Getting into a car accident can be devastating. One minute, you’re fine—the next, you’re seriously injured, missing work, and dealing with excruciating pain.
Sadly, for many accident victims in St. Paul, MN, insurance companies do not treat them fairly. They are only interested in minimizing payouts to enhance their profit margins.
If you were involved in an auto accident, you need a St. Paul personal injury lawyer who will fight to protect your rights so you can focus on your recovery. The legal team at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is standing by, ready to assist you with your claim.
Contact us today at (800) 292-1979 to take advantage of your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced St. Paul car accident lawyer.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Car Accident in St. Paul, MN
When you are trying to recover from serious injuries, you don’t need the added burden of trying to handle a personal injury claim on your own. You can trust your claim to the capable hands of an experienced St. Paul car accident attorney from Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Our team has been recognized for our skills and resources, being named Attorney of the Year for 2021 by Minnesota Lawyer and named in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Expertise also named us the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Bloomington in 2021.
With over 80 years of combined legal experience, we can help with your St. Paul car accident claim by:
- Investigating the accident, determining how it happened, and identifying who is responsible
- Managing your claim paperwork and case deadlines
- Explaining your legal rights and options at each phase of the case
- Compiling evidence regarding liability and your damages
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Advising you of whether a settlement offer is fair or recommending that you proceed to trial
Contact our St. Paul, Minnesota law firm today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Car Accidents in St. Paul, Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported that 4,161,269 people held Minnesota driver’s licenses, and over 6.4 million vehicles were registered in the state in 2021. These vehicles traveled over 57.2 billion miles that year.
There were 63,751 traffic crashes in 2021 in the state. These resulted in 488 fatalities, the highest recorded number since 2007. 24,083 people were injured in traffic accidents in Minnesota in 2021.
In 2022, there were 214 pedestrian accidents and 79 bike accidents involving motor vehicles in St. Paul, MN.
What Causes Car Accidents in St. Paul, MN?
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the main causes of car accidents in St. Paul and surrounding areas in Minnesota include:
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Improper turning
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to keep in proper lane
- Disregarding traffic control devices
- Running stop signs
- Overcorrecting
- Swerving
- Careless, negligent, or erratic driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective vehicle components
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Disregarding road markings
- Following too closely
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Obstructions in the roadway
- Improper passing
Regardless of the cause, car accidents can result in serious, life-altering injuries to victims.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in various types of injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to permanent injuries or even death. Today, car accident victims are more likely to survive collisions due to safety features like seat belts and airbags.
However, victims may still suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Physical disfigurement
- Scarring
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns
- Paralysis
- Fractured bones
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
An experienced St. Paul car accident lawyer can review your case and determine how the accident occurred and who is responsible for it.
Who Is Responsible For Car Accidents in St. Paul, Minnesota?
Minnesota is one of about a dozen no-fault insurance states. This means that after an accident, you turn first to your own insurance provider for coverage, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
The minimum required amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is $40,000, which provides $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses, such as lost wages and replacement services.
However, you are also required to carry liability insurance, which provides coverage to others if you are at fault for a crash.
You may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim for compensation against the party responsible for the accident if:
- You have more than $4,000 in medical expenses
- The accident results in your permanent disfigurement, scarring, permanent injury, death, or disability for 60 days or more
- Your economic losses exceed your PIP policy limits
The other driver may be responsible for the accident due to negligent driving practices.
However, there may be other parties liable for the accident, such as:
- The owner of the vehicle, if different than the operator of the vehicle
- Employers if the negligent driver was working at the time of the accident
- Parties who illegally serve alcohol to drunk motorists who cause collisions
- Product designers or manufacturers who designed or manufactured defective auto parts
- Governmental entities responsible for dangerous road designs or conditions
Let our award-winning St. Paul car accident lawyers get to the bottom of who is responsible for your accident and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Can I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in St. Paul?
For you to make a third-party claim, you will need to show that the other party was at fault for the accident. All drivers have a duty to follow all traffic laws, operate their vehicles safely, and take steps to avoid collisions.
You may be able to show that the other driver breached this legal duty and is, therefore, responsible for your damages by providing evidence, such as:
- Car accident reports that indicate the other driver was at fault or was cited for a traffic violation
- Photos of the accident scene and damage to the vehicles that indicate where the impact to the vehicles occurred
- Videos from traffic cameras, nearby surveillance cameras, or dash cams that show the events leading up to the accident
- Statements from witnesses who observed the accident or events leading up to it
- Cell phone records that indicate the driver was distracted near the time of the accident
- Reports from accident reconstruction experts that use available information to create visual displays about how the collision occurred
- Electronically stored information in the vehicles, such as the speed the vehicles were traveling before applying the brakes
An experienced car accident lawyer can help gather the evidence you need to establish fault. There are strict deadlines that apply to car accident claims, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer to get started on your case.
What Kinds of Damages Are Awarded in Minnesota Car Accident Cases?
If you were injured in a car accident in St. Paul, MN, you could be entitled to compensation for current and future damages caused by the accident. This could include payment for the following economic and non-economic losses:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses related to car accidents can be significant and include:
- Hospitalization costs
- Emergency treatment and transportation
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Follow-up care
- Visits with specialists
- Medicines
- Medical devices
You could also be compensated for mileage to and from medical appointments, so keep good records of all of your medical bills, records, and receipts.
Lost Income
Another significant portion of your accident claim is payment for your lost wages. This includes payment for the wages and employment benefits you lost while you were seeking medical treatment, as well as any reduction in your long-term earning capacity.
Property Damage
You could receive payment for the costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.
Pain and Suffering
Minnesota law allows you to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, and other losses in car accidents involving serious injuries.
What Is My St. Paul Car Accident Case Worth?
One of the most common questions car accident victims ask us is, “What is my car accident case worth?” However, this is not an easy question to answer because every case is unique.
Various factors can affect the value of your claim, including the following:
- The nature and severity of your injury
- The identity and number of defendants
- The available insurance
- How the accident impacted your life
- Whether you contributed to the accident
An experienced car accident lawyer in St. Paul can review the circumstances surrounding your case to determine the potential compensation that may be available.
Contact Our St. Paul Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
You may be eligible for compensation for the damages you suffered in a St. Paul car accident. A lawyer from Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can evaluate your claim, explain your legal options, and handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on your recovery.
We provide a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us to learn more about your legal rights.
Turn to our St. Paul car accident attorneys for help. Our lawyers have been named in the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers and have recovered more than $90 million. Contact us today at (800) 292-1979 for your free case review.
