Truck Accident Lawyer Rosemount, MN
As part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest, Rosemount sees its fair share of semi-truck traffic daily. These giants of the roadway can be exceptionally dangerous in a traffic collision, weighing 80,000 pounds fully loaded. When a semi-truck crashes into a passenger car or SVU, which weighs about 2,000-4,000 pounds, the effects on the passengers in the smaller vehicle are devastating, often fatal.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a semi-truck accident, you have the right to demand fair compensation from the trucker, their employer, and any other liable party. These cases can quickly become more complicated than a traffic collision involving two smaller passenger vehicles. The advice of a Rosemount, MN, truck accident lawyer with the experience and knowledge required to handle these complex claims can ensure your rights are protected. Contact Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
What Does A Rosemount Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
Semi-truck accident attorneys handle the often-complicated claims filed by victims of semi-truck crashes. At our firm, we start by reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash and then gather evidence, like eyewitness accounts, photos or a video of the crash, and the official police report. We also review data collected from the truck’s Event Data Recorder (the “black box” required for all commercial vehicles). This helps us build a case of negligence against the truck driver.
We also have resources and capabilities that other lawyers may not. Often, our litigation team uses testimony from expert witnesses, like an accident reconstructionist who explains to a jury how the wreck happened. We may also use expert medical witnesses to explain how the accident caused your injuries and affirm the extent of your harm. This also helps us establish the true extent of your material losses.
Our goal is to secure a fair settlement for your losses, both out-of-pocket(like medical care or unearned wages) and intangible, like the pain and suffering and emotional trauma common in the aftermath of a devastating semi-truck crash.
Complexities In Semi-Truck Accident Claims
Truck accident cases have come with complicated legal issues that car accidents typically don’t.
First, we may name multiple defendants in your case, meaning we must construct a case of negligence against each one. Some negligent parties often named in truck accident claims include:
- The driver
- Their employer or the transportation company that contracted their services
- The rig or trailer manufacturer or mechanic
- The party responsible for properly loading the cargo in the truck
Injuries from truck accidents are often catastrophic, possibly permanently disabling. This makes these claims higher than other types of traffic collisions, and insurance companies will examine the evidence in an attempt to minimize or deny your valid claim. Strong legal advocacy is necessary to counteract the tricks insurance companies like to pull—and we deliver it.
How Can Our Legal Team Help You?
If you or someone you love has been injured or died in a semi-truck crash, our legal team is ready to help. Contact Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. today for a free consultation with a Rosemount truck accident lawyer.
The Importance Of Preserving Evidence After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents are often more severe than typical car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. These crashes can result in serious injuries, extensive property damage, and even fatalities. In the aftermath of such a collision, preserving evidence is critical to proving fault and securing the compensation you deserve. Here’s why preserving evidence is so important after a truck accident and how working with a Rosemount, MN truck accident lawyer can help ensure that the right evidence is collected and maintained.
1. Establishing Liability
One of the main reasons why preserving evidence is vital after a truck accident is to establish liability. Unlike car accidents, where fault might be more straightforward, truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, and even maintenance crews. Each of these parties may be partially responsible for the crash.
To prove who is liable, evidence such as the truck driver’s logbooks, electronic control module (ECM) data (often referred to as the “black box”), maintenance records, and inspection reports must be gathered and preserved. These pieces of evidence can provide insights into whether the truck driver was fatigued, if the vehicle had mechanical failures, or if the company failed to follow safety regulations. Without this evidence, proving fault can become difficult, potentially limiting your ability to receive fair compensation.
2. Capturing The Scene
Preserving physical evidence from the accident scene is crucial for reconstructing what happened. Photographs of the vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, and debris can help accident reconstruction experts determine factors like the speed of the truck, the angle of the collision, and whether the truck driver tried to stop or swerve before impact.
Additionally, witness statements should be gathered immediately after the accident. Witnesses can provide critical third-party observations that support your version of events. As time passes, memories fade, and evidence like skid marks or debris may disappear due to weather or cleanup efforts. Therefore, the sooner evidence is gathered, the more accurate and useful it will be.
3. Preserving Electronic Data
Modern commercial trucks are equipped with various electronic systems that record data that can be crucial in an accident investigation. The truck’s black box records data such as speed, braking patterns, and engine performance leading up to the accident. In many cases, this data can prove whether the driver was speeding or failed to brake properly.
However, this data may only be retained for a short period before it is overwritten or lost. That’s why it’s essential to work with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. Your lawyer can issue a “spoliation letter” to the trucking company, which legally requires them to preserve all relevant electronic data until the investigation is complete.
Conclusion
Preserving evidence after a truck accident is essential to building a strong case and securing the compensation you deserve. Without proper evidence, it becomes much harder to prove fault and hold the responsible parties accountable. By working with a Rosemount truck accident lawyer from Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., you can ensure that crucial evidence is collected, preserved, and used effectively in your case. The sooner you take action after an accident, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.