Semi Truck Accident Lawsuit

When an unsafe truck or driver causes injury or death, our attorneys are here to help get justice and compensation for you.

A Truck Accident Injury Law Firm With a Winning Record

We understand how important hiring the right lawyer is after a serious injury. You need to choose a lawyer you can trust to represent you in court, and one who will fight for your right to medical care and financial security. You need a lawyer who will stand by you from the moment you contact them through the completion of your case and beyond.

We stand by our clients and know how to get things done. We have helped clients get the care they needed when their insurance company didn’t want to cover it, made arrangements with landlords to allow our clients to stay in their apartments, and contacted banks and government service providers to make sure our clients needs were met.

Truck Accident Lawyers Examining Scene
Pritzker Hageman truck injury attorneys investigating a semi truck crash

The semi truck accident lawyers at Pritzker Hageman, led by attorney Eric Hageman, can help you get justice, answers and compensation. They have won many multimillion-dollar settlements for clients.

We are a national law firm helping people all over the United States get the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact us using the form below to find out if we can help you and your family.

Who Can Sue After a Truck Crash?

Injured people, families, and others can all have standing to sue for compensation, depending on the circumstances.

When someone reaches out to us for help, one of the first questions they often ask is if they have the right to sue. This is a very important question. Most of the time, you can file a lawsuit if you were injured in an accident and that accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Similarly, if negligence is involved in an accident that kills a loved one, you can often file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party that caused their death.

Determining negligence after an accident can be a very complex process. Even if the police report cites you as the at-fault driver that caused the accident, it doesn’t mean that the other drivers negligent did not contribute to the accident, and it is possible that the police officer did not have all the facts of the accident and is wrong. If you have been in an accident, contacting a lawyer is the best first step to seeing if you can sue.

100% Free Consultation With Our Truck Crash Lawyers

Call: 1-888-377-8900 | Text: 612-261-0856

Who Can I Sue if I Was Hit By a Truck?

Usually when you sue for a truck accident, you sue the negligent driver, and the company who owns the semi cab, trailer, and/or its cargo. Corporations like FedEx, Walmart and Target are also responsible for the safe transport of goods, and they need to be held accountable.

It is important for your lawyer to sort out who the responsible parties are that contributed to the accident, and to hold them all accountable.  The liable parties that are often sued in a commercial vehicle collision lawsuit may include one or more of the following…

 •  The Vehicle Operator

When a truck driver or other commercial vehicle operator is not fully alert or in control of their vehicle, they endanger the lives of everyone around them. When a driver’s action or lack of action results in injury or death, they can be personally held responsible for their actions.

These drivers are, by law, required to use extra care and caution when on the road. They are also required to follow strict federal and state regulations, including laws limiting the number of hours they can be behind the wheel. In addition, they can be charged with DUI or DWI with a blood alcohol level of .04%. Read about one of our cases involving a driver who was charged with using synthetic marijuana.

 •  The Owner of Truck, Trailer, or Load

The owner of any part of the tractor-trailer or the contents of the trailer can often be held liable for any injuries caused by their goods or the transportation of their goods.

 •  The Trucking Company (Freight Carrier)

Trucking companies are often at least partially responsible for any accident that involves their vehicle. In many cases crashes result from the company choosing to ignore safety violations, not fully enforce federal regulations, or putting on the road an unqualified or unsafe driver.

Carriers are liable for the actions of their employees. Neither intent to commit, nor actual knowledge of, a violation is a necessary element of that liability.” (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)

 •  The Equipment Manufacture

When an accident is caused by the malfunction of a piece of equipment, company that manufactured that piece of equipment and the company that used it in building their vehicle can both be held responsible for an accident resulting from their malfunction equipment. The most common malfunctioning parts include the steering components, brakes, lights, and tires.

 •  The Service and Maintenance Shops

It is the responsibility of service and maintenance shops to 1) service vehicles correctly and 2) to be on the lookout for vehicle parts that have become worn down and unsafe. When shops neglect these duties, they endanger the lives of both truck drivers, and those in vehicles around them. We look for any evidence that might lead us to believe that negligence might have caused an accident.

 •  The Truck Manufacturer

If the air brakes, steering system, tires, trailer hitch or other part fails and causes, even in part, a crash, the maker of that part and others may be legally responsible.

How Can a Tractor-Trailer Driver Be at Fault for a Crash?

The primary issue in a commercial vehicle collision case is generally determining who is at fault. Specific ways that a commercial tractor-trailer driver can be at fault include the following:

  1. Driving distracted.  A distracted driver is usually reading, talking on a cell phone, eating, or simply not paying attention. This can cause big rig drivers to veer into oncoming traffic, roll over, or push other cars off the road.
  2. Ignoring a stop sign, light or other traffic sign.  This is usually caused by carelessness, or distracted driving.  These lawsuits often involve serious injury as the driver often t-bones or loses control of their 18-wheeler. When this happens the tractor-trailer often broadsides another vehicle or hits a pedestrian. Eric Hageman recently won 2.4 million for a husband whose wife was killed by a 18-wheeler while on a bike.
  3. Merging improperly into traffic.  A semitrailer’s length can make it difficult to maneuver. When truckers are careless or merge aggressively, their vehicles can cause serious harm and death. We have represented families whose loved ones have been the victims of careless driving.
  4. Speeding.  This is a contributory factor in many accidents. If an 18-wheeler crashes into a car while going over the speed limit, the results can be tragic. Speeding can mean driving too fast for the conditions, for example if there is road construction or the roads are wet.
  5. Tailgating.  When an 18 wheeler tailgates and has to stop fast, the results can be devastating. Our firm has seen extreme cases where the passengers inside sedans get run over while in their seats by tractor-trailers.
  6. Drunk Driving or Prescription Drug Abuse.  When a commercial vehicle crash is caused by a drunk driver, the bar or restaurant that served the driver is held responsible for the crash along with the driver and others.
  7. Parking illegally.  Commercial-18 wheelers need to be properly parked. If a big rig is illegally parked and another vehicle runs into it, the result can be the death of a family member. We recently settled a case involving a trailer being parked in a snowmobile lane, which resulted in the death of a young man.

