It is reckless, as well as a crime, for a driver to operate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, thousands of drivers in Minnesota break this law every year. A drunk driving accident could result in life-changing personal injuries for a victim. At Hall Law P.A., we represent accident victims during injury claims. Contact us anytime to speak to our drunk driving accident lawyers during a free consultation in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Why You Need to Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
A drunk driving accident lawyer can give you all of the information and resources you need to bring a strong claim to damages. Damages describe the financial compensation you could receive for the losses associated with a car accident in Minnesota. Hiring a lawyer can make it easier to build a claim against one or more parties in pursuit of damages.
In addition to assisting you with your financial recovery, a lawyer can offer you peace of mind. Your lawyer can connect you with top doctors in St. Cloud for exceptional medical care. Your lawyer can answer all the questions you have about drunk driving accidents and related civil laws in Minnesota. A personal injury lawyer can help you feel safe, comfortable and confident at what may be the most difficult time of your life.
Minnesota’s Drunk Driving Laws
Drunk driving is against the law in Minnesota and every other state. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). At this BAC or higher, a driver is legally too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. Driving drunk is a serious crime with fines as high as $20,000, potential jail time, and temporary or permanent driver’s license revocation. It is also against the law for drivers in Minnesota to operate motor vehicles with any level of intoxicating drugs in their system, including prescription medications.
Is Minnesota a Fault or No-Fault State?
Aside from facing criminal charges for drunk driving, the offender may also have to accept civil liability for a car accident. If a drunk driver caused a wreck that injured or killed another person or damaged another person’s property, that driver will have to pay damages. Minnesota is a no-fault state, however, meaning an at-fault driver will only be liable if the victim’s injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold, which must include:
- More than $4,000 in reasonable medical expenses
- Permanent disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Disability that lasts at least 60 days
- Death
Most drunk driving accidents in St. Cloud are so severe that the related injuries meet the threshold and give the victim the power to file outside of the no-fault system. If your injuries are serious enough, holding the drunk driver responsible can help you achieve maximum financial compensation. This is important if you wish to afford the past and future costs of a serious physical injury.
Compensation Available
One of the most important things a lawyer can do for you is fight for maximum compensation for your severe injuries. A successful settlement or verdict could repay you for many different losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Legal expenses
- Vehicle repairs
- Lost wages
- Lost capacity to earn
- Ongoing health care
- Rehabilitation
- Punitive damages
While no amount of money can make up for the repercussions of a serious drunk driving accident, a monetary award could help you gain financial stability and peace of mind.
Contact Our St. Cloud Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
Contact the lawyers at Hall Law P.A. for assistance with each stage of your drunk driving accident claim. We are here for injured accident victims in St. Cloud and throughout Minnesota. Call (800) 292-1979 today to request a free consultation.