Last Thursday, in Hugo, a semi truck rear ended a minivan killing 2 of the 3 occupants. Carolyn Anderson, 59, stopped to make a left turn at 159th Street when her van was hit by the semi truck driven by Seth Strehler, 32, of Rockford, Minnesota. Carolyn died at the scene. Her 88-year-old aunt, Rose Bongiovanni, of St. Paul, was taken to Regions Hospital, where she later died. Minnesota State Patrol said that with all of the new development in the area cross traffic has increased. It is vital for drivers to be alert and slow down.

Saturday, in Carver County, a three-vehicle fatal accident took the lives of two people and injured four others, including 3 children. Two of the three drivers died in the chain reaction semi truck crash, Sandra Babatz, 45, of Norwood Young America, and Juan Overa, 35 of Sullivan, Texas.

Semi truck driver Gordon Curtiss, 52, of Hutchinson, was traveling east on Highway 212 in a 2007 Kenworth semi truck. Sandra Babatz was also going east driving a 2003 Pontiac Vibe. Highway 212 is just two lanes at that point, Babatz stopped on the highway to make a left turn off the highway, onto CR 51 going north. Babatz was rear ended by Curtiss and pushed into the other lane of traffic. She was broadsided by a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Olvera.

Both of these accidents highlight the need for more attentiveness to driving, especially on two-lane highways. If either of these accidents happened because of negligence on the part of the semi truck driver, a trustee can be named by the courts and wrongful death claims can be filed.

Acts of negligence:

• driver negligence which includes texting while driving, dialing cellphone, eating, driving while tired
• equipment violations
• negligent hiring which means a trucking company may have hired an unqualified driver
• over hours

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is when a person is killed as the result of a negligent act by another. In Minnesota, wrongful death claims are brought by a trustee. A trustee is court appointed, usually a family member who was close to the decedent. They are appointed to represent the interests of the heirs.

The heirs may be entitled to damages. Wrongful death damages may include compensation for:

• loss of wages
• loss of companionship
• funeral and burial expenses
• medical expenses

In some wrongful death cases, punitive damages may be recovered. To recover punitive damages one must prove that the negligent party acted with reckless disregard for the safety and rights of others.

Minnesota Wrongful Death Attorney

At the time of the accident, you lost a loved one and your world crumbled and changed forever. You need someone to help carry the load. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, and Rich Ruohonen will do that for you. We will help you maneuver the legal system, do all of the paperwork, research and access all of the insurance policies available, and file your claim. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.