Any collision involving a motor vehicle is a dangerous situation that can lead to serious injuries. Unfortunately, the risk of sustaining a severe injury is heightened when commercial vehicles are involved in a wreck due to their size disparity compared to passenger vehicles.
If you were injured in an 18-wheeler crash, a Willmar truck accident lawyer can help you seek justice. You should not have to cover the costs associated with your injuries when another person is to blame. A seasoned personal injury attorney from Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm can review your case and help you understand your legal options.
An injured person can only recover financial compensation after a truck crash by proving negligence was to blame for the accident. They will need evidence to build the strongest possible case for compensation. A Willmar truck accident attorney can help collect the proof needed to win at trial.
When available, video evidence of the crash is the strongest possible evidence. Instead of listening to two competing stories, a jury has the chance to draw their own conclusions from watching the crash play out. Video can be obtained from dash cams, which are often used by commercial semi-truck drivers, or nearby security cameras.
Statements from neutral witnesses can also sway a jury. Unlike the testimony of the parties, jurors understand these statements are likely more reliable because the witness does not have ties to either side. Other important pieces of evidence include medical records, photographs and diagrams, police reports, and vehicle repair bills.
One of the early goals of a Willmar truck accident attorney is determining who was at fault. In some cases, there might be more than one liable party. The right legal counsel can help identify all the potential defendants in an injury lawsuit.
Human error usually plays a big part in truck accidents, so it is natural to blame the operator of the commercial vehicle. Although these drivers are often at fault, that is not always the case. Some factors that can lead these operators to cause a crash include fatigue, following too closely, speeding, or impairment.
When the truck driver is at fault, their employer might also be liable for any damages that occur due to a legal standard known as respondeat superior. Under this doctrine, a person is liable for the negligence of an employee who injures someone while acting within the scope of their employment. Most people operating a commercial truck are doing so for work purposes. Alternatively, the trucking company might also have contributed to the negligence that caused the crash by carelessly hiring a dangerous or unlicensed driver.
Not every crash is the result of driver error. In some cases, a dangerous defect in one of the vehicles is to blame. This could involve various parts of the commercial truck, including its braking system, headlights, or tires. Companies that build these vehicles are held to a higher legal standard known as strict liability.
When you were injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle, you might be entitled to compensation. Getting the most out of your case can be challenging on your own, but an experienced attorney can help.
Reach out to a Willmar truck accident lawyer right away to get started. Our attorneys can schedule a private consultation where we can discuss your options.
