Semi Truck and Minivan Accident

“Two women have died and one has been critically injured. Although the investigation is ongoing, it appears that the semi truck driver that rear-ended their minivan near Hugo, Minnesota was not paying attention and/or was going too fast,” stated Attorney Fred Pritzker. “This was a ‘professional’ driver hired by a company to transport goods over the road. This accident is inexcusable, and the surviving victim and the families of those killed should be compensated.”

On August 27, 2009 a little after noon, Carolyn Anderson was driving Rosemarie Bongivanni, her aunt, and Marlene Wanner, her cousin, to have lunch with another relative. As the minivan they were driving slowed down on Highway 61 near Hugo, a semi truck rammed into the back of it.

The force of the rear-end collision sent the minivan into the ditch and instantly killed Carolyn Anderson. Rosemarie Bongivanni died at the hospital, and Marlene Wanner is in critical condition. Not surprisingly, the driver of the semi truck had no apparent injury.

Why Did a Semi Truck Driver Rear-End a Minivan in Hugo?

The accident in Hugo is one of several recent semi truck accidents involving rear-end collisions. We have seen a rise in these types of accidents and also semi accidents involving turning into a pedestrian, bicycle or other vehicle.

Our experience has been that these accidents are usually caused by driver inattentiveness and/or speeding, which can include driving at a speed that is too fast under the circumstances.

There are a lot of housing developments in the Hugo area. The semi driver should have been watching for slowing traffic and driving at a speed that would allow the driver to stop for a turning vehicle.

Did the semi driver see the minivan slowing down and misjudge how soon he needed to slow down and stop? Did the semi driver not see the minivan? Was the semi driver on a cell phone or texting? Had the semi driver been drinking, even a little? Was the semi driver tired?

To find the answer to these questions, it is necessary to do a significant amount of investigation and evidence gathering. Our law firm has the skill, experience and record of success to find answers and translate them into a winning argument.

Our Minneapolis, Minnesota law firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our accident and wrongful death clients. We know what we are doing. Contact us.

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MN Lawyer for Hugo Semi Truck and Minivan Collision

Our job as semi accident lawyers is to do everything possible to obtain the best possible compensation package for our clients. We have handled truck accidents involving wrongful death and serious injury, and these victims and families need compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, cost of care, loss of companionship, disability, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other damages.

Attorney Fred Pritzker has been named a "Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer" and a "Top 40 Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyer" by Law & Politics. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America. Fred has appeared on the CBS News, FOX's "Geraldo Live,", KARE-TV, KSTP-TV and WCCO-TV. To contact a Minnesota semi truck accident lawyer, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), call (612)338-0202 or submit our free consultation form. We are not paid unless you win.

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Our lawyers have recovered millions more for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation about your accident.

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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death