How Much Money Can I Get in a Truck Accident Settlement?

When a lawsuit involves severe, permanent injuries or wrongful death, a settlement can be in the millions. Pritzker Hageman attorneys won $10 million for a man who was burned, $5.1 million for a man who lost a leg, and $6 million for a family with a wrongful death claim.

What is My Case Worth

What your case is worth depends on a number of factors, some of which include:

  • the severity of your injuries
  • your occupation
  • your age
  • who can be sued
  • the amount of insurance money available
  • the state where a lawsuit is filed.

Types of Compensation

Personal injury compensation can include amounts for the following:

  • medical expenses
  • lost earnings
  • pain and suffering
  • emotional suffering
  • other damages.

What should I look for in a law firm, and how do I know if I have the right attorney for my case?

The right attorney has to have a long history of successful truck litigation, but equally as important is the law firm’s mission.  The law firm’s mission has to evolve around going the extra mile to take care of not only their clients, but also their clients spouses and families. You need to know that the person representing you cares about and respects your needs.

It is also critically important that your lawyer works for a law firm that has the resources to handle your case. These are expensive cases, and it takes a lot of manpower to build a winning case. Lawyers, forensic engineers, reconstruction specialists and others need to work together to uncover and analyze evidence.

If you hire any of the attorneys on our team, you will not have to pay us anything unless we win your case. This is called a contingency fee, and it is how most personal injury law firms do business.

Attorney Eric Hageman
Attorney Eric Hageman and his award winning truck accident legal team are ready to help

Meeting a deadline doesn’t justify risking a life. Negligent drivers and trucking companies that choose profits over safety endanger everyone on the road. Our experience with trucking lawsuits guides us in helping families pick up the pieces, and our resolve as lawyers has resulted in numerous multi-million-dollar settlements for our clients.

1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | [email protected]

We are not paid unless you win. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Eric Hageman Helps Clients Win Millions and Get Justice

“In many of these cases the strategy of the trucking company is to deny that its driver was at fault,” said attorney Eric Hageman. “Our attorneys recently won a case that illustrates this point. Our client suffered multiple fractured bones and a traumatic brain injury when his car was hit from behind by a semi-trailer.  As he lay in the hospital, the trucking company claimed that his wife, who had been driving the car, was at fault. We hired an accident reconstruction expert to produce a video showing what the evidence proved—that the semi driver was at fault. Once trucking company and insurance company representatives saw the video, we settled the case for $2.56 million.”

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

 •  How do I sue after being involved in a truck accident?

When you hire a lawyer, you share your story and then follow up by sending your attorney documents, including medical and insurance estimates.  The lawyer then works at getting other evidence about the collision (official crash reports, log books, black box data) until they have a strong case. After this the law firm works to get their client compensated for their injury or loss by first sending a demand letter to the company and if necessary taking the case to court.

 •  Can I sue on behalf of a member of my family who was injured?

Yes, under certain circumstances, you may be able to sue for a family member who was injured in an crash involving a tractor-trailer. These suits are often filed by families on behalf of clients who are not able to sue for themselves due to age (too young) or medical reasons.  Money obtained in a settlement or verdict could go into a trust for your family member. In addition, in some cases, a spouse, parent or child of an injured person can directly sue a driver or company. The emotional toll, loss of financial stability, and the cost of caring for an injured loved one are all just reasons for filing a lawsuit. We have handled many, many cases like this for spouses and parents of injured family members.

 •  What is a wrongful death lawsuit?

If your spouse, child, parent or other close family member tragically died in a crash caused by a commercial driver, your family will have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver and others. You will need to discuss your case with one of our lawyers to find out if you have a claim and what legal steps to take to get compensation.

 •  How are insurance companies involved?

In most cases, the insurance companies covering the driver of the big rig and businesses involved are involved in settlement negotiations and other aspects of litigation. Settlement money generally is paid by insurance companies.

 •  What if the crash was caused by a defective part?

If a defective part caused the crash, the manufacturer of that part can generally be sued. For example, if a braking component on a semi-trailer known as a modulator valve fails and the truck crashes into a car, killing the driver, the maker of that modulator valve can be sued for the wrongful death. In this way, the manufacturer is held accountable and similar accidents may be prevented.

 •  What about negotiating a settlement with a trucking company like FedEx?

Settlement negotiations start with a “demand letter” and continue until a client gets an acceptable payout. In some cases, a good settlement can be reached before a lawsuit is filed. Many cases are settled just hours before a trial was set to begin. In most cases, there are specific times when the lawyers from each side get together, along with a mediator, to see if a settlement can be reached. What we have found is that there is an initial denial of fault and refusal to settle for adequate compensation. A lawsuit is then filed and additional evidence is gathered to build a winning case.

