Car accidents result predominantly from hazardous driving behaviors, including tailgating, distracted driving, and speeding. However, a small percentage of crashes result from road defects in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
These collisions can involve complicated issues of liability, particularly where the state or local government may have acted negligently. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys helps accident victims identify all the claims that may arise from their traffic accidents, including those against the government.
Contact our Minneapolis road defect accident lawyers today at (800) 292-1979 to schedule a free consultation.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Road Defect Accident in Minneapolis, MN
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has successfully secured over $90 million in compensation for our clients in Minneapolis, MN. Our attorneys have over eight decades of combined legal experience protecting the rights of the injured to recover fair and just compensation for their losses.
When you get injured in a preventable traffic crash, our Minneapolis car accident lawyers can:
- Review the circumstances of your accident and identify all your legal claims
- Gather evidence, including crash reports and photos, to build a case
- File claims with the insurers for the responsible parties and negotiate to settle them
- Litigate against parties who refuse to resolve the claims against them
Car accidents can cause serious or even fatal injuries, regardless of the cause. Contact us to schedule your free consultation with a Minneapolis road defect accident attorney to learn how we can help you fight for compensation for the losses arising from a preventable traffic crash.
Road Defect Car Accident Statistics in Minneapolis
Road defect crashes are relatively rare. According to the state’s statistics for 2024, only eight crashes resulted from ruts, holes, or bumps in the road. Another seven collisions happened because of debris in the road. Given that the state had over 63,000 traffic accidents that year, these numbers mean that only 0.02% of crashes across the state were blamed on road defects.
Minneapolis car accident statistics are even more stark. In 2024, the Minneapolis Police Department reported zero crashes resulting from surface defects. If you were injured in any type of vehicle crash, consult our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers for guidance.
Liability for Road Defect Crashes Under Minnesota Law
The liability for road defect collisions can fall on many different parties depending on the facts and circumstances of the accident. Our Minneapolis car accident attorneys can investigate to determine which entity or entities bear responsibility.
At-Fault Drivers
The touchstone for liability in a car accident is negligence. Specifically, a party will bear the liability for any injuries and property damage caused by their negligence.
Drivers have a legal duty to drive with reasonable care. They may be liable for crashes resulting from traffic law violations. They may also be liable for acts that are legal but unreasonably dangerous. When a road defect contributes to a crash, another driver may still be held liable.
For example, suppose a distracted driver hits a chunk of concrete in the road, causing it to be thrown at your vehicle. The concrete then shatters your windshield, causing serious injuries. You may have a claim against the other driver if they could have avoided the concrete by driving with reasonable care.
Private Construction Companies
Construction companies also have a duty to perform their acts with reasonable care for the safety of others. If a company damages a road, bridge, or other infrastructure, it may be liable for any resulting injuries.
For example, if a crane accidentally struck a bridge support during a road construction project. The support looked safe, but the impact created cracks that weakened it. If the bridge now collapses or pieces of the broken support fall on cars, the construction company may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Government Entities
Under common law, government entities were immune from lawsuits. The legal theory was that the government created the laws, so it could not be subject to them. However, Minnesota has waived its immunity from lawsuits for injuries caused by the negligence of government workers and entities. This waiver covers both state and municipal agencies.
Minnesota law holds government entities, such as the state, county, or city, accountable for maintaining safe roadways. This duty includes regular inspections, timely repairs, and appropriate warnings about known hazards. Furthermore, design flaws in the road, if proven, can also lead to liability, even if the road was built years prior.
To prove negligence, you must generally show that the government agency knew or should have known that its actions or omissions posed an unreasonable risk to road users.
For example, suppose that your road defect crash occurred when another driver hit a pothole and lost control of their car.
To establish negligence by the city or state, you may need to prove either:
- Officials knew or had reason to know about the road defect but failed to fix it, or
- Officials were unaware of the defect because they failed to inspect the road, which would have allowed them to discover the defect.
Claims against the government are limited by statute. You must typically give notice of a claim against the government within 180 days of the injury. If you fail to do so, a judge can dismiss your case, even though the statute of limitations has not yet expired.
Contact a Minneapolis personal injury attorney promptly after a road defect crash to preserve your potential claim against the government.
Contact Our Minneapolis Road Defect Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today
You may have the right to seek injury compensation from at-fault drivers and the government for road defect crashes in Minneapolis. Contact Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss the claims you can assert after your car accident.
