Truck Accident Lawyers in Minnesota

Decades of Experience Handling Minnesota Truck Accident Claims

Do I Have a Truck Accident Case?

Not every crash becomes a lawsuit, but many truck collisions are preventable and tied to negligence.

A truck accident case generally arises when:

• A truck driver or trucking company failed to use reasonable care
• That failure directly caused your injuries
• You suffered measurable damages

We handle cases involving many types of trucks and commercial vehicles, including:

• Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers
• Trailer-trailers and cargo trucks
• Delivery vehicles
• Tanker trucks
• Dump trucks
• Flatbed trucks

If you believe the facts support a claim, we’ll explore your options and what pursuing one could look like.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Crash?

Truck cases are rarely "just" about the driver. Several parties may share responsibility:

Truck driver

Speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, ignoring blind spots, driving while drowsy, or driving under the influence all increase crash risk. Inexperienced drivers is a major growing factor in trucking accidents.

Trucking company / employer

The company may be liable for poor hiring, inadequate training, unsafe dispatch schedules, or pressuring drivers to skip mandated rest periods.

Truck or trailer owner / lessor

If poor maintenance caused a part to malfunction or fail, the owner or leasing company may share liability.

Cargo-loading company

Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can cause rollovers, cargo spills, or make the truck uncontrollable. If load conditions contributed to the crash, the loading party may be liable.

Truck or parts manufacturer

Defective tires, brakes, steering components, or other critical parts can lead to a loss of control and a serious collision.

TSR will identify all available sources of liability so you’re not limited to the first insurance policy that steps forward.

What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

Every case is different. Your potential recovery depends on factors like:

• The severity of your injuries
• How long you’re expected to need treatment
• Whether you can return to work
• Your pain and emotional suffering

When we take your case, we pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, which may include:

• Medical bills – past, current, and future
• X-rays, MRIs, and other imaging
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications and assistive devices
• Lost income and paid time off
• Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance
• Loss of enjoyment of life

We can give you a more specific sense of value after we review your medical records, bills, and the details of the crash.

How TSR Injury Law Helps After a Truck Crash

Truck accident claims are evidence-heavy and aggressively defended. If we represent you, here’s what our team does:

Investigating the crash

We visit the scene, collect photos, dashcam videos, statements, police, and scene measurements to build a clear timeline.

Gathering medical documentation

We obtain the driver’s logbooks, electronic logging data, GPS records, and maintenance history – records trucking companies are legally required to keep.

Building your medical case

We coordinate medical evaluation, imaging, and treatment plans to show how the crash caused your injuries and how those injuries affect your daily life and ability to work.

Negotiating for full and fair compensation

Adjusters try to shift blame or minimize your injuries. We deal with them directly and push back with evidence – including expert reports from a position built on evidence.

Preparing as if your case will go to trial

Most cases settle, but TSR prepares for courtroom presentation and ensures we’re ready to try if the case demands it.

Truck crash victims who work with a lawyer often recover more than those who try to handle claims alone.

Trucking Insurance Coverage That May Apply

Commercial trucks typically carry much higher insurance limits than passenger vehicles. Multiple policies may be available, including coverage from the driver, trucking company, cargo company, and vehicle manufacturer.

For interstate (within Minnesota) cargo, minimum liability coverage can include:

• Up to $300,000 for general freight
• Up to $750,000 for certain hazmat
• Up to $5,000,000 for specialized loads

For interstate (cross-state lines) trucking, federal regulations set higher minimums, with limits from $750,000 or $1,000,000 (commonly $1,000,000), with additional coverages.

• Cargo insurance (often at least $100,000 to cover the goods in transit)
• Umbrella or excess liability policies (many companies carry $5–10M+ umbrella policies)
• Bobtail insurance, which can provide liability coverage when a driver is operating the truck without a trailer
• Driving home after a shift
• Running personal errands between loads

You don’t need to dig through policy language to figure out what applies. If you hire us, we identify all available coverage and pursue claims against each responsible party.

Trucking Regulations That May Affect Your Claim

The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Hours of Service (HOS)

On Minnesota roads, commercial vehicles are generally limited to:

• Property: 11 hours driving / 14-hour on-duty limit
• Height: up to 13 feet 6 inches
• Width: up to 8 feet 6 inches

Maximum gross weight usually tops out at 80,000 pounds, with axle-based limits such as:

• 12,000 pounds for a single axle
• 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle group

(Weight limits differ slightly on unpaved roads.)

Oversized trucks are harder to stop and control, and they cause more severe collisions.

Hours-of-Service Rules

To reduce fatigue-related crashes, property-carrying drivers generally may not:

• Drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• Drive more than 14 hours after coming on duty
• Drive after 60/70 on-duty hours in 7/8 consecutive days

Commercial drivers must record their hours on electronic logging devices. We often examine these records for violations.

Commercial drivers must be tested before driving and may be subject to:

• Mandatory post-accident drug/alcohol testing
• Random testing during employment

Positive tests or failures to comply can significantly affect liability.

"No-Zone" / Blind Spot Collisions

Trucks have large blind spots – known as the No-Zone. If you were in a truck driver’s blind spot, the truck driver still has duties to check and change lanes safely. Key blind spots include:

• Side no-zones: Along both sides of the trailer, especially the right side
• Rear no-zone: Directly behind the truck, where the driver can’t see using rear-view mirrors
• Front no-zone: Directly in front of the truck, where smaller vehicles can disappear from view

If you were hit while in one of these zones, you may still have a viable claim depending on the circumstances.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Minnesota?

Most Minnesota personal injury claims – including truck accidents – must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. Missing this deadline can eliminate your right to recover compensation, even if your injuries are severe.

Important: Injuries may not fully surface within two years of their full severity.

In some situations, the clock won’t start until a victim discovers specific and identifiable injuries.

Because deadlines are strict and evidence can disappear quickly, it’s smart to talk with an attorney as soon as possible after a truck crash.

Injured in a Truck Crash? It’s TSR Time.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a crash involving a semi truck or commercial vehicle, contact TSR Injury Law today.

CALL 612-TSR-TIME (612) 877-8463