Free Consultation. No Fees Until You Collect. Call 24 Hours a Day 1-800-4-RIGHTS

Minnesota Offices

Serving all of Minnesota Call 1-800-4-RIGHTS

If you’re recovering, we’ll come to you. Or we’ll set up a meeting at one of our convenient office locations:

  • Minneapolis, Minnesota612-333-4500
  • Lakeville, Minnesota952-469-2288
  • Duluth, Minnesota218-722-6848
  • AUTO
    ACCIDENTS

    • Auto Accidents Overview
    • Car Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Bus Accidents
    • Drunk Driving Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Semi-Truck Accidents
    • SUV Rollover Accidents
  • Personal
    Injury

    • Personal Injury Overview
    • ATV Accidents
    • Boating Accidents
    • Civil Rights Violations
    • Construction Accidents
    • Dog Bites
    • Product Liability
    • Slip, Trip and Fall
    • Snowmobile Accidents
    • Train Accidents
    • Wrongful Death Accidents
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Birth Injuries
    • Hospital Negligence
    • Medication Errors
    • Misdiagnosis
    • Nursing Home Negligence
    • Surgical Complications
  • Workers
    Comp

    • Workers Compensation Overview
    • Construction Accidents
    • Minnesota Work Comp Law Update
    • Occupational Diseases
    • Third Party Claims
    • Workers' Compensation At A Glance
  • Verdicts &
    Settlements

  • Client
    Case Studies

  • Our
    Attorneys

    • Eric W. Beyer
    • Robert T. Brabbit
    • James P. Carey
    • Nick Carey
    • Shannon C. Carey
    • Paul K. Downes
    • Robert J. Hauer Jr.
    • Susan M. Holden
    • Arthur C. Kosieradzki
    • Jeffrey M. Montpetit
    • Marcia K. Miller
    • Mark G. Olive
    • Amy S. Pendergast
    • Michael F. Scully
    • Harry A. Sieben, Jr.
    • Jeffrey S. Sieben
    • Matthew E. Steinbrink
    • Cory P. Whalen
    • Featured Pages:
    • Meet Our Auto Accident Attorneys
    • Meet Our Personal Injury Attorneys
    • Meet Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys
    • Meet Our Workers' Compensation Attorneys
  • YOUR RIGHTS
    BLOG

Close
  • Home
  • auto accidents
  • semi truck accidents
  • truck accidents faq

Semi Truck Accidents - Frequently Asked Questions

After being injured in a semi-truck accident, you are thrown into an "adversarial legal system". In other words, you are not negotiating on level ground when dealing with a trucking company after an accident. Most trucking companies are highly skilled at auto/truck accident investigation and claims. These adjusters represent the truck company, not you!

Truck companies have accident investigators that are on call and dispatched to the scene of the crash as soon as the trucking company learns there has been an accident. Further, while the families of the accident victims are tending to medical and hospital care and funeral arraignments, the trucking company is investigating the accident and setting up their defense. This is why the victims of semi-truck accidents need to also have an attorney on their side, fighting for their rights.

  1. What is a "commercial truck"?
  2. How are traffic accidents involving trucks different from accidents involving passenger cars?
  3. What are the most common causes of accidents involving commercial trucks and automobiles?
  4. Is investigation important in a truck accident case?
  5. If I am injured in a truck accident, who can I sue?
What is a "commercial truck"?

A commercial truck is a vehicle used in the course of business and/or for the transport of commercial goods. Examples are 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, tanker trucks, dump trucks, delivery vehicles, semi trucks and other large freight trucks.

How are traffic accidents involving trucks different from accidents involving passenger cars?

Accidents involving trucks are typically more catastrophic than accidents involving cars due to the sheer size of a truck. A typical fully loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to this size disparity, and the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal, injuries.

What are the most common causes of accidents involving commercial trucks and automobiles?

Some common causes of truck accidents include inadequate training as to driving technique, safety issues and defensive driving; driver fatigue; a truck's characteristics and capabilities (such as limits associated with acceleration, braking and visibility); drug or alcohol use by the driver; speeding; mechanical failure; defective parts; and improper loading or overloading the truck.

Is investigation important in a truck accident case?

Yes. It is critical. If the truck was commercially owned, in most situations large trucking companies will perform their own investigation immediately after the accident. This puts you at a vast disadvantage. It is important that you retain an attorney who immediately investigates the case to attempt to pin down liability on any potential at-fault defendants.

If I am injured in a truck accident, who can I sue?

