Every day, thousands of deliveries are made by drivers across Minnesota for major services such as Amazon, UPS, USPS and FedEx. When a delivery truck gets involved in an accident, the injury claims process can be complicated for victims. You may need to consult with a truck accident lawyer in Minneapolis to understand who is responsible for your losses and for help seeking justice.
What Causes Delivery Truck Accidents in Minnesota?
Delivery truck accidents in Minnesota are often caused by negligence, or someone failing to act in a proper manner. Delivery truck drivers may break Minnesota traffic laws, for example, or an inadequately maintained truck may experience a critical part failure.
The most common reasons behind delivery truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or reckless driving by the truck driver
- Following too closely
- Wide turns
- Blind spots and unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while drowsy
- Violated federal trucking safety regulations
- Imbalanced cargo loads or unsecured cargo
- Poor truck maintenance
- Defective or faulty parts
Identifying the root cause of a delivery truck accident in Minnesota is one of the first steps needed before a victim can seek justice.
Common Delivery Truck Accident Injuries
When a delivery truck driver or company is negligent, the results can be catastrophic, particularly for the people outside of the truck. Commercial delivery trucks and vans are much larger and heavier than passenger cars, giving them a dangerous advantage during motor vehicle collisions.
Victims may suffer injuries such as bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage and paralysis, lacerations, burns, and internal injuries. These injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that give the victim the right to file a claim for compensation in Minnesota.
Who Is Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the no-fault car insurance law means that victims injured in automobile accidents seek financial compensation from their own car insurance policies, regardless of who caused the crash. However, there is an exception for serious injuries.
Delivery truck accidents often meet the serious injury threshold. When a victim can sue outside of the no-fault system, the liable or financially responsible party could be a negligent delivery truck driver, delivery service provider, a local business or company, or a government agency.
What to Do After a Delivery Truck Accident in Minnesota
If you get hurt in a crash involving a delivery truck or vehicle, try to stay calm. Pull over near the crash scene and check yourself and others for injuries. Get professional medical care right away. Call 911 to report the accident and obtain a police report as evidence.
Before you leave the scene, take pictures and gather the information of everyone involved, if you can. Notify your own car insurance company of the accident first, then file a claim with the insurance provider of the delivery company or driver. Don’t sign anything sent to you by an insurance company before you’ve spoken to an attorney.
How a Minnesota Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Delivery truck accident cases come with unique and complex legal elements. For this reason, it is recommended that you consult with a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement from an insurance company.
An attorney can carefully investigate your crash, identify the liable parties, gather relevant evidence, hire experts to strengthen your case, and navigate the issues and challenges associated with your individual claim. In the meantime, you can focus your energy on healing.
To discuss your recent delivery truck accident case with a knowledgeable and experienced local attorney, contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC to request a free consultation.