There were 444 traffic deaths throughout Minnesota in 2022. While the total number of deaths decreased from the year prior, the number of crashes causing serious injuries increased by 13%. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Rochester, MN, you should talk to a Rochester car accident lawyer.
A Rochester car accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you navigate the insurance process and a potential lawsuit. Our goal is to get our clients fairly compensated for their injuries. We have recovered over $90 million for our clients since 1979.
The law can be confusing in Rochester, Minnesota, but our Rochester car accident attorneys will break it down in an easy-to-understand way. You can rest assured that you will receive the highest-quality representation while you focus on healing.
Contact our office in Rochester, MN, to set up a free consultation today at (800) 292-1979.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You After a Car Accident In Rochester, MN
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has over 80 years of combined experience. Our team is made up of seasoned Rochester personal injury lawyers who are passionate about helping injured clients.
We have been recognized with both local and national accolades, including:
- Attorney of the Year for 2021 by Minnesota Lawyer
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers
- Membership in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- AV-Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
If you trust us to handle your Rochester, MN car accident case, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Explain the law
- Calculate your damages
- Consult with experts
- File an insurance claim
- Negotiate with insurance providers
- File a lawsuit if necessary
Every car accident case is different. During our free consultation, we will discuss the details of your case and your needs. Then we can build a strategy designed to meet your goals. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys prides itself on our individualized approach to every case.
Call our Rochester car accident lawyers to learn how we can help you today.
Common Causes of Car Accidents In Rochester, MN
Rochester, MN is home to over 121,000 people. While Rochester isn’t as large as its neighbor Minneapolis, it is the third-largest city in Minnesota. As a result, Rochester is not insulated from car crashes.
In our experience, the most common causes of car accidents in Rochester include:
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Poor Weather Conditions
- Running Red Lights
- Failing To Yield
- Improper Signage
- Obstructions In The Roadway
- Vehicle Defects
Usually, our clients have an idea of what caused their car accidents. However, it’s fairly common that our clients have no idea what happened. This may be a result of their serious injuries or because accidents happen very quickly.
We help our clients understand how a crash happened and chart the best course to recover damages.
How Much Is My Rochester, MN Car Crash Case Worth?
It’s normal to wonder about the value of your car accident case. After all, you may be dealing with expensive medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses from your injuries.
Some factors that can increase a case value are:
- The severity or permanence of your injuries
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering
- An accident that happens in a particularly traumatic manner
- The impact of your injuries on your ability to work
- The effect on your overall quality of life
When you meet with our lawyers, we will help you add up your damages. This total is the value of your case. The value will guide our negotiations with the insurance company and help us evaluate settlement offers, if applicable.
Car Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
We represent clients who have experienced injuries ranging from minor to severe and even families in wrongful death cases. Sometimes, even the most minor injuries can significantly impact a client’s life.
Some of the most common types of injuries include:
- Traumatic brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Amputation
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Crush injuries
In many cases, our clients have multiple injuries. These cases can become complicated and require a lawyer who understands the combined impact on a client’s life.
Our attorneys are used to speaking with doctors and reviewing medical records. We frequently represent clients who have very complex medical histories. This experience gives us an advantage when standing up for our clients against insurance companies.
Is Minnesota a No-Fault Insurance State?
Yes, Minnesota has enacted a No-Fault Automobile Insurance statute that applies in car accident cases. This means that people who are hurt in car accidents can receive compensation for certain losses, regardless of who caused the crash.
The types of damages that you can recover under a no-fault insurance policy include payment for medical expenses, certain income and economic losses, and survivor benefits. Oftentimes, clients have losses that exceed the amount recoverable under the statute. In these cases, we can request further payment from the driver at fault.
What if I’m Being Blamed for the Car Accident?
Minnesota is a modified comparative negligence state. This allows you to recover compensation for your injuries if you are less than 51% at fault for the collision. The amount of compensation you recover will be reduced in proportion to your amount of fault.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident In Rochester?
The money that you can recover after a Rochester car crash goes beyond just medical bills. That’s because sometimes people experience intangible losses.
In general, damages are divided into three different categories. These categories include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the most common form of compensation after a car crash. This is money that is paid to an injured person for actual financial losses.
Economic damages in Minnesota often include:
- Medical bills
- Ambulance and emergency costs
- Cost of surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Cost of medical devices (like prosthetics or a wheelchair)
- Physical therapy
- Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments
- Damage to your car or other property
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
We can prove that you are entitled to economic damages through evidence. This evidence usually includes bills, credit card statements, income projections, and paystubs. You should track all of your expenses and keep documentation for your lawyer.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses. This compensation is meant to pay a victim for emotional damage and trauma associated with a crash.
The most common form of non-economic damages is pain and suffering, but it can also include money for:
- Physical pain
- Mental trauma
- Onset of mental illness
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent impairment
- Loss of relationships
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our attorneys can help you calculate these damages as it may not always be clear. We will rely on our experience to understand the monetary value and then advocate for you to receive full compensation.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are far less common than economic and non-economic damages. The legal standard is very strict and they are only awarded in certain cases. You are only entitled to punitive damages if you can prove that the defendant showed deliberate disregard for your rights or safety.
This means that the defendant needed to be more than negligent. They must have acted in a way that they knew was likely to injure someone. A great example would be a DUI case or if someone was racing.
If you think that you may be entitled to punitive damages, you’ll almost certainly need a lawyer. These cases are hard to win, but it is possible with an experienced advocate on your side.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Car Crash In Minnesota?
The statute of limitations for most car accident cases in Minnesota is two years for personal injury or six years for injury to property. However, the time may vary depending on the facts of the case. The purpose of the statute of limitations is to make sure that lawsuits are filed promptly. This evens the playing field for both parties.
You must talk to a lawyer immediately after an accident. Before filing a lawsuit, the lawyer will evaluate your case, file insurance claims, negotiate, and perform other work. If you wait until the last minute, your attorney may not have time to do everything needed to win your case. By hiring a lawyer as soon as possible, you can make sure that you have adequate time to get the best results.
How Much Does a Rochester Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most Rochester car accident lawyers work for a contingency fee. That means you won’t need to pay them unless and until you win your case. Instead, the lawyer will take a set percentage of your final settlement or award. You will agree on the percentage with your lawyer before signing a retainer.
A contingency fee arrangement makes hiring a lawyer an affordable and low-risk option for anyone seeking justice. You can rest easy knowing your lawyer only gets paid if you win your case.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Rochester Car Accident Lawyer
The first step in any car accident case is to speak with a Rochester car accident lawyer. You don’t want to give the defendant an advantage because you waited to receive legal advice. Call our office to set up a free consultation with a Rochester car accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys. We are available to answer questions about your Rochester, MN car accident case.
