Truck Drivers and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation

When people think of “truck accidents,” they tend to think about crashes where pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles are hurt when they’re involved in a crash with a truck. While these people certainly can be injured if they’re involved in crash with a semi-truck, a tractor-trailer, an 18-wheeler truck, or another large truck, often times, the drivers of those trucks often sustain injures as well.

Truck drivers involved in on-the-job crashes often sustain serious injuries, including burn injuries, internal injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death. Single-truck crashes, such as when the truck malfunctions, or operator makes an error, or the driver loses control on an icy road, can also result in severe injuries.

Truckers are also more susceptible to other types of work-related injuries. Truckers commonly develop shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries as a result of driving truck for extended periods of time. Truck drivers also commonly sustain injuries while pulling the fifth wheel pin, performing maintenance on the truck, slipping and falling getting in and out of the truck, or unloading the truck.

Fortunately, many truck drivers are covered by workers’ compensation, which provides medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, permanency benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

Truck driver workers’ compensation claims often involve a number of complicated legal questions. Over-the-road or long-haul truckers often sustain injuries in states other than where they live, or where their employer is located, which can raise questions as to jurisdiction. Trucking companies often call their drivers “independent contractors,” and argue that they are not entitled to workers’ compensation coverage. Truck accidents also often involve third party liability claims, or fault-based claims against parties other than the driver’s employer.

These can be complex and contentious cases. If you’re a truck driver who resides in Minnesota, if your truck company employer is based in Minnesota, or if you’re a truck driver who sustained injuries in Minnesota, call Meuser & Associate for a free, no-obligation case evaluation at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

12 Traffic Deaths in MN in First Days of October Leads to Safety Belt Enforcement Campaign

On Friday, a campaign of increased seat belt enforcement began across the state following a streak of deadly car crashes in the first few days of October. This increased enforcement will run through October 28th according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

During the first six days of October, there were at least 12 traffic fatalities. Those deaths included at least 5 vehicle occupants who were not buckled up. On Tuesday night, there was a rollover crash in Fridley in which four unbelted occupants were ejected from the vehicle, resulting in one death and two critical injuries.

According to Lieutenant Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol, “This crash is the perfect example of why 400-plus people are killed in Minnesota roads annually—aggressive driving, possible alcohol use, and of course, no seat belts.” He further noted that “Despite all the mistakes that led to this crash, seat belts could have made a difference. The aim of this enforcement effort is to encourage belt use to prevent these tragedies.”

Each year, unbelted motorists account for more than one-half of all vehicle occupants killed. In Minnesota, between 2007 and 2009, more than 1,000 motorists were killed in crashes and only 43 percent were belted.

The Department of Public Safety notes that during a rollover crash, unbelted motorists are usually ejected from the vehicle, often crashing through a window and then being crushed by the vehicle. Unbelted motorists will also slam into and injure others in the vehicle during a crash, and in less severe crashes, unbelted motorists may break teeth or noses on the steering wheel. The odds of injury are six times greater for people not wearing seatbelts than for people who are wearing seat belts during a crash.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, your permanent injuries, and your pain and suffering. Contact Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

Commercial Truck Accidents in Minnesota: Use Extra Caution When Driving Around Trucks

Each year, thousands of people in the United States are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving commercial trucks. Drivers should exercise caution when driving near commercial trucks to help prevent serious accidents.

Here are some things to keep in mind about sharing Minnesota roads and highways with commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks:

Truck Drivers Have Large Blind Spots. There are large blind spots around the front, back, and sides of the truck. When cars are in these blind spots, the trucker cannot see them. Always give a truck plenty of space, and try to avoid its blind spots.

Trucks Make Wide turns. Truck drivers often have to swing out to make turns. Give trucks plenty of space when they are making turns. Do not try to squeeze by a truck as it's attempting to make a turn.

Tractor Trailers Require Longer Stopping Distances. Due to the heavy weight of tractor-trailers, it takes longer for trucks to come to a stop. If there’s a sudden stop on the highway, semi-trucks may not have enough stopping distance to avoid a rear-end collision.

In addition to the inherent physical and mechanical characteristics that contribute to truck accidents, a number of other preventable factors can lead to more truck accidents:

Driver fatigue. Long hours, unrealistic schedules and tired drivers increase the likelihood of truck accidents. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), driver fatigue is a probable factor in 20 to 40% of truck crashes.

Intoxicated driving. The NTSB reports that 67% of fatally injured truck drivers tested positive for alcohol or drugs.

Excessive speed. Drivers operating their trucks at excessive speeds are much more likely to be involved in jackknife or rollover accidents.

Inadequate inspections. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 2 million roadside inspection violations last year alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a truck crash in Minnesota, you should seriously consider retaining an experienced Minnesota personal injury lawyer. Fighting an insurance company on your own to secure the compensation you deserve can be an extremely difficult and frustrating process. We can help make the process less difficult. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

Visit Minnesota Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Law Firm, Meuser & Associates, P.A., at MeuserLaw.com