Thousands of car accidents are reported each year in Minnesota. In 2021, 488 people died, and more than 24,000 people were injured in Minnesota car accidents. If you are involved in a car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.
Our Minneapolis car accident lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys have recovered more than $90 million in compensation for our clients. With over 80 years of combined legal experience, our personal injury lawyers have the expertise and resources to handle the most complex car accident cases. We focus solely on representing injured victims and their families.
Contact our Minneapolis law office at (800) 292-1979 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Minneapolis car accident attorneys. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
Insurance companies and at-fault drivers try to avoid liability for claims. They do not want to pay you a fair settlement for your car accident case.
Our attorneys at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys are known for being aggressive, diligent advocates for our clients. Our reputation is built on a winning track record and exceptional client service. We have a 5-star rating on Google and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel, its highest rating.
Numerous organizations have recognized our lawyers for their legal services. They appear on the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list compiled by The National Trial Lawyers. Our attorneys are also recognized as Super Lawyers in Minnesota.
When you hire Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to handle your car accident case, we can help by:
- Completing an independent investigation to determine how the car crash occurred and identify the responsible parties
- Gather evidence proving causation, fault, and liability
- Work with leading expert witnesses, as necessary
- Document your injuries and damages and determine how much your car accident case is worth
- File insurance claims and pursue personal injury claims
- Negotiate fair settlements based on the total value of your damages
- File car accident lawsuits and argue your case in court, if needed
We put your best interests first at all times during your case. Our lawyers accept car accident cases for a contingency fee. You do not pay any attorney’s fees unless and until we win money for your case.
Call now for a free case evaluation from an experienced car accident lawyer in Minneapolis, MN.
What Are the First Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Minneapolis, MN?
What you do and say immediately following a Minneapolis car accident can profoundly impact the outcome of your personal injury claim. Steps to take after a Minneapolis car crash include:
- Call 911 to report the car accident to the police
- If you can do so safely, make a video of the accident scene and take photographs
- Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information
- Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident
- Limit your discussions with insurance adjusters
- Document your financial losses, pain, and suffering
- Seek immediate medical treatment for injuries because delays in medical care could hurt your case
- Contact our Minneapolis car accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your case
Keeping detailed records and following through with your doctor’s treatment plan helps improve your chance of recovering maximum compensation for your claim. Legal advice from experienced accident attorneys early in your case can also increase your chance of receiving a fair settlement amount for your claim.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim for an Accident in Minneapolis?
A statute of limitations is a deadline for filing lawsuits and claims. Lawsuits filed after the statute of limitations expires can be dismissed by the court, even if you have a valid claim against the other driver.
Many factors go into determining the amount of time you have to file a claim after an accident. It is best to contact an attorney as soon as you can after a crash to protect your legal rights.
Furthermore, waiting to consult a Minneapolis car accident lawyer can hurt your case in numerous ways. Evidence can disappear or be destroyed if you wait too long to consult with an attorney. Over time, the memories of witnesses can fade.
What Are the Car Insurance Requirements for Minnesota Drivers?
Minnesota requires minimum no-fault and liability insurance coverage. Drivers must maintain insurance coverage that equals or exceeds the following minimum amounts:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) no-fault insurance in the amount of $40,000 per person
- Liability insurance coverage of $30,000 for injuries to a person ($60,000 per accident) and $10,000 in property damage
- Uninsured and underinsured coverage in the amount of $25,000 for injuries to one person ($50,000 per accident)
PIP insurance pays benefits regardless of who is responsible for the cause of the car crash. Liability insurance pays victims when an insured driver causes the accident.
No-fault insurance is designed to streamline insurance claims and put money in the hands of accident victims faster. However, there are limits to no-fault insurance.
PIP insurance covers up to $20,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in non-medical expenses. It does not compensate a victim for pain and suffering damages. Furthermore, PIP insurance typically does not apply when riding a snowmobile or motorcycle.
The time to file a PIP claim is also very short. You must provide proof of expenses and submit to a medical examination if requested.
Can I Sue the Other Driver for Damages After a Car Accident in Minnesota?
Your first claim is with your PIP insurance provider. In most cases, Minnesota accident victims are limited to their no-fault insurance and cannot sue the other driver. However, there are exceptions to the rule.
You can sue the driver who caused your Minneapolis car accident if any of the following applies:
- Your medical expenses exceed $4,000;
- You suffered permanent injuries, scarring, or disfigurement; or,
- The accident resulted in disability for 60 days or longer.
You might have the right to sue, but you cannot recover compensation unless you prove the legal elements of your personal injury claim. Many car accidents are caused by negligence. In those cases, the victim must prove the other driver breached their duty of care, the breach of duty resulted in the car crash, and you sustained damages because of the accident.
Our legal team at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys handles all matters related to proving the legal elements of your claim.
Can I Recover Compensation for a Minneapolis Car Accident if I’m Partially To Blame?
Minnesota has a modified comparative fault law that applies in car accident cases. Under the theory of comparative negligence, an accident victim can recover compensation for damages. However, their compensation is reduced by their level of fault for causing their injuries.
For example, suppose a jury awards you $500,000 for a car accident case. However, the jurors determined you were 10% to blame for causing the car accident. In that case, your compensation would be $450,000 (the total award less 10% for your liability for causing the crash).
Under Minnesota’s modified comparative fault law, there is a 51% bar for fault. If you are 51% or more to blame for causing a car accident, you cannot recover any money for your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Car Accident Case in Minneapolis, MN?
Car accident victims can recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages in a liability claim against the other driver or at-fault party. These damages compensate you for your monetary losses and the harm you experienced because of the accident and your injuries.
Examples of damages in a car accident case include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Past and future lost wages and benefits
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced earning capacity
- Scarring and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Diminished quality of life
- Long-term care
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Household services
In addition to compensatory damages, some accident victims might receive punitive damages for a car accident lawsuit. Punitive damages are only awarded if the victim can prove that the at-fault party acted with “deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of others.” The burden of proof for punitive damages is higher than the proof required for compensatory damages.
Our Minneapolis car accident attorneys explore all options for recovering compensation for a car accident claim. The goal is to put as much money in your pocket as possible at the end of the case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Minneapolis Car Accident Lawyers
Have you been injured in a car accident in Minneapolis, MN at Hennepin County? Contact our law office at (800) 292-1979 to request a free case review from an experienced Minneapolis car accident attorney. Let’s work together to hold the party who caused your car crash responsible for the harm they caused you and your family. Visit our Minneapolis office today.
