1. TSR Injury Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo spill accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, no-fault insurance claims
Background: TSR Injury Law is one of Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firms with offices in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The firm has obtained substantial settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims throughout Minnesota.
Location: 366 Jackson Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101
Contact: (612) 334-3434 | https://www.tsrinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
2. SiebenCarey
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, equipment failure accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, improper cargo loading accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, no-fault PIP claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: SiebenCarey has served Minnesota injury victims for over 70 years. The firm has a team of experienced truck accident attorneys who understand the complexities of trucking regulations and multi-party liability cases.
Location: 333 South Seventh Street, Suite 2950, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Contact: (651) 994-6744 | https://www.knowyourrights.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. The firm serves the Twin Cities metro area including St. Paul.
3. Meshbesher & Spence
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Meshbesher & Spence is a well-established personal injury law firm in Minneapolis serving clients throughout Minnesota including St. Paul. The firm has a track record of obtaining significant verdicts and settlements in serious injury cases.
Location: 1616 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact: (612) 339-9121 | https://www.meshbesher.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm represents clients throughout Minnesota.
4. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, equipment failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, no-fault insurance claims, underinsured motorist claims
Background: Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben has been representing injury victims in Minnesota for over 50 years. The firm has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients injured in truck accidents.
Location: 5120 American Boulevard West, Bloomington, MN 55437
Contact: (612) 377-7777 | https://www.schwebel.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. The firm serves clients throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
5. Bradshaw & Bryant PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Bradshaw & Bryant PLLC represents injury victims throughout Minnesota in personal injury and wrongful death cases. The attorneys have extensive experience handling complex truck accident litigation.
Location: 3500 American Boulevard West, Suite 100, Bloomington, MN 55431
Contact: (800) 770-7008 | https://www.bradshawbryant.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee arrangement available.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Minnesota
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.07, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is six years from the date of the accident. This is significantly longer than most states, which typically have two to three year deadlines.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Six years from the date of the incident under Minnesota law.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Three years from the date of death under Minnesota Statutes Section 573.02.
Insurance System: Minnesota is a “no-fault” auto insurance state. Under Minnesota’s no-fault system, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to policy limits. However, you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a liability claim against the at-fault party if your injuries meet certain thresholds.
No-Fault Threshold Requirements: To pursue a liability claim against an at-fault truck driver in Minnesota, your injuries must meet one of the following thresholds: medical expenses exceeding $4,000, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, or disability for 60 or more days.
Comparative Negligence Rule: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01. An injured party can recover damages if they are less than 51% at fault for the accident. If the plaintiff is 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. When the plaintiff is found partially at fault (50% or less), their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Minnesota requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 per accident for property damage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $40,000 is also required.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must carry higher coverage amounts.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Minnesota courts apply FMCSA regulations in truck accident litigation. Trucking companies and drivers must comply with federal hours of service rules, driver qualification standards, vehicle maintenance requirements, and cargo securement regulations.
Vicarious Liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies in Minnesota can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers while acting within the scope of employment.
Punitive Damages: Minnesota allows punitive damages in cases involving willful indifference to the rights or safety of others. Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of deliberate disregard.
Damage Caps: Minnesota does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases, including truck accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is Minnesota’s statute of limitations for truck accident claims?
A1: Minnesota provides one of the longest statutes of limitations in the country for personal injury claims. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.07, you have six years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is three years from the date of death. While six years provides more time than most states, it is still important to consult with an attorney promptly to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
Q2: How does Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system affect my truck accident claim?
A2: Minnesota is a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your initial medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. However, PIP has limits (minimum $40,000) and does not cover pain and suffering. To pursue a liability claim against the at-fault truck driver for additional damages, your injuries must meet certain thresholds: medical expenses exceeding $4,000, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, or disability for 60 or more days. Given the severity of most truck accidents, injured victims often meet these thresholds and can pursue full compensation from the at-fault parties.
Q3: How does Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident claim?
A3: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01. If you are found to be less than 51% at fault for the truck accident, you can recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $300,000 and you are 20% at fault, you would receive $240,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. This makes establishing the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence critical to your case.
Q4: Which parties can be held liable in a Minnesota truck accident case?
A4: Multiple parties may be liable in a Minnesota truck accident case. The truck driver can be held personally liable for their negligence, such as driving while fatigued, distracted, or impaired. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the trucking company can be held vicariously liable for accidents caused by employee drivers acting within the scope of employment. The trucking company may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. Other potentially liable parties include cargo loading companies if improperly secured cargo caused the accident, maintenance companies if mechanical failures were due to negligent repairs, and truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment contributed to the crash.
Q5: Are there damage caps in Minnesota truck accident cases?
A5: Minnesota does not impose statutory caps on economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) in truck accident cases. This means you can pursue full compensation for all your losses without arbitrary limits. Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving willful indifference to the rights or safety of others, though they require clear and convincing evidence. The absence of damage caps distinguishes Minnesota from many other states that limit non-economic or punitive damages.