Frequently Asked Questions On Truck Accidents

Victims of truck accidents have a lot on their minds and very little time to get answers. They require legal help to secure the compensation they need. If you’re struggling with injuries from a truck accident, we can help.

At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., our attorneys have decades of experience dealing with truck crashes. We have answers to the most pressing questions you have.

What makes a truck accident so dangerous?

With thousands of deaths – and many more injuries – each year, truck accidents are dangerous. The main reasons for this elevated level of danger are:

Vehicle weight: Commercial trucks are far heavier than other vehicles on the road. That weight means that even low-speed accidents can be extremely violent for smaller vehicles such as cars, bicycles and motorcycles.
Vehicle construction: As a part of being heavy, they must also be built with sturdier materials. That means that in a given accident, the weight and the more solid materials can cause more destruction to other vehicles.

The fact is that commercial trucks are the largest, most powerful vehicles on the road. Getting into an accident with one is a prospect that is one of the most physically threatening you may face. But even that difficulty doesn’t quite cover how difficult pursuing compensation may be.

What makes truck accident litigation so difficult?

Trucking and shipping are very wealthy industries. Millions of dollars are made each year, and shipping companies are aggressive in taking action to secure their bottom line. One area that they are particularly aggressive with is fighting against injury and wrongful death claims.

To a trucking company attorney, you are not a person with injuries or losses. You’re an obstacle to remove. They will make use of any strategy or tactic available to not pay you the compensation you deserve. These legal teams delay and deny every claim against their aggressiveness, which will cause you a great deal of stress.

What are the most common causes of truck accident crashes?

Trucks are on the road constantly, and that constant presence on the road leads to issues like:

Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are much more likely to be driving tired than other drivers. There are many laws governing how long drivers may be on the road. However, that governance only goes so far, and driver fatigue can set in at many points.
Road conditions: The unpredictability of roads in Minnesota can lead to truck accidents. On a long enough timeline, the snow of Minnesota will cause anyone to have a scary moment. A moment out of control for a truck is much worse than it is for someone in a sedan.
Overloading: Tractor-trailers must meet strict weight requirements. Weight limits make trucks safe for the roads and also for the vehicles themselves. However, companies will often push these boundaries in the name of efficiency.
Truck maintenance: Constant driving leads to wear and tear on a vehicle, and this goes double for commercial vehicles. They are in constant motion, and the miles and wear add up. Trucks must have continual skilled maintenance to be safe.

There are many other reasons that a truck accident may happen, but these are easily the most common.

How can I stay safe on the road near trucks?

Often, sharing the road with a commercial truck of some type is unavoidable. They are everywhere. Your job is to keep vigilant. Try to keep your distance from the truck and, if possible, take as wide a berth as possible if you wish to pass. If you can’t see the mirrors on a truck, they can’t see you.

What are the most dangerous types of trucks?

Commercial trucks come in a few varieties, such as large box trucks, busses and tractor-trailers. They all have their drawbacks from a safety perspective, and it would be impossible to designate one as more dangerous than the others. The fact is that all commercial vehicles have the capacity to cause a lot of damage, and you should be equally wary of all of them.

When are trucks most likely to crash?

At least in Minnesota, according to the data, the most common times for a commercial truck accident are Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Although, the data also highlights Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. as having a particularly high spike. These are the times when trucks are out on the road making deliveries.

Who is at fault in a truck crash?

Fault can be complex in a commercial truck accident case. The person at fault could be:

The driver
The owner of the vehicle
The mechanic for the vehicle
The person who loaded the vehicle
The township that didn’t properly maintain the road

Any and all of these parties can contribute to an accident. But unraveling the complexities of fault in your case may take the skills of a dedicated, caring attorney.

Will I need a lawyer?

To ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your accident, finding an attorney is the first and smartest thing you can do. At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., we have helped many people across Minnesota get compensation after a truck accident. Call us at (651) 240-3309 or send us an email using this form.