Generally, you will likely be able to sue the driver of the truck, the trucking company and perhaps the truck's manufacturer. Whether you can sue the trucking company depends on whether an employment relationship is established between the truck driver and the trucking company. However, the trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring or supervision of the truck driver. It may be possible to sue the truck's manufacturer if you can show that the accident was caused by some defect in the truck.

Verdicts and Settlements

background-img

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS

recovered for our clients

See recent verdicts and settlements

Auto Accidents

  • Car Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Bus Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Semi-Truck Accidents
  • SUV Rollover Accidents
  • Meet Our Auto Accident Attorneys

FREE Know Your Rights Kit

Get immediate access to the checklists, worksheets, and overviews you need if you or someone you care about is injured.

ACCESS NOW

Client Reviews

out of 217 reviews
  • Ross Baumgartner
    I was left in a very tough position. I was denied everything from an insurer after a terrible automobile accident. After contacting SiebenCarey not on ...See full review
  • Carly R.
    My boyfriend was hit by a car and while all the attorneys he talked to said he didn't have much chance of a case, SiebenCarey took him on and gave him ...See full review
  • Aaron Lundgren
    When I needed help, after an auto accident,  I was unsure who to turn to. A family friend has suggested SiebenCarey to because of their prior experien ...See full review
  • Tara Papacek
    Great experience on a long and complicated case which ended with an excellent outcome.
  • Roger and Merle Landro
    We wanted to thank you so much for all that you did for us. This was a very difficult time in our life and you made it possible for us to get through ...See full review
  • Ashlyn Wall
    They were able to work with me while I was away for school and much appreciated the help. I would highly recommend them!
  • Marcia Borg
    Very nice people.
  • Phil Manger
    Awesome lawyers, awesome staff!!
SEE CLIENT CASE STUDIES

Award Winning Know Your Rights Attorneys

2022 Best Lawyers in America©

Also awarded in:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

Attorneys of the Year

5 of our attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year

2022 U.S. News Best Law Firms

Also awarded in:
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

2022 Super Lawyers

Also awarded in:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists

8 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, Minnesota Bar Association
3 Board Certified Trial Advocates, National Board of Trial Advocacy.

MORE AWARD DETAILS AND RECOGNIZED ATTORNEYS

Subscribe to our Know Your Rights Newsletter

Get the latest insights on health, safety, and legal rights for your family.

SUBSCRIBE

Had an Accident or Injury?
WE CAN HELP!

  • No risk or obligation. We only collect fees if you win.
  • Free review of your options and potential for success.
  • Trusted by more than 65,000 people just like you since 1952.

Call us 24/7 at 1-800-4-RIGHTS (744487)

Or complete the form

Would you recommend us?

We are interested in hearing about your experience with SiebenCarey Personal Injury Law.

Would you mind leaving a review? If so, please take a moment to tell us about your experience and also mention the attorney you worked with. Your feedback helps us to improve our services to you and all clients.

Review on Google Review on Facebook

Was your experience not ideal?

Contact Us Directly

Contact Us

We strive to provide top quality legal and customer service. We're sorry that we didn't meet our own expectations for you.

How can we do better?

Free Know Your Rights Kit

Subscribe to our Know Your Rights Newsletter

Subscribe to receive valuable monthly emails regarding health, safety, and your legal rights.

AUTO ACCIDENTS

  • Car Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Bus Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Semi-Truck Accidents
  • SUV Rollover Accidents

PERSONAL INJURY

  • ATV Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Civil Rights Violations
  • Construction Accidents
  • Dog Bites
  • Product Liability
  • Slip, Trip and Fall
  • Snowmobile Accidents
  • Train Accidents
  • Wrongful Death Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Birth Injuries
  • Hospital Negligence
  • Medication Errors
  • Misdiagnosis
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Surgical Complications

WORKERS COMP

  • Construction Accidents
  • Minnesota Work Comp Law Update
  • Occupational Diseases
  • Third Party Claims
  • Workers' Compensation At A Glance

ABOUT US

  • Award Winning Attorneys
  • Blog
  • Certified Investigators
  • Case Studies
  • Community Service
  • Contact Us
  • Minnesota Statute of Limitations
  • Newsletter
  • Verdicts and Settlements

LOCATIONS

Serving all of Minnesota with offices in:

Minneapolis, Minnesota
612-333-4500

Lakeville, Minnesota
952-469-2288

Duluth, Minnesota
218-722-6848

©2023 SiebenCarey
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
Join Us: