If you were injured because someone else’s negligent actions caused an Olivia truck collision, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do next.

Contact a compassionate Olivia truck accident lawyer who will work hard to seek justice and compensation on your behalf. Our firm is based in Mankato but serves the surrounding areas and can provide an experienced personal injury attorney to help you manage the aftermath of your truck accident.

How Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Big rigs are unwieldy and difficult to handle. Although truck drivers require extensive training to get their commercial licenses, accidents still happen.

Truck Driver Error

Truck driver error is a factor in many crashes. Exceeding the speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, and making unsafe lane changes cause truck collisions. Additionally, fatigued and distracted truck drivers have delayed response times, which increases the likelihood of a crash.

Overloaded/Overweight Trucks

Overweight and overloaded trucks can jackknife or overturn, leading to dangerous accidents.

Defective Parts

Sometimes, a component on a truck fails, and the trucker does not respond in time to avoid a crash.

Our attorneys will review police reports, the trucker’s logs, video footage, and any other relevant information to determine whether driver error played a role in your semi-truck crash in Olivia and identify who may be held liable.

Proving Negligence

Tractor-trailer accidents fall under the state’s no-fault system, so you must first file a claim with your personal injury protection. According to Minnesota Statutes § 65B.51, you can bring a personal injury claim against the trucker and their employer if your medical expenses exceed $4,000, you are disabled for at least 60 days, or you have permanent loss of function or disfigurement.

If you bring a claim outside of the no-fault system, you must prove the other party was negligent and their actions caused your injuries. As common carriers, trucking companies must meet a high standard to avoid negligence. The law provides a number of rules and regulations that transportation companies and truck drivers must follow to avoid accidents and harm to others.

The trucking industry is highly regulated, and any deviation from best safety practices may be considered evidence of negligence. For example, truckers must comply with strict rules governing their hours of service. If our attorneys discover that a truck driver involved in an accident in Olivia did not take their required rest breaks, this violation can be evidence of negligence.

The Truck Accident Claim Process

If you are injured in a tractor-trailer crash, secure legal representation as quickly as possible. It is critical that you involve a lawyer soon after the accident so that they can work to preserve evidence and begin an independent investigation.

Our Olivia attorneys can also handle communication with other parties involved in the truck collision. If you have serious injuries, the trucking company’s insurer may approach you with a quick cash settlement offer. These offers can be tempting, but they may represent a fraction of the value of your claim. If you are working with an attorney, the insurers must communicate through the attorney, helping you avoid wasting time on unacceptable offers.

Contact an Attorney To Claim Damages After a Big Rig Crash in Olivia

Truck collisions are traumatic events, and the effects can linger. Allow an Olivia truck accident lawyer at Maschka Personal Injury to take on the legal side of your case and protect your rights while you recover. Contact our team of intake lawyers to discuss your claim today.