Truck Accident Lawyer Eagan, MN
If you've been injured in a collision with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or commercial vehicle near Eagan, you're likely dealing with serious injuries, time off work, mounting medical costs, and insurance adjusters who aren't on your side. These crashes are different from ordinary car accidents, and the legal process that follows is different too.
At Johnston | Martineau PLLP, our Eagan, MN truck accident lawyer has built the firm's reputation on exactly this kind of litigation. Both founding partners focus their practice on commercial truck accident cases throughout Minnesota. We understand what it takes to hold trucking companies, drivers, and their insurers accountable. If you've been hurt, we're here to help you figure out your next steps. Call or message us at any time to set up your free consultation.
Why Choose Johnston | Martineau PLLP For Truck Accidents In Eagan, MN?
Attorneys Who Focus on Truck Accident Litigation
Christopher A. Johnston has established himself as a recognized name in civil litigation in Minnesota, with a particular focus on cases involving semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and commercial vehicles. As a truck accident lawyer in Eagan, MN, he is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Iowa, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and the Federal Court – District of Minnesota. He is a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.
Christopher P. Martineau is a founding partner whose practice centers on truck accident cases, wrongful death claims, and serious motor vehicle crashes. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Association for Justice, and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is admitted in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.S. District Court – District of Minnesota.
A Track Record of Results for Injured Clients
Johnston | Martineau has helped injured clients recover millions of dollars in compensation. Christopher Johnston earned placement in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum after securing a settlement of one million dollars for a single client — a distinction reserved for trial lawyers who have achieved verdicts or settlements of one million dollars or more.
Chris Johnston has also been named a Super Lawyers selection five times, received the Rising Star designation in 2011, was recognized among Minnesota's Outstanding Young Lawyers in 2011, and was named Up and Coming Attorney of the Year in 2007.
No Fees Unless We Win
We handle truck accident cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from a recovery we obtain for you. If we don't win, you owe us nothing.
What Our Clients Say
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"These guys made it stress free for me. They handled everything for me and did an amazing job. They were able to answer any and all questions I had throughout this process. I would highly recommend this group to anyone. Very professional and put the client first and stay in constant communication throughout. Easily the best group of attorneys I have dealt with and they know what they are doing. You don't need to look anywhere but here." — Nate Monte
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle In Eagan
Truck accident cases aren't all the same. The type of vehicle, the cause of the crash, and who is legally responsible can all shift dramatically depending on the facts. We handle a wide range of commercial truck collision matters throughout Eagan and the surrounding Twin Cities metro.
- Semi-truck accidents. Crashes involving semi-trucks often result in catastrophic injuries. We investigate driver conduct, federal hours-of-service compliance, and carrier liability. These cases frequently involve multiple liable parties, so having an experienced attorney to investigate can make a huge difference in your case.
- 18-wheeler accidents. The sheer size of a fully loaded 18-wheeler means even a low-speed impact can be devastating. We pursue full compensation for victims of these serious collisions.
- Tractor-trailer accidents. We handle tractor-trailer claims involving cargo issues, improper loading, and brake failures that lead to crashes.
- Commercial truck accidents. This includes delivery trucks, box trucks, and other large commercial vehicles operating in and around Eagan. Employer liability and negligent hiring are often relevant.
- Fatal truck accidents. When a collision takes a life, the surviving family may have a wrongful death claim. We handle these cases with the seriousness they deserve.
- Logging and fuel truck accidents. Specialized commercial vehicles carry unique risks. Fuel truck accidents can involve hazardous materials, while logging trucks present load securement and stability issues.
- Jackknife accidents. When a truck's trailer swings outward and folds against the cab, it can sweep across multiple lanes in seconds. These crashes often involve brake failure or driver overcorrection, and liability frequently extends beyond the driver to the carrier.
- Highway accidents. High-speed collisions on interstates and state highways near Eagan produce some of the most severe injuries we see. Speed, weight, and limited reaction time make highway truck accidents especially destructive.
- Delivery truck accidents. Box trucks, cargo vans, and large delivery vehicles operate on tight schedules and dense local routes. When a delivery driver causes a crash, the employing company may share liability under respondeat superior.
- Oversize load accidents. Trucks hauling oversize or overweight loads are required to follow strict permitting and routing rules under Minnesota's weight and load regulations. When carriers skip permits, exceed load limits, or fail to use required escort vehicles, they create serious hazards for everyone on the road. These crashes can involve construction equipment, industrial machinery, or other oversized cargo that shifts, falls, or causes a rollover.
Minnesota Legal Requirements For Truck Accident Cases
Minnesota law shapes every aspect of a truck accident claim, from how long you have to file to how fault is allocated between parties.
Statute of Limitations. Under Minn. Stat. § 541.05, most personal injury claims must be filed within six years of the injury date. However, if the case involves wrongful death, different deadlines may apply under Minn. Stat. § 573.02. Waiting too long can mean losing your right to recover anything.
Comparative Fault. Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule under Minn. Stat. § 604.01. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover — but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% responsible, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters use this rule aggressively.
Federal Trucking Regulations. Commercial trucks operating in Minnesota are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, including hours-of-service rules, weight limits, and mandatory inspection requirements. Violations of these rules can be strong evidence of negligence. Minnesota also enforces its own post-crash inspection law under Minn. Stat. § 169.783.
No-Fault Insurance. Minnesota is a no-fault state under Minn. Stat. § 65B.44, meaning your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays first, regardless of fault. In serious truck accident cases, those limits are quickly exhausted, which is when pursuing the at-fault party's commercial insurance becomes essential.
What Damages Are Recoverable In Eagan Truck Accident Cases?
The injuries in commercial truck crashes tend to be severe. Spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal injuries — these carry real costs, both financial and personal. Minnesota law allows injured victims to pursue several categories of compensation.
Economic damages are the losses you can put a number on. Medical bills from the ER, surgery, physical therapy, follow-up care. Lost income while you couldn't work. If your injuries affect your ability to earn long-term, that future loss is recoverable too. Property damage, out-of-pocket costs, expenses you wouldn't have had if the crash never happened. These are calculated using your actual records, bills, and where needed, testimony from medical or vocational specialists about what lies ahead.
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify but just as real. The pain you live with daily. The anxiety that comes with getting back in a vehicle. Activities you used to do that you can't anymore. The strain a serious injury puts on a marriage. Minnesota doesn't cap these damages in most personal injury cases, so there's no arbitrary limit on what a jury can award when the harm is severe.
Punitive damages come into play when a defendant's conduct goes beyond carelessness. Under Minn. Stat. § 549.20, a court can award punitive damages when there's clear and convincing evidence that someone acted with deliberate disregard for others' safety. In truck accident cases, that bar can be met when a carrier kept a driver on the road despite known hours-of-service violations, or ignored documented maintenance failures that made a crash foreseeable.
Contact Johnston | Martineau PLLP
If you or someone in your family was injured in a truck accident in Eagan, MN, you deserve to know where you stand. We offer free consultations, and there are no fees unless we recover for you.Contact us to schedule your free consultation. We respond promptly and will take the time to understand what happened and what options you have.