Semi Truck Accident Topics

 •  Understanding the Value of Your Case

There are many factors that need to be considered to determine what your case is worth, including whether it is a personal injury or wrongful death claim, the injuries suffered and the physical pain associated with them, any loss of quality of life, your job and if you are able to keep it, the insurance limits of the driver and all companies legally responsible, your medical expenses, etc.

 •  Getting Help After Your Husband or Wife Was Killed

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. We are here to help you find out why the driver was driving illegally or carelessly and if the transportation company and others can also be held legally responsible.

 •  Filing A Lawsuit After Being Rear Ended?

Pritzker Hageman lawyers have won millions for clients whose cases involved a car or other vehicle being rear ended by a commercial vehicle. In one case, the husband had severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and multiple fractures. Our lawyers won over $2 million for him and his wife.

 •  Filing A Lawsuit After Being Hit By A Drunk Driver

You may have claims against the driver, his employer, a bar or restaurant, and others. If the driver was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant while obviously intoxicated, the bar or restaurant could be sued. This is called a dram shop claim.

Semi Truck Accident Injury News

  • 81-year-old Dennis Wendell of North Oaks, Minnesota, died in a semi-crash on I-94 in Wright County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal crash happened on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Silver Creek Township. A pick-up truck and a semi-tanker were heading west on I-94 when they collided near the Hasty exit. Sadly, Wendell died at the scene. The semi-driver, 60-year-old Wayne Lange of Spring Valley, was not injured.
  • Three people were injured in a crash between a semi-truck and a van near Janesville, Wisconsin. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the two vehicles collided at the intersection of Waseca Township County Road 33 and Highway 14 in Alton Township, Minnesota. At the time of the crash, the semi-truck had been traveling south on County Road 33 and the van was heading east on Highway 14. The van’s driver, 37-year-old Jeremy Raymond Max Alsdorf of North Mankato, and the semi-driver, 24-year-old Joseph Daniel Finken of Minnesota Lake, were transported to Mayo Clinic Mankato with non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in the van, 58-year-old Stan Robert McCarty of Owatonna, was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • A man died after he was struck and killed by a semi-truck in Fennimore, Wisconsin. Police say the pedestrian was crossing 12th Street at Lincoln Avenue when he was struck by a southbound semi turning onto 12 Street. Sadly, the man died from his injuries. An investigation is underway.
  • Two dentists were injured when a semi-truck crashed into a dental practice in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The crash happened when a semi-truck, operated by Bay & Bay Transportation, took the exit ramp from westbound I-694 to White Bear Avenue. Traveling at full speed, the truck then slammed into a plaza of I-694 and crashed into the office building of White Bear Dentists. Two dentists who were inside the building were transported to the hospital for treatment. The semi-driver was also injured. White bear Dentists issued a statement that the office will be closed for an indefinite amount of time.
  • Six people died and 18 others were injured when a semi-truck rear-ended a charter bus carrying students and chaperones on I-70 in Licking County, Ohio. The victims who died were identified as 18-year-old John Mosely, 18-year-old Jeffery Worrell, 15-year-old Katelyn Owens, 56-year-old Dave Kennat, 39-year-old Kristy Gaynor, and 45-year-old Shannon Wigfield. The teenagers were students on the bus and the adults were inside a passenger vehicle. The Pioneer Trails charter bus was carrying students, teachers, and parents from the Tuscarawas Valley High School Band to the Ohio School Board Association conference in Columbus, which has since been canceled. Dozens of first responders were dispatched to the scene. Eighteen people were transported to seven hospitals, including the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Mount Carmel East, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Among those injured include 14 students, the bus driver, two commercial vehicle drivers, and the driver of a second passenger vehicle. The Ohio State High Patrol (OSHP) crisis assistance team has been offering counseling and support to Tusky Valley High School. The NTSB is conducting a safety investigation.
  • A semi-crash in West Bend, Iowa, killed 29-year-old Taylor Lee Chance of Burt. Taylor was driving a concrete mixer truck east on 110th Street when a semi-truck traveling south on Birch Avenue failed to yield and struck Taylor’s vehicle. Sadly, Taylor died at the scene. The semi-driver, 27-year-old Shane Edward Stanton of Philadelphia, MS, was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospital with injuries.
  • A 28-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man died in a wrong-way crash with a box truck in Chester, Wisconsin. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says the box truck was traveling in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes of Highway 151 near Highway 49 when it struck a Kia passenger car head-on. The impact of the crash caused a third vehicle to strike the Kia. Sadly, the 25-year-old man who was driving the Kia and a 28-year-old woman who was a passenger both died at the scene. Two other passengers were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Three people riding in the third vehicle were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • A recent surge of deadly semi-crashes on westbound I-94 has raised significant safety concerns in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including a semi rear-ending traffic in a western Wisconsin construction zone and a crash caused by tires flying off a semi near St. Michael, Minnesota.
