Side-impact truck accidents in Mankato can cause serious injuries that can lead to large medical bills and long periods away from work. It is crucial to have a seasoned truck accident attorney who can advocate for you.

Talking to a truck accident lawyer from Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz can help you figure out how to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact the firm today to schedule an appointment.

Who Is Liable for a Side-Impact Truck Accident?

Determining responsibility can be more difficult in accidents involving large commercial trucks than in accidents between small cars. Like with any vehicle accident, the injured party typically must show the other driver was negligent in causing their injuries to have a legal claim. To establish that a driver was negligent, one must show the driver had a duty to act in a certain way, such as following the rules of the road, and failed to uphold this duty, such as by breaking traffic laws.

Often, a truck driver is driving as part of their job, and they do not own the truck involved in the crash. This can mean multiple parties are responsible for a side-impact truck crash in Mankato. For example, if a truck driver hits the side of a car after failing to stop at a red light, the driver was probably negligent. However, if they were driving as part of their job, their employer might ultimately be responsible for their employee’s negligence.

Additionally, other factors can contribute to side-impact truck accidents. A truck with manufacturing defects or a truck that was not loaded correctly can cause a crash even if it’s driven safely. In these cases, the manufacturer or the company that loaded the truck could be liable. A skilled lawyer can help determine who might be legally responsible for your injuries.

What Compensation Is Available for a Truck Accident?

Minnesota uses a no-fault insurance system, meaning drivers first need to file a claim through their own car insurance. Mankato drivers are required to have personal injury protection coverage, which usually covers their first $20,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in certain other economic losses (like lost income) regardless of who is responsible for the accident. However, when a person injured in a Mankato side-impact truck accident meets a tort threshold, they can opt to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.

There are no limits to the damages an injured person can receive in a Minnesota lawsuit, which can include both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These cover specific expenses or lost income, such as past medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

These provide compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other intangible losses. If a loved one dies during a side-impact truck accident, surviving relatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death damages can be both economic, such as replacement of the deceased’s salary, or non-economic, such as loss of companionship.

Discuss Your Side-Impact Truck Accident Case With a Mankato Lawyer Today

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a side-impact truck accident, figuring out how to get the compensation you deserve can be overwhelming. A Mankato truck accident lawyer can fight for you and increase the chance of securing a positive outcome.

Schedule a consultation with Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz to discuss your case today.