If you have been hurt by a truck, you may be wondering how you can take care of yourself and your family during this difficult time. You do not have to do this alone, as a Shakopee truck accident lawyer from Maschka Personal Injury can help you clearly understand your legal options. Our team of personal injury attorneys is based in Mankato but serves the surrounding areas, and can provide support and guidance throughout the legal process so you can focus on a quick recovery.
A large semi-trailer requires substantially more skill, expertise, and awareness to operate safely than a standard passenger car. Truckers must earn their commercial driver’s license and follow federal rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the United States Department of Transportation, has issued a number of regulations to keep both truck drivers and the general public safe. For example, truckers are only allowed to drive up to 14 hours per day so they can rest and avoid fatigue. Similarly, truck drivers are prohibited from using their cell phones while driving to avoid becoming distracted.
With their truck’s massive size and weight, truckers can easily lose control of their vehicle if they are fatigued or distracted, or if they are generally driving in an unsafe manner. Because of this, driver error is a common cause of truck crashes. Other driver errors can include:
Beyond the truck driver, the cause of a crash could be traced back to the driver’s employer. Commercial transportation companies must ensure that they are hiring drivers with sufficient skill to safely operate the trucks. They must also provide adequate training and allow drivers opportunities to rest. Employers are also responsible for their fleet of vehicles and must perform regular maintenance and repairs so the trucks work properly.
Truck crashes can be complicated because there can be many parties involved in the operation of the truck, including the driver, the company, and other staff, like the mechanics. This can make it tricky to determine which one was responsible for causing the crash. Driver error usually places responsibility on the driver, but a poorly maintained vehicle could mean the company is responsible. Moreover, if a driver is working for a company, the company is usually responsible for the truck driver’s actions. This is known as vicarious liability.
Determining responsibility can come down to the tiniest of details. An attorney experienced with handling semitruck crashes in Shakopee can help make this determination by investigating the scene and reviewing all available evidence, including the driver’s history and the company’s practices.
Regardless of who was responsible, anyone involved in a collision with a big rig can be left with severe injuries. Injured car drivers and passengers may have a claim to recover compensation from the party responsible.
The compensation can be in the form of economic damages, which are the documented financial costs that come from the accident. These can include:
Non-economic damages can also be available for things like pain and suffering and the emotional distress that can come from surviving such an ordeal.
Every claim is different, and the amount of compensation will vary depending on the facts and circumstances specific to each claim. An experienced lawyer can help car drivers and passengers hurt in a Shakopee big rig collision understand what their claim could be worth.
If you have been hurt from being hit by a truck, you may have a claim to recover compensation for your injuries. A Shakopee truck accident lawyer can help you file a claim that maximizes your financial recovery.
Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping victims restore their lives. Call us to speak with a member of our team. At Maschka Personal Injury, we are here for you when you need us.