  • Oregon couple Christian and Michelle Deaton died in a truck crash while riding their bikes on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley California. Investigators say the tragic crash happened when the truck attempted to pass the Deatons at a speed of around 40 miles per hour. The truck’s load shifted, fell off the vehicle, and struck the Deatons. Sadly, Christian died at the scene. Michelle was transported to a hospital where she later died. According to the California Highway Patrol, the truck, which was hauling lumber, is owned by Central Valley Builders Suppliers. The Deatons, who were both employees of Nike, were visiting from Portland. The Napa County Bicycle Coalition released a statement that said, “This enormous, preventable loss is sitting heavy in our hearts and minds, as we know it is for those who ride locally and work toward safer streets.”
  • 78-year-old Paul Larson died when a flatbed truck struck the vehicle he was riding in near Duluth, Minnesota. The fatal crash happened on Friday, September 29, 2023, when a minivan, driven by 42-year-old Jason Larson, attempted a U-turn on Martin Road when it was struck by the truck. Sadly, Paul died at the scene. Jason was transported to Essentia Health with serious injuries. The truck driver was not injured. The accident is under investigation.
  • 76-year-old Gregory Plecha of Arkdale, Wisconsin, died in a tragic semi-crash on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Authorities say the fatal crash happened when a semi-truck failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway C in Big Flats. The semi struck two vehicles, sending their drivers and Plecha, who was a passenger, to the hospital. Sadly, Plecha later died from his injuries.
  • An Iowa couple died in a multi-vehicle semi-crash on I-35 near Faribault, Minnesota. The couple has been identified as 57-year-old Matthew Hansen and 56-year-old Cimberly Hansen, both of Urbandale, Iowa. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the Hansens were headed northbound on I-35E when their Toyota Camry was involved in a collision with a Volvo Semi and a Chevy Silverado at mile marker 53. Sadly, the Hansens died at the scene. The semi-driver, 54-year-old Billie Grimes of Lancing, Tennessee, was not injured in the crash. The Chevy driver, 34-year-old Shaun Lyngaas of Albert Lea, also avoided injury. This is the second crash to occur at the same stretch of the highway this month. On Sunday, August 20, 2023, six vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction semi-crash that injured five people.         
  • A 70-year-old man died when a semi-truck blew a tire in South Dakota. The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the fatal semi-crash happened on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, in Lyman County, about six miles west of Reliance. After the semi blew a tire, a Toyota Highlander crashed into its trailer. Sadly, the driver of the Toyota died at the scene. The semi-driver was not injured.
  • 74-year-old Joseph Spors of Bellingham, Minnesota, died in a semi crash at the intersection of County Road 7 and County Road 30 in Walter Township. According to the Lac qui Parle County Sheriff’s Office, the fatal crash happened when a semi-truck heading west on County Road 30 collided with Spors, who was traveling south on County Road 7. Sadly, Spors died at the scene. The semi-driver, 66-year-old Eugene Wrobleski of Benson, was transported to Ortonville Hospital.
  • 40-year-old Cristina Restrepo of Plymouth, Minnesota, died when a box truck caused a chain-reaction crash on Highway 169 South, just north of Highway 55. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal crash happened around 5:15 PM on Sunday, July 30, 2023. As traffic slowed for an earlier crash ahead, a box truck slammed into the back of a Nissan Altima. The collision caused a chain reaction crash, which pushed the Nissan into the back of an SUV. Cristina was taken to North Memorial Hospital where sadly, she later died. The SUV driver, 31-year-old Robert Maul of Minneapolis, and his 13-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Potential charges against the box truck driver, 40-year-old Pheng Yang of Brooklyn Park, are pending.
  • 65-year-old Daniel Schubert of Elizabeth, Minnesota, died when a semi-truck collided with his motorcycle on Highway 59 in Fergus Falls. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The semi, driven by 43-year-old Frank Larson, was heading south on Highway 59 when it collided with Schubert’s motorcycle, which was headed north. Sadly, Schubert died at the scene. Larson was not injured.
  • 35-year-old David Egan was struck by a box truck while riding a scooter on Highway 61 in Red Wing, Minnesota. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened on Monday, July 17, 2023, shortly before 7:00 AM. Egan was driving in the northbound lane of traffic on Highway 61 near Bench Street when a box truck collided with his scooter. Egan suffered critical injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. The truck driver, 31-year-old See Vang of St. Paul, was not injured.
  • 50-year-old Chad Lentz died in a crash with a semi-truck on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Iowa. First responders arrived on the scene shortly before 8:30 AM on Friday, June 9, 2023. Witnesses reported that a northbound semi swerved over the median after hitting the curb and struck Chad’s car head-on. Sadly, Chad died at the scene. The semi-driver is in critical condition at a local hospital.
  • 69-year-old Michael Remus was struck and killed by a concrete mixing truck in Dallas Center, Iowa on Monday, May 22, 2023. The Iowa State Patrol says the fatal crash happened when the concrete mixer rear-ended Michael’s pick-up, which had slowed for turning traffic on Highway 44. Sadly, Michael died at the scene. A passenger in his vehicle, 65-year-old Julie Remus, was injured in the crash and transported to a local hospital. The driver of the cement truck was not injured.
  • Three people were rushed to the hospital after a semi-truck rear-ended multiple vehicles near Rochester, Minnesota on Friday, April 21, 2023. The Minnesota State Patrol says a semi-truck crashed into a Honda Odyssey, GMC Acadia, and Jeep Wrangler that were stopped at a red light near a construction zone on eastbound Highway 14 near 10th Avenue in Olmsted County. Three people were injured and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital Rochester. 35-year-old Terri Sheilaufkin of Byron, who was driving the Honda, suffered critical injuries. The GMC driver, 49-year-old Pamela Neville, and her passenger, 68-year-old Dallas Neville, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The Jeep’s driver escaped injury.
