Auto Accident Injury in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Minneapolis-St. Paul? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety recorded over 80,000 crashes in 2019, leading to more than 27,000 injuries. Sadly, 364 individuals lost their lives that year, including 50 pedestrians.

While the state’s Ignition Interlock Program, implemented in 2011, has experienced considerable growth since its inception, 89 individuals lost their lives in incidents related to drunk driving in 2019. In addition, since making the failure to wear a seatbelt a “primary” offense in 2009, the state has since seen a reduction in deaths, moderate injuries, and severe injuries. However, of the 364 reported fatalities, 73 involved unbelted motorists.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, if you are involved in a car crash that results in death, injury or property damage in excess of $1,000, you have 10 days to submit a crash report. On the authority of 2020 Minnesota Statutes, failure to do so could result in fines, incarceration, or license suspension. You can access the crash report on the DPS website 20 working days after the incident for $5.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety, using data from the National Safety Council, calculates a total economic loss north of $1.8 billion from 2019 traffic crashes. PDO incidents (property damage only) summed up to $500 million while $800 million can be attributed to combined losses from injuries of all severities. Deaths accounted for over $600 million of the total. A breakdown of the figure includes car passengers bearing 70% of the total loss, followed by motorcyclists at 16%, pedestrians at 12% and bicyclists at 3%. Over $240 million is attached to young drivers ages 20-34.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Minnesota

Liability Laws for Minneapolis-St. Paul

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Minnesota is a “no-fault” state, meaning you must initiate a claim with your own insurance company rather than insuring to pay out to the other party. In this way, basic costs are covered for the driver, regardless of who is at fault. However, if medical expenses exceed $4,000 or the incident results in permanent injury or a 60-day period of disability, a claim may be filed in court directly against another individual. In such cases for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the state’s comparative negligence rule bases damages awarded on the parties’ percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Minnesota, claims for personal injury must be filed within two years after the date of the incident.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Minnesota!