Did you lose a loved one who was a passenger in a fatal car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota? If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, your family may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. The responsible party could be the driver of the vehicle your loved one was riding in or another motorist involved in the collision.
At Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we have decades of experience helping families pursue justice and financial compensation after fatal accidents. Contact us today at (800) 292-1979 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options with a Minneapolis wrongful death lawyer.
Why Hire Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for Your Wrongful Death Matter in Minneapolis, MN?
Passenger injury claims often involve multiple drivers and conflicting insurance policies. They may also involve questions about who can legally file a claim. You need dedicated attorneys who can help you navigate these technical details and get justice for your loved one and financial compensation for your family’s future.
Clients choose our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers because:
- We have over 80 years of combined experience in wrongful death cases.
- We have secured more than $90 million in recoveries for our clients.
- We review all available insurance policies to maximize compensation.
- We provide direct personal attention to every client we serve.
- We work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if we win.
Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Minneapolis wrongful death attorney.
What Legal Rights Do Injured Passengers Have After a Crash?
Passengers occupy a unique position after a car accident because they’re almost never at fault for the crash itself, regardless of which driver caused it. Under Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system, an injured passenger’s own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, or the coverage on the vehicle they were riding in, typically pays for initial medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was driving.
In cases involving severe or fatal injuries, state law allows families to step outside the no-fault system to file a claim directly against negligent drivers. This enables families to seek recovery beyond basic PIP limits and pursue coverage from any driver who contributed to the crash.
Identifying all liable drivers and insurance policies is essential to building a strong passenger wrongful death case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Minnesota?
Under Minnesota law, a wrongful death claim arises when a person dies due to another party’s negligence. If the victim had survived, they likely could have filed a personal injury lawsuit; their death transfers that right to surviving family members, which transforms the matter into a wrongful death lawsuit.
Minnesota doesn’t allow surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit directly in their own names. State law requires a court-appointed trustee, usually a surviving spouse or close relative, to bring the lawsuit on behalf of all dependent family members.
Minnesota law places strict deadlines on filing wrongful death claims. Taking legal action as soon as possible can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
Types of Crashes Leading to Passenger Fatalities
Passengers can be severely hurt in almost any car crash, but certain types of accidents are especially likely to result in a fatality.
Common crashes that fatally injure passengers across Minneapolis include:
- High-speed crashes with extreme impact forces
- T-bone or side-impacts, which put passengers at high risk
- Rollover accidents that expose passengers to crushing forces or ejection
- Head-on collisions featuring high speeds and forceful impacts
- Seatbelt issues, where unbuckled passengers or improperly secured children face a higher risk of death.
- Multi-car pileups that cause passengers to suffer repeated hits.
- Drunk or distracted driving crashes with an intoxicated driver
- Semi-truck crashes that create catastrophic crashes
Sadly, passengers do not control the car and cannot avoid a collision. Finding out how and why the crash happened is a critical first step when filing a wrongful death claim for surviving family members.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Through a wrongful death claim, surviving family members can seek financial recovery for the various losses caused by their loved one’s passing.
These often include:
- Medical bills incurred prior to death.
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Loss of future financial support and household income.
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and advice.
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse.
- Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before passing.
An experienced attorney can help you identify the damages that are available in your claim.
Contact a Minneapolis Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Financial compensation cannot replace a loved one. But holding negligent drivers accountable can help provide a sense of justice and a financial award that helps address the financial aspects of your loss. The team at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has the resources to investigate your case and pursue full compensation.
Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options from a Minneapolis wrongful death attorney.