  • A 53-year-old woman was injured by a semi-truck while riding her bicycle near Bristol, Wisconsin, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department says the semi-crash happened near County Highway K and County Highway MB. The cyclist was transported to a local hospital.
  • 36-year-old Jozy Virden Olson of Rochester, Minnesota, was injured when his pick-up truck was struck by a semi at the intersection of Highway 10 and 45th Avenue SE in Haven Township. Olson was headed west on Highway 10 when a semi, driven by 38-year-old Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, attempted to cross the intersection and collided with Olson’s vehicle. The Sherburn County Sheriff’s Office says Olson was transported to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Eagan Officer Kade Eggum is in critical condition after his squad car was struck by a semi-truck while responding to an emergency call on I-35E. Officer Eggum was attempting to make a U-turn through the median crossover at Yankee Doodle Road when the semi struck his vehicle. Officer Eggum was rushed to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The crash is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.
  • 72-year-old Marsha Frankel was struck and killed by a FedEx truck while crossing a Chicago crosswalk using her walker. Police say the crash happened in the South Loop while the FedEx box truck attempted to turn north onto Wabash at the 1100 block of South Wabash. Frankel was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition where sadly, she died. An investigation is ongoing.
  • A Wisconsin pick-up driver was seriously injured in a semi-crash near Prairie du Sac on Friday, February 3, 2023. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office says the semi-crash happened at the intersection of US 12 and Sauk Prairie Road. The pick-up driver had slowed down for the intersection when the semi-truck tried to drive around it when the two vehicles collided. The pick-up driver was airlifted to UW Hospital. The semi-driver was not injured.
  • 46-year-old Matthew John Tichy was injured in a crash with a semi-truck that failed to yield for a left turn near Park Rapids, Minnesota. The semi-tractor trailer, driven by 53-year-old Juan Pablo Lopez-Rodriguez, failed to yield while attempting a left turn onto Highway 71 from a business access. Tichy was taken to Sanford Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi-driver was not injured.
  • The NTSB is investigating a crash between a party bus and a semi-truck near Williamsburg, Virginia where three people lost their lives. The Virginia State Police says the crash happened at about 1:30 AM on Friday, December 16, 2022. Both vehicles were traveling in the eastbound lane of I-64 when the party bus merged into the truck’s path, causing a collision. Twenty-three people were on board the bus. Tragically, 19-year-old Montia Bouie, 25-year-old Xavier Raquan Evans, and 21-year-old Johntae Kaalib Russel died. The bus driver, the truck driver, and 20 other passengers were taken to local hospitals. Police say that alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the crash and “charges are pending.”
  • 71-year-old Cecelia Marlene Smith of Cass Lake, MN died in a head-on collision with a semi-truck on Monday, October 7, 2022. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened on Highway 64 near 28th Street Southwest in Ansel Township. Smith was headed north and the semi was traveling south when the two vehicles collided. The semi-driver, Nasim Sharapov (30) of Omaha, NE, was not injured.
  • 52-year-old Mark Hagen of Chaska, MN lost his life when truck driver Jeffery Pike of New Germany, MN ran a red light. After Mark’s motorcycle hit his semi-truck Jeffery Pike failed to stop and left the scene. Pike’s truck was later found to have been overloaded and on the road with faulty, poorly repaired, and non-working breaks. Pike has been charged with multiple criminal counts in this case.
  • 24-year-old Ana Lorenzo of Fairmont, MN was injured in a semi-crash on Highway 60 near Lake Crystal. The crash happened on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the intersection of Highway 60 and 499th Avenue. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a tanker truck was heading south on 499th Avenue when it collided with an eastbound SUV on Highway 60. Lorenzo was a passenger in the SUV. She was transported to St. Mary’s in Rochester with injuries. Neither the car’s driver, Ciprian Gaspar (28) of Fairmont, nor the semi-driver, Don Nierman (57) of Madelia, were injured in the crash.
  • A semi-crash on Highway 17 near Granger, Iowa killed one person and injured two others on Monday, October 10, 2022. The Iowa State Patrol says a northbound tractor-trailer failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning onto Broadway Street, causing a collision with a passenger car. A 75-year-old passenger in the car, Larry Adams of Boone, died at the scene. The car’s driver was taken to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. Another passenger was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. The semi-truck driver was not injured. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, traffic crashes have caused 264 deaths in 2022.
  • A 72-year-old man died in a semi-truck crash near Glencoe, MN on Monday, October 3, 2022. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened on Highway 212 at Hamlet Avenue. Vogt heading west on Highway 212 when a semi-truck crossed into his lane and tipped over, causing a crash with Vogt’s pick-up truck. Sadly, Vogt died at the scene. The semi-driver, Timothy L. Millhouse (53), was not injured. Vogt was a member of the Glencoe Fire Department from 1978-1998, where he served as its chief for eight years. The department said in a statement, “Gary will always be remembered for his kind heart and humorous personality.”
  • 25-year-old Levi Hayden of Mondovi, WI suffered life-threatening injuries when his pick-up was struck by a USPS truck in the Town of Waubeek. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened on Thursday, September 29, 2022, on Highway 25 near Ingram Road. The commercial truck, which was hauling U.S. Postal Service mail, crossed the center line and struck the pick-up head-on. The pick-up truck driven by Hayden, caught on fire. A passerby pulled Hayden from the truck, which officers say saved his life. Hayden was transported to the Mayo Clinic with life-threatening injuries. The USPS truck driver, Eric Rubenzer (35) of Chippewa Falls, was taken to a hospital in Eau Claire with serious injuries.
