In the wake of a car accident, victims and their loved ones begin an uphill battle. It is almost impossible to simply focus on recovery. Medical expenses accumulate while victims lose wages due to their missed time from work.
To make matters worse, receiving compensation from insurance companies is rarely straightforward. If you have been injured in a Minnesota car accident then consider turning to the award-winning services of the personal injury attorneys at Sand Law.
The legal team at Sand Law LLC is here to lighten your burden and help you get the settlement you deserve. Our attorneys have vast experience in challenging both insurance companies and defense lawyers to ensure our clients are well-compensated. Finally, there is no cost to you unless you win. Contact us for a free consultation, where we will help you to understand your rights and options.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Minnesota Car Accident?
You can recover a wide variety of damages in a car accident claim. This may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Lost Wages, Future Earnings, and Earning Capacity
You can recover lost wages due to hospitalization, therapy, doctors’ appointments, and at-home recovery. Additionally, car accidents that diminish your ability to earn money in the future can also entitle you to additional compensation.
Past, Present, and Future Medical Bills
The timeline of treatment can begin with a costly ambulance ride and extend beyond the length of a legal case, so both past and prospective medical expenses can be considered. You can recover medical bills for the following:
- Ambulance rides
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescriptions
- Doctors or specialists
- Physical therapy
- Mental health services
- In-home care
- Medical devices or equipment
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress
Car accidents can compromise your comfort and overall happiness. Your quality of life and psychological state are considered when damages are quantified.
For example, if you used to be an avid runner before your accident and now you’re unable to run or even walk, you would receive compensation because of that change to your quality of life. The greater a change you’ve experienced, the more compensation you’ll receive in this category.
Permanent Injury and Disability
If an accident leaves you with a chronic health condition or leaves you unable to work indefinitely, you can seek compensation for treatment and lost wages.
Disfigurement and Scarring
Scars and disfigurements are a source of distress that can even impact how others perceive you in social and professional settings. Offending drivers can be held financially responsible.
Wrongful Death and Funeral Expenses
When an automobile accident results in the loss of life, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed against the at-fault parties on behalf of the family or other dependents up to three years after the auto accident to cover the cost of funeral and burial expenses.
Property Damage and Car Rental
Not only can you seek the cost of repairs to your vehicle or real estate, but you are also able to pursue rental expenses accrued while your property is under repair.
Replacement Services
A car accident may force a family to pay for services they typically manage themselves, such as shopping, housekeeping, and lawn work.
Other General Damages
Any miscellaneous expense that stems from an automobile accident can be considered for compensation.
Why Should I Hire Sand Law to Handle My Car Accident Case?
At Sand Law, your case will always be handled by an experienced attorney. Our team has overseen cases involving virtually every type of automobile accident, yet understands that each client and case is unique. Our first and most important step is to learn about the details specific to your situation.
We collaboratively customize strategies and communicate with our clients throughout the entire process. You will never be pressured to settle for lesser compensation. When necessary, Sand Law attorneys will take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After a Car Accident
After you have been involved in a Minnesota car accident, you should take certain steps to ensure your injuries are taken care of while protecting any potential claim for damages. The following nine steps are outlined in more detail in our article “WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST,” where you can also find a downloadable PDF for your phone.
1. Move to a safe area away from traffic and further danger.
2. Check yourself and the other driver for injuries.
3. Call the police right away.
4. Exchange information with the other driver(s).
5. Gather witness information, like name and number. This will be important later.
6. Take pictures and document as much evidence as possible.
7. Seek medical attention right away.
8. Keep a file of all your documents and relevant information.
9. Contact a personal injury attorney to help protect your interests.
The Importance of Seeking Immediate Medical Attention After a Minnesota Car Accident
Receiving immediate medical attention after a car accident is vital. As soon as you leave the accident scene, you should head to an emergency room or urgent care for an evaluation. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, this evaluation is critical.
If you are injured and end up seeking medical attention late, insurance companies can use this against you. They may claim that your injuries must not have been serious because you didn’t seek immediate attention, and they may offer you less compensation because of it. Don’t give them a reason to do so. Seek medication attention immediately after your accident.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Minnesota Car Accidents
A car accident can result in many different types of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. While some may walk away with only a scratch and a bruise, others can suffer from more complex injuries. Injuries are typically expensive, and you should always consider hiring an auto accident attorney if you have any damages because of the motor vehicle collision.
Common types of injuries associated with car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, such as whiplash or coup/contrecoup injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tears
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Fractures
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Our Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Car Accidents
From fender benders to totaled vehicles, all types of accidents can require legal intervention.
Truck Accidents
We represent truck accident clients against truck drivers and companies that own these commercial vehicles; these companies typically have sizable insurance policies.
Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, motorcycle riders or their surviving loved ones often need to seek compensation due to careless drivers who fail to observe motorcycles on the road.
Pedestrian and Crosswalk Accidents
Drivers who miss traffic signals or fail to respect a pedestrian’s right of way are commonly proven to be at fault in pedestrian accidents. Having no protective barrier, travelers on foot often face long and painful recoveries after pedestrian accidents.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists are frequently injured in car accidents. In recent years, bicycle accident fatalities have been on the rise.
Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents
As a relatively new form of transportation, ridesharing can bring about complicated facets that a lawyer can help you navigate when filing an Uber or Lyft accident claim.
Accidents Involving Children
As especially vulnerable victims, injured children are perhaps the most in need of legal advocacy to gain compensation for their injuries and personal suffering.
Risks of Being Involved in a Car Accident in Minnesota
Whether on foot or in a vehicle, every person accepts at least a minimal risk when deciding to travel. Minnesotans, much like residents of other states, could encounter distracted drivers, drunk drivers, reckless or enraged drivers, or drowsy drivers who are compromising road safety.
Inclement weather, be it rain