Did a drunk driver cause you to sustain injuries in an accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota? If so, you may have the option to file a claim against them and recover compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can protect your interests and help present your strongest case for a monetary award that makes you whole again.
Our Minneapolis DUI accident lawyers have been helping clients in the area since 1979 when we founded our personal injury law firm. The attorneys we employ have decades of combined experience practicing law, and we’ve secured tens of millions of dollars on behalf of deserving personal injury victims just like you.
Want to get started? Contact our Minneapolis law office today at (800) 292-1979, we offer a free initial consultation to provide legal advice and review your DUI accident case.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, Can Help After a DUI Accident in Minneapolis
It’s one thing when two motor vehicles collide in an unfortunate accident that was nobody’s fault. But when a drunk driver causes a car accident and inflicts harm upon another person, they must be held accountable for their actions.
The criminal justice system may convict the driver of DUI and impose penalties like jail time, but that does nothing to help you contend with the losses you’ve suffered.
The trusted Minneapolis car accident attorneys with Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys treat our clients like family. That means we cut no corners in providing our legal services and will keep you apprised of your case’s progress and your best course of action at all times.
Our founding attorney, Mike Hall, Sr., was named Attorney of the Year in 2021 by Minnesota Lawyer and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer on 16 occasions. He and the rest of our award-winning legal team can help you by:
- Internally investigating your DUI accident to collect evidence and identify all of your damages
- Hiring experts, as necessary, to further improve the strength of your claim
- Taking care of the communications, paperwork, and procedures throughout the process
- Negotiating for an adequate settlement agreement with the opposing party
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if needed
Hiring our experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyers could make the difference in obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. Call today to set up your free case evaluation and learn more about what we can do to assist.
A Brief Overview of Minnesota DUI Law
Driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI) as it is referred to under Minnesota law, occurs when a person operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of at least 0.08. However, the state may still arrest for DWI in certain cases even when the offender’s BAC is lower.
The penalties associated with a DWI conviction in Minnesota range in severity, depending on factors such as the circumstances of the case and whether it is the person’s first offense. Even for a first-time DWI, however, the prosecution may still seek jail time, fines, and license suspension.
Importantly, these reflect only the criminal penalties a person charged with DWI may face; they are distinct from any consequences that can result from civil liability.
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can assist you with your civil claim against the drunk driver, and you can still win even if the driver is acquitted in criminal court.
How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Take Place in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety within its Department of Public Safety publishes annual fact sheets on motor vehicle accidents. The latest year from which data are available is 2021. The most recent Crash Facts document indicates the following regarding DUI accidents:
- There were 74 fatalities due to drunk driving across the state in 2021, which is down from 79 in 2020
- There were 3,922 alcohol-related crashes in Minnesota in 2021
- In 2021, the state made a total of 24,324 DWI arrests
- Statistically speaking, 1 in 7 Minnesota drivers has a DWI on their record, and half of them will re-offend
Unfortunately, these facts demonstrate that drunk driving is a serious issue in Minnesota. On average, there were more than 10 alcohol-related accidents in the state every day in 2021.
Learn more about car accident statistics in Minneapolis here.
How Much Is My Minneapolis DUI Accident Case Worth?
Personal injury case values are highly fact-specific; some are worth tens of millions of dollars, while others are worth thousands, The value of your Minneapolis DUI accident case is based on many factors, including but not limited to the following:
- The availability of evidence in furtherance of your claim
- Your age at the time of the DUI accident
- Whether you contributed to the cause of the accident
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether you are anticipating a full medical recovery
In some cases, hiring experts to evaluate a claim properly becomes necessary. While the cases involving the most debilitating, life-altering injuries are generally worth the most, the calculation is rarely that simple.
The best way to gain insight into how much your case might be worth is to contact a Minneapolis DUI attorney for a free consultation.
What Damages Are Available Following a DUI Accident in Minneapolis?
Minnesota currently has “no-fault” car insurance rules in place. Drivers must hold Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage, which provides benefits after an accident regardless of who caused the crash. However, this coverage is limited to $20,000 for medical bills and another $20,000 for non-medical expenses by default.
In order to step outside the state’s no-fault rules and file a claim against the drunk driver, you must have incurred at least $4,000 in medical expenses due to the accident or suffered an especially serious or permanent injury.
If you can file this type of claim, you can recover many more types of damages than you can through your PIP coverage. These include full economic damages as well as non-economic damages. Examples include:
- The entirety of your medical bills and other expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Decreased earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other similar conditions
You may also recover punitive damages in a claim against the responsible driver. These damages are reserved for rare cases involving heinous conduct, though drunk driving could constitute that level of behavior. Punitive damages are meant to further “punish” the at-fault party for their actions.
Contact Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys if you have any questions about your options for recovering compensation. We can provide detailed insight during your free consultation.
We’ll Fight for Compensation That Reflects All of Your DUI Accident Injuries in Minneapolis, MN
Car accidents can have a devastating impact on those involved, potentially resulting in life-changing injuries. Types of injuries our Minneapolis car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Road rash
- Puncture wounds and organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chest injuries
- Catastrophic injuries like amputations and paralysis
- The wrongful death of a loved one
This is not an exhaustive list. Even if your injuries aren’t mentioned above, we can assist with your DUI accident claim. Contact our law office in Minneapolis for further information.
How Do I Prove Liability for My DUI Accident Case in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
In a personal injury case, establishing liability generally means proving that the at-fault driver was negligent. Negligence is a legal term meaning something close to “carelessness.” It occurs when the following four legal elements are met:
- Duty of Care
- Breach of Duty
- Causation
- Damages
Proving liability for a DUI accident case could be easier than other car accident cases such as distracted driving, speeding, and improper left-turns. Drivers owe a duty of care to others in terms of driving safely and obeying the rules of the road.
And since driving drunk is a clear violation of that duty, the at-fault party will likely have a tough time disputing the first two elements of negligence.
However, the remaining two elements may be at issue and can heavily influence the outcome of your case. In addition, as the personal injury victim, you’ll have the burden of proof to establish each element by a preponderance of the evidence.
Hiring the Minneapolis DUI accident lawyers with Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys means you’ll have a strong legal advocate to help you every step of the way. Call today for a free case review if you’d like to learn more.
What’s the Time Limit for Filing a DUI Accident Claim in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s statute of limitations establishes the deadlines for filing lawsuits, including those based on DUI accidents. You will lose your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party if you submit your lawsuit too late, so it is best to contact a Minnesota personal injury attorney to confirm the deadline for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Minneapolis Car Crash Attorney
A DUI accident in Minneapolis, MN at Hennepin County, can disastrously impact you and your loved ones. Fortunately, you don’t have to pursue compensation from the drunk driver on your own.
While you focus on your medical recovery, our Minneapolis Car Crash Attorneys will work hard to hold the at-fault party liable for all your damages. We also work on contingency, so you won’t have to pay us upfront to hire us. Furthermore, we’ll only receive attorney’s fees if we settle or win your claim.
Visit our Minneapolis office or call us today at (800) 292-1979 to schedule your free initial consultation.
