An accident between a semi truck and a passenger car on January 17, 2016 killed a Renville woman and seriously injured the truck driver. The crashed occurred around 3:30 am just west of Prinsburg, Minnesota, near the intersection of Highway 7 and 135th Street.
The 2013 Freightliner semi was traveling east on Highway 7 and the passenger car, a 2002 Buick Regal, was going south on 135th Street when the accident occurred. The semi struck the car broadside.
The forty-seven-year-old woman died at the scene. The driver of the semi truck was seriously injured and was airlifted to the hospital. Highway 7 was closed for several hours while the accident was investigated. The road conditions were dry at the time of the accident.
Semi truck accidents are different from accidents between passenger cars. The trucking industry is heavily regulated and must comply with many federal laws. An attorney experienced in this area of law will know how to investigate the accident and which steps to take to protect your legal rights.
Some of the regulations that apply to these large trucks include:
- Limited hours of operation. The driver may only drive for 11 hours every day, or 77 hours in a 7 day week. These are called “Hours of Service.”
- Semi truck drivers must have a special license and meet certain qualifications to drive these rigs.
- Trucks must be maintained to a certain standard.
- Employers are responsible for testing for alcohol and controlled substance use.
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman have represented families in wrongful death cases against semi truck corporations. They investigate the accident, make sure that evidence, including trucking logs, are preserved, and inspect the semi and any other vehicles involved in the accident. Witnesses are interviewed and documents from the trucking firm must be obtained.
A wrongful death claim can be filed against the truck driver, the driver’s employer, the owner of the truck, the owner of the freight, maintenance companies, and the manufacturer of a defective truck part. An experienced attorney is a crucial partner to your family at this time. Certain procedures must be followed to file claims and recover on them.
You can contact Fred and Eric to protect your legal rights and help you through this difficult time. Call them, toll free, at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. There are no up-front fees.
