Truck Accident Lawyer Rochester, MN
If you were recently injured in a commercial truck accident, we urge you to contact our team at Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. as soon as you can. These large vehicles can cause devastating collisions with smaller cars. Our Rochester, MN truck accident lawyer is experienced in handling cases where victims were greatly affected by a truck collision. The degree of injury and property damage can be insurmountable. If you or a loved one was seriously injured from a commercial truck wreck, we recommend speaking with us now about seeking compensation for your damages and losses. We are prepared to get to work on your case today.
What Federal Regulations Do
Both state and federal regulations require that truck drivers and their companies meet certain qualifications. Our truck accident attorney is aware of the laws for what the driver and company is permitted to do. These rules aim to prevent the number of commercial truck accidents overall and decrease the incidence of truck driver fatigue. Truckers that work longer hours than they are allowed to may be too unrested to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Drivers must also keep a log book that notes when they were on the clock, when they were off duty, and meal/rest breaks. As our Rochester truck accident lawyer explains, state regulations necessitate that each truck driver employed by a motor carrier has a file that lists:
- Their application for the job
- Past 3 years of driving history
- Past 3 years of employment history
- Annual account of certification of violations
- Annual driving records
- Medical certificate (renewed every 2 years)
- Certificate for road test
How Truck Accidents Happen
There are many contributing factors that could have caused the truck accident. Our truck accident attorney may uncover that the truck driver could have been under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Fatigue may have impaired the driver’s abilities and alertness when operating the vehicle. The company may have made unreasonable demands on the driver which caused them to work for a longer period than they should. Proper maintenance must always be performed on the truck. Critical components and accessories must be up to standards required by federal law. It is the duty of the truck driver and company to do routine truck checks and keep the entire fleet in compliance with safety regulations. After our truck accident attorney does an investigation, our lawyer can let you know the contributing factors of the incident and who all of the potential liable parties could be.
Bennerotte & Associates, P.A.
Commercial truck accidents can leave tragedy in its wake. Our team at Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. can get to work for you and your family in the aftermath of a traumatic event. We understand the stress and anguish you may be feeling at this time. Let us consult with you today so we can start pursuing maximum compensation for everything you endured. Once we learn more about the truck accident and investigate further, we can initiate the claims process and hold the responsible parties accountable. To receive legal support from our lawyer, reach out today.
The Importance Of Preserving Evidence After A Truck Accident
When we’re involved in a truck accident, everything can feel like a blur. There’s the shock, the pain, and the confusion about what just happened—and what we should do next. But one of the most important things we can do to protect our rights and build a strong case is to preserve evidence right away.
Truck accidents are very different from regular car crashes. They often involve serious injuries, multiple parties, and powerful trucking companies with teams of lawyers ready to defend themselves. That’s why we need to act quickly and smartly and work with our Rochester, MN truck accident lawyer. The evidence from the scene and the truck itself can make or break our case.
Why Is Preserving Evidence So Important?
At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., we know that trucking companies and their insurers don’t waste any time after an accident. They often have investigators on-site within hours, collecting data and working to minimize their liability. If we don’t secure the same evidence—or even know what to look for—we may lose our chance to prove what really happened.
This is where having a lawyer experienced in truck accident cases becomes crucial. They know what evidence to gather and how to get it before it’s lost, destroyed, or hidden.
Key Evidence We Need To Preserve
There are several types of evidence that can support our claim and show who was at fault:
1. Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data
Trucks are equipped with ELDs, or “black boxes,” which record information about speed, braking, driving time, and more. This data can reveal whether the driver was speeding, fatigued, or violated hours-of-service rules.
2. Driver Logs And Maintenance Records
We need to know how long the driver had been on the road and whether the truck was properly maintained. If the company cut corners on inspections or forced the driver to work past safe limits, that could point to negligence.
3. Surveillance Or Dash Cam Footage
Sometimes there’s footage from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dash cams that captured the crash. These videos can offer powerful, unbiased proof of what really happened.
4. Photos From The Scene
Images of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries can be crucial in telling the story of the crash.
5. Witness Statements
Eyewitnesses can back up our version of events, especially if the truck driver or company tries to shift blame.
How We Can Help Preserve The Evidence
We can start by taking photos and gathering contact info at the scene, if we’re able. But in most cases, especially when injuries are serious, it’s best to call a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced truck accident attorney can send a spoliation letter—a legal notice that tells the trucking company to preserve specific evidence. If they ignore that letter and destroy evidence, they can face legal penalties.
Time is not on our side when it comes to preserving truck accident evidence. The longer we wait, the more likely it is that crucial details will disappear. If we’ve been injured in a truck accident, we owe it to ourselves to act quickly, gather the right evidence, and build the strongest case possible.
Let’s not leave our future in the hands of a trucking company that’s only looking out for its bottom line. Let’s make sure we’re protected—starting with the evidence. A Rochester truck accident lawyer can help you along the way.