Open Streets events allow people to walk, bike, shop, eat, and take part in activities along streets that are closed or limited to vehicle traffic. With large crowds and many activities in one area, accidents can still happen.
Your legal options if you get injured at Open Streets in Minneapolis, MN, depend on how the injury happened and who caused it. A business, driver, property owner, event operator, or another party could be responsible in some cases.
What Should You Do After an Injury at Open Streets?
Your health should come first after an accident. Get medical care if you are injured, even if you are not sure how serious the injury is.
If possible, you should also:
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene
- Report the injury to event staff or the proper authority
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Identify any business or vehicle involved
- Keep damaged clothing or personal property
- Save medical bills and other records
After the event, write down what happened while the details are still fresh. These steps can help preserve evidence if you later make a claim.
What Types of Accidents Can Happen?
Open Streets events bring pedestrians, bicyclists, vendors, businesses, and other activities into the same public space. This can create several types of accident risks.
Injuries may result from:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Bicycle crashes
- Vehicle accidents
- Unsafe equipment
- Falling objects
- Dangerous walkways
- Poorly placed barriers
- Other people’s careless actions
The type of accident can affect who may be responsible. For example, a bicycle collision raises different issues than a fall caused by an unsafe walking surface.
Who Could Be Responsible for an Injury?
Liability depends on what caused the injury and who had a duty to prevent the danger.
A driver or bicyclist may be responsible for causing a collision. A business or property owner could be responsible for certain unsafe conditions under its control.
Event organizers, vendors, contractors, or other parties could also be involved. In some cases, more than one person or group may share responsibility.
Identifying the correct party is important because different legal rules may apply depending on who caused the injury.
What If the City of Minneapolis Is Responsible?
Some injuries at public events may involve property or activities controlled by a city or another government body. Claims against government entities can have special rules that do not apply to ordinary injury claims.
Minnesota law includes limits and procedures for certain claims against municipalities. For example, state law generally requires notice of a claim against a municipality within 180 days after the injured person discovers the loss or injury.
The exact rules depend on the facts and the party involved. This makes it important to determine early whether a government entity may be responsible.
What If You Were Partly at Fault?
Being partly responsible for an accident does not always prevent you from recovering compensation.
Minnesota uses modified comparative fault. Under Minnesota law, an injured person’s fault does not bar recovery as long as it is not greater than the fault of the person or parties they are seeking compensation from.
However, the person’s compensation is reduced by their share of fault. For example, someone with $50,000 in damages who is found 20% at fault could have the award reduced to $40,000.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If another party caused your injury, you may be able to seek compensation for the losses that resulted.
Depending on the injury, damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced ability to earn
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
The amount available depends on the seriousness of the injury and its effect on your life. Evidence of your financial losses and medical treatment can help show the value of a claim.
Contact a Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were injured at Open Streets in Minneapolis, your legal options depend on how the accident happened and who was responsible. A driver, bicyclist, vendor, property owner, event operator, or government entity could potentially be liable.
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can review your case and explain your options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina. We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and their surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320, St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203, Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198