Minnesota Injured Truck Driver Lawyer

Trusted Injured Truck Driver Attorney in Minnesota

Truck drivers face risks every time they get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many drivers eventually are involved in a truck accident. These accidents are incredibly destructive, leading to overwhelming physical, financial, and emotional losses. A Minnesota injured truck driver lawyer can help you understand your legal options when it comes to recovering compensation as an injured trucker. 

Why Choose Craig Steger?

Craig Steger is an attorney at Hale Skemp Firm, bringing over 20 years of experience to trucking accidents, representing accident victims in passenger vehicles as well as victims driving the truck. Craig Steger has a deep personal connection to the trucking industry in the Midwest and is passionate about standing up for the rights of truckers who were injured in Minnesota. 

Understanding Minnesota Truck Accidents

Even if you drive prudently and adhere to all trucking rules and regulations, crashes can still happen. Often, they are caused by other drivers’ errors, poor vehicle maintenance, defective vehicle parts, or unsafe road conditions. In Minnesota, truck accidents are common along routes such as I-35 or I-94, where there is a high amount of commercial vehicle traffic. 

Truck accidents are surprisingly common in Minnesota. In 2023, there were 4,568 truck crashes in Minnesota, while in 2024, there were 816 injuries as a result of truck accidents. 

When you are on the job and you get into an accident, the claims process is more complex than in a typical motor vehicle accident. These cases involve thorough investigations to fully understand who was at fault for the accident. If you hire an injured truck driver lawyer, they can explain the complicated legal concepts involved in your claim and can identify what paths toward compensation are available to you. 

The Difference Between a Third-Party Claim and a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Because a truck accident happens while you are working, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Under Minnesota’s injured truck driver laws, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to injured workers regardless of who caused the accident. These benefits often include medical treatment costs and a portion of your lost wages. 

Workers’ compensation benefits are subject to strict limits, which may not provide the full recovery that drivers who have been in serious accidents need. For this reason, many injured truck driver cases involve filing a third-party claim. A Minnesota injured truck driver attorney can evaluate your case to determine what claim is right for you. 

A third-party claim is an at-fault claim, which means it is filed against the party responsible for an accident, such as another driver. For example, if a distracted driver crashes into your truck and you are facing significant damage, you may file a claim against that driver’s insurance company. Third-party claims do require proving fault, but they can help recover more comprehensive compensation.  

Damages You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Claim

The compensation in a truck accident claim depends on the specific damages you are suffering from, their severity, and whether you are filing a third-party claim or a workers’ compensation claim. Some damages that many truck drivers are able to recover include:

• Medical expenses. Medical expenses, including ongoing rehabilitation or anticipated treatments, are often some of the most significant expenses accident victims face. Compensation can cover the cost of medical care for your accident-related injuries. 
• Lost wages. Oftentimes, drivers are forced to take time away from work due to their injuries or medical treatments. Compensation can cover the lost income, preventing further financial hardship due to the accident. 
• Lost earning capacity. In cases where drivers are left with a permanent disability, compensation can be increased to reflect the inability to work or the reduced capacity. 
• Property damage. A truck accident typically involves significant property damage, both to the vehicle itself and to personal property. Many drivers seek compensation for damage to clothing, personal electronics, or equipment. 
• Pain and suffering. Though the financial losses can be devastating, compensation also reflects the non-economic losses. Both mental and physical pain and suffering are taken into account when determining your award.

FAQs

What Happens if You Get in an Accident as a Truck Driver?

If you get into an accident as a truck driver, you must protect your personal safety while also taking the right legal steps. To protect yourself, check for injuries, move away from the accident scene, and notify the police and your trucking company. To protect your legal options, avoid admitting fault or speaking with insurance companies without a Minnesota injured truck driver lawyer. Additionally, gather evidence such as witness statements, photographs, and videos. 

What Is the Three-Collision Rule?

The three-collision rule is a concept that means in every truck accident, three different collisions occur. There is a collision between the truck and another vehicle or object, the collision between the passenger and the inside of the truck, and the collision between internal organs. In a truck accident, each of these collisions occurs, each having the potential to cause damage. 

What Injuries Are Common in Injured Truck Driver Cases?

Some of the most common injuries that truck drivers experience include traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, broken bones, spinal cord damage, internal organ damage, and broken bones. The specific injuries you are suffering from matter, as it impacts what damages you can recover. For example, severe injuries often result in higher compensation to cover the increased medical expenses, long-term health consequences, and significant physical pain that the injury caused. 

Is Minnesota an At-Fault State for Auto Accidents?

No, Minnesota is not an at-fault state for auto accidents. Instead, there’s a no-fault system where accident victims can file for compensation through their own auto insurance company, rather than the at-fault driver’s. 

However, there are specific conditions in injured truck driver laws where you may be able to pursue an at-fault claim against the at-fault driver, which is common in a truck accident. These conditions include medical expenses exceeding $4,000, a permanent injury, or a permanent disfigurement.

Hire an Experienced Injured Truck Driver Lawyer Today

As an injured truck driver, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the claims process. Contact Craig Steger to learn how a Minnesota injured truck driver attorney can help you file a claim and recover compensation after a truck crash.