  • Two people were injured in a semi-crash in Zumbrota, MN on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The Minnesota State Patrol says an SUV and a semi-truck were traveling north on Highway 52 near 490th Street when they collided. Two people inside the SUV, Francis Koshenina (70) and Karen Koshenina (71) were transported to St. Marys with injuries. The semi-driver, Jason Spaeth (54), was not injured in the crash.
  • Updated 9/30/22. Eleven Chase County Schools students were injured when their school bus collided with a semi-truck on September 27. The crash happened on Nebraska Highway 15A when the school bus was taking children ages 6 to 15 home from school. According to the Chase County Sheriff’s Office, the bus attempted a left turn when it collided with a semi-truck hauling a grain trailer. The semi then struck the passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll over onto the driver’s side. All 11 students were taken to Chase County Community Hospital. Three students suffered serious injuries and were transferred to regional trauma centers. One grandmother told local news that her grandchild suffered back injuries and memory loss. The bus driver, Keith Cranwell (39) of Champion, and the semi-driver, Chance Lotspeich (20) of Venango, were also injured in the crash. The school bus driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way and careless driving. An investigation is underway.
  • The Chase County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened on Spur 15 Highway between Champion and Imperial. The impact of the crash caused the school bus to roll over onto its side. At least 11 children were on the bus at the time of the crash. Three children were airlifted to regional trauma centers with serious injuries. One grandmother told local news reports that her grandchild is hospitalized at Chase County Hospital with back injuries and memory loss.
  • 35-year-old Ross Allen Arm from Harris, MN was injured in a semi-crash when a Freightliner semi-truck collided with his van at the intersection of Highway 95 and Benton County Road 7. The Minnesota State Patrol says the semi-truck crash happened at about 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, near Foley. The semi-truck was heading south on County Road 7 when it collided with Warm’s van, which was traveling east on Highway 95. Warm was transported to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi-driver, Alex James Johnson of Becker, was not injured.
  • 31-year-old Marion Juarez-Argueta was struck and killed by a semi-truck while walking as a pedestrian in Indianapolis on Monday, September 19, 2022. Police say the semi-crash happened at the intersection of Lafayette Road and Commercial Drive. Sadly, Juarez-Argueta died at the scene. The semi-truck driver remained on the scene and was taken to a hospital for a blood draw, which is required by law in the state of Indiana for fatal crashes.
  • A fiery semi-crash in Sedona killed four people on Sunday, September 18, 2022. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) identified the victims as Athish Nagarajan (24), Dhinesh Nagarajan (23), Gnanappan Nagarajan (53), and Vijaya Lakshmi-Gopal (45). Gnanappan and Vijaya were visiting Arizona from India at the time of the crash. The semi-driver told DPS that his brakes failed and he was unable to stop when he exited Interstate 17. The semi-truck then drove through a stop sign and collided with a passenger car, sending both vehicles down an embankment. The semi-truck landed on top of the car, causing it to burst into flames. All four people in the car died in the truck crash.
  • An Iowa man died when the farm tractor he was driving was struck by a semi-truck on Highway 60 near Ashton. The Iowa State Patrol says that a semi-truck carrying an oversize load rear-ended the farm tractor on northbound Highway 60. Sadly, the tractor driver, George Klein (84) of Sheldon, died in the crash. The semi-driver, Tyler Fisk (22) of Holcombe, WI, was not injured.
  • One person died and another was injured in a chain-reaction crash caused by a commercial truck on I-94 in Rogers, MN on Monday, August 22, 2022. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened when a box truck crashed into stopped traffic in the westbound lane near Highway 101. The impact of the crash damaged seven cars and trucks. 42-year-old Miguel Perez, who was driving the box truck, died in the crash. His 19-year-old passenger, Gabriel Lara of Monticello, suffered life-threatening injuries. Lara is being treated at North Memorial Hospital. No other injuries have been reported.
  • One person died in a crash with a semi-truck on I-39/90/94 on Sunday, August 21, 2022. The Wisconsin State Patrol says the crash happened when a semi traveling northbound on I-90 failed to slow down for traffic and rear-ended a sedan. The semi then flipped over the median and landed in the middle of the southbound lanes of I-39. Sadly, the driver of the sedan, a 59-year-old from Elkhorn, died at the scene. The 35-year-old semi-driver suffered minor injuries in the crash.
  • A 20-year-old man was injured in a fiery semi-crash in North Dakota on Monday, August 15, 2022. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened when a semi-truck struck and pick-up at the intersection of County Road 16 and County Road 15 in Davenport. The impact of the crash caused the pick-up truck to catch on fire. Fortunately, the pick-up driver was able to exit his vehicle before the fire started. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the crash. The semi-driver was cited after the crash.
  • 8-month-old Martin Stechner III died when a semi-truck crashed into a house on 5833 Green Valley Road in Vinland, WI. The tragic crash happened when a semi-truck veered off Interstate 41, hit a fence, crossed a nearby frontage road, and crashed into the house. The driver of the semi-truck is a 63-year-old man from Little Chute. Investigators including deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office were on the scene for more than 10 hours. The crash report says the semi-driver fainted due to a medical condition before the crash. A full investigation and crash reconstruction are ongoing. A local non-profit set up a fundraiser to help support the Stechner family.
  • A 66-year-old man from Tioga, ND died in a semi crash after a semi-truck failed to yield at an intersection in Williams County.
