, disfigurement, mental suffering, disability, and lost enjoyment of life.
Survivors of truck accidents have two years to bring a lawsuit seeking damages, according to Minnesota Statutes §541.07. Several circumstances could extend the time to sue, and an injured person in Bloomington should always consult a local attorney about whether a lawsuit is viable in their specific case.
Claimants benefit from starting the legal process as early as possible. When a legal professional investigates a crash soon after it happens, they are more likely to find valuable evidence that could support a claimant’s case. Over time, witnesses’ memories might fade, and critical evidence could erode or disappear.
Sometimes a local government could bear partial liability for a truck crash. This issue typically arises when the government owned the vehicle, employed the trucker, or confusing road markings or poor road maintenance contributed to a crash. In such cases, an injured person must notify the appropriate government agency of their claim within 180 days or lose their right to sue. A diligent Bloomington lawyer could ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is taken care of to maximize your chances of compensation for your truck accident.
If you were in a truck accident, you might be healing from severe injuries and experiencing significant financial strain. The negligent trucking company has a legal responsibility to compensate you for all the harm it caused.
A Bloomington truck accident lawyer could help you get justice. Reach out to schedule a consultation today.