  • A semi-truck caused a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 169 in Jordan, MN that injured three people. The semi-crash happened on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the intersection of Highway 169 and Highway 282. The Minnesota State Patrol says a northbound Freightliner semi-truck, driven by Jared Jamal Washington (32), crashed into the back of several vehicles that were stopped for a red light on Highway 169. 30-year-old Anna Biedenbender of St. Paul suffered life-threatening injuries in the semi-crash. Biedenbender, a local artist, was taken to HCMC.
  • Three family members died when their SUV was rear-ended by a semi-truck in a construction zone on I-94 in Moorhead, MN. The tragic semi-crash happened on Friday, July 15, 2022, when an SUV was stopped in a construction zone behind a semi-truck. A second semi-truck, driven by Maxim Rubin (40) for Penner International, failed to stop and struck the SUV, causing it to crash into the rear of the first semi. Sadly, all three people in the SUV died including Robert C. Correll (65) of Ham Lake, Linda M. Correll (65) of Ham Lake, and Shirley A. Gatkze (89) of Blaine. Robert and Linda were married and Shirley was Linda’s mother.
  • [Updated] 52-year-old Mark Richard Hagen died when his motorcycle was struck by a semi-truck in Chaska, MN on Thursday, July 14, 2022. The fatal semi-crash happened on Engler Boulevard near Clover Ridge Drive. Trucker Jeffrey W. Pike (46) of New Germany was driving an overloaded big rig with faulty brakes when he ran a red light and struck Hagen’s bike. Police say the truck was gone by the time they arrived at the scene. Hagen was transported to HCMC where sadly, his death was confirmed. Pike was charged on Monday, October 31, with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and failure to obey a traffic signal. At the time of the crash, he was hauling a load that was 2,000 pounds over the amount allowed. Investigators found multiple violations that would have been serious enough to render his vehicle “out of service.” He has received three prior citations in June 2019, August 2019, and October 2021, for inoperable or defective brakes.
  • A woman from South Dakota died in a semi-truck crash that injured her husband on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Sharon B. Berglund (56) was a passenger in an SUV driven by Daniel S. Berglund (62) when a semi collided with their vehicle at the intersection of Minnesota Highway 40 and County Road 7 in St. Johns Township. Sadly, Sharon died from her injuries. Daniel was transported to CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. The semi-driver, Korey W. Cox (40) of Alabama, was not injured in the crash.
  • A semi-crash in Plymouth County, Iowa left three people injured on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened when a semi-truck pulled out in front of a Jeep after stopping at a stop sign on K-12. All three people in the Jeep were injured. Police say the semi-driver will be cited.
  • 22-year-old Hunter Robertson of Glenville, MN died in a crash after a semi-truck blew a tire on I-35 in Freeman Township. The Minnesota State Patrol says the semi-truck, which was hauling well drilling equipment, lost control after one of its tires blew out on southbound I-35. The semi then crossed the median and struck a northbound pick-up truck. Sadly, the driver of the pick-up truck died at the scene. The semi-driver, Scott Kirton (45) of Hammond, WI, suffered minor injuries.
  • 53-year-old Jean-Pierre “JP” Petit was struck and killed by a semi-truck in North Dakota while riding his bicycle to raise money for his granddaughter’s kidney transplant. Petit was riding along the solid white line on the right shoulder of southbound I-29 when a cargo truck hit him. The South Dakota Highway Patrol says charges are pending against semi-driver Mark Akkerman (65). Petit, an ultra-marathoner, was in the middle of a 13-day bicycle trip to raise money for his three-year-old granddaughter battling kidney disease
  • Two semi-drivers died after a fiery crash on Highway 11 in Racine County. Authorities say the crash happened when a flatbed semi crossed the centerline and hit another semi pulling a dry bulk tanker. The impact of the crash caused the first semi to set on fire and the second to roll-over.  
  • 51-year-old Karen Lynn Weldon from Coon Rapids, MN died after her SUV was struck by a semi truck on Highway 65 in Blaine on Monday, June 6, 2022. The crash happened when a semi truck, driven by Andrew Engren of East Bethel, MN, ran a red light at the 109th intersection near the Blaine Central Ave. Target store. Sadly, Karen Weldon died at the scene. Initial reports indicate the truck driver may have been working for LePage and Sons Freight & Logistics Services of Bethel, MN at the time of the crash.
  • Two teens and a young adult died after a semi-truck crashed into a car at the intersection of Hammond Avenue and East Shaulis Road near the Lost Island Water Park in Waterloo, IA. Brayden Proctor (16), Tricia Randall (19), and Devon Dirkes (21) died in the crash.
  • A semi-truck struck an SUV at the intersection of Highway 63 and State Route 17 in West Plains, MO on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The impact of the crash caused the semi to overturn onto a car traveling in the other lane of Highway 63. Three people in the car died and a fourth is in critical condition at a Springfield hospital. Two people in the SUV were taken to Ozarks Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • A semi crash in Eyota, MN killed a motorcyclist and injured his passenger on Thursday, May 12, 2022. The semi-truck collided with the motorcycle on Highway 42 between 2nd Street Southwest and 19th Street Southeast. Lori Ann Jean Danielson (48) was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle when she was injured in the crash. She was taken to St. Marys with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured.
  • Eli R. DeChamps (21) was injured when a cargo truck rear-ended him in a Wisconsin construction zone. The crash happened on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Highway 14 and Cut-Across Road near Westby. DeChamps was stopped in traffic when a 40-foot cargo truck slammed into the back of his vehicle. The truck driver, Kennedy Nyangena (45), failed to slow down for stopped traffic. DeChamps was taken to Vernon Memorial Hospital. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office released a statement warning the public of the dangers of driving while fatigued and using electronic devices.
  • A driver died in a fiery semi-crash in Iowa on Friday, May 6, 2022. The fatal crash happened when a Freightliner semi collided with a Peterbilt semi after failing to yield at the intersection of 70th Avenue and 160th Street near Algona. Sadly the driver of the Peterbilt semi, Alan Schuler (48), died in the crash. The Freightliner driver, Chad Bjork (49), was taken to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center with serious injuries.
  • One person died in a head-on crash with a semi-truck on Highway 14 in Spring Green, Wisc. The fatal crash happened on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, shortly before 8 a.m. when a semi crossed the centerline. Highway 14 was closed for several hours while the Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash.
  • A semi-truck struck and killed 27-year-old Wayne Barnes as he was walking from his vehicle that broke down on I-95 in Hopkinton, R.I. The fatal crash happened around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2022, on I-95 southbound between exits 2 and 3. Sadly, Barnes died at the scene. Police say the tractor-trailer driver is not facing charges.
  • Two people were critically injured after a semi-truck crash in northeast Minneapolis. Police say an Audi was trapped underneath a semi-tractor trailer in a truck yard off Northeast 27th Avenue and Northeast 2nd Street. The car’s driver was able to get out on his own, but three other people needed to be extricated through the trunk.
  • A delivery truck struck and killed a man in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Locals say the man was known for picking up litter in the area where he was struck.
  • Three people died in a semi-truck crash in western Wisconsin. Leonard R. Hopinka (34), Tyler E. Decorah (36), and Jorden L. Vidana (35) died at the scene when their vehicle collided with a semi-truck attempting to enter a Kwik Trip parking lot on Hwy 54 near Black River Falls.
  • Arlys Hendrickson (83) died after crashing into a semi-truck that was blocking both lanes of traffic on W 34th St. in Alexandria, MN.
  • A Minnesota crash on I-94 involving an 18-wheeler box truck tragically killed one and injured others. The truck crossed the median hit a pickup head-on and then broadsided a car.
  • Two semi-truck drivers were injured in a crash on I-94 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. A semi hit another truck that was parked on the shoulder of I-94 at exit 115.
  • A semitrailer crashed into several vehicles that were stopped or preparing to stop for a red light on Michigan 53 in Macomb County. Three people suffered critical injuries.
  • Pinned by a Semi-Truck in Hudson, WI: A 37-year-old man from Menomonie, Wisconsin, suffered life-threatening injuries in a frightful freeway crash reportedly caused by a semitrailer that moved abruptly into his lane and slammed his car against the cement median barrier on Interstate 94 in Hudson, Wisconsin.
  • Landon Peatross, 41, of Duchesne, was tragically killed and a woman critically injured after being rear-ended by a semi-truck after midnight on U.S. 40 in Park City, Utah
  • Three people were killed in a head-on collision involving 3 big rigs on Highway 287 in Colorado, near Campo, at about 2:30 a.m. on May 24, 2017. The first semitractor was traveling southbound when it moved into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor-flatbed combination. A third tractor-trailer that was traveling northbound went off of the road and hit a fence.
  • Two workers on an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) mowing crew were injured when a semi-truck crashed into an INDOT pickup that then hit an INDOT tractor. Injured in the crash were a 22-year-old man from Dillsboro who was driving the tractor and a 34-year-old man from Versailles who was driving the pickup. According to the state patrol, the driver of the big rig did not slow down or move to the other lane to take evasive action.
  • A man from Roseau, Minnesota died when his van crashed into a semi on Monday, May 22, 2017. He was driving a Dodge Caravan eastbound on Highway 11 when he crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound Kenworth semitrailer, injuring the driver.
  • On May 22, two semi-tractors and a passenger vehicle crashed on Interstate 10 west of Tucson. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a driver of a westbound commercial rig lost control when a tire failed. The semitrailer rolled as it hit the dirt median and slid into the eastbound lanes. It hit another a tanker head-on, and a fire erupted. The driver of the tanker suffered severe head injuries and was transported to the hospital via medical helicopter. Two people in the passenger vehicle were also injured. They were transported by ambulance.
  • A semi driver involved in a crash on March 4 has been cited for driving too fast for the conditions. Four people were injured, including Angela Pearson, the driver of a Toyota Corolla, and four of her passengers, who were seriously injured, two with life-threatening injuries.  Ms. Pearson and the passengers were taken to the hospital, two of them to a regional trauma center. The crash happened on I-20 at mile marker 21, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
  • A collision involving a minivan and a tractor-trailer rig resulted in the death of Corrina Brown, a 16-year-old girl. She was a passenger in the minivan. The driver and another passenger in that vehicle were seriously injured. The crash happened on March 3 in the evening.

Proven Results:

We have obtained 75+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:

$6 Million

Our client was a 26 year-old female passenger whose right leg was traumatically amputated when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver.

$5.1 Million

motorcyclist suffered an amputation injury when an unqualified and overtired delivery truck driver collided with him.

$3.5 Million

Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck accident.

$3 Million

Two young men died in a collision involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck.

$2.85 Million

A man was killed when his vehicle was struck by debris from a garbage truck. The man was survived by his wife, two minor children and two adult children.

$2.75 Million

A 59 year-old truck driver suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the loss of his left eye when the tow chain being used to pull the man’s semi tractor-trailer out of a ditch broke loose from a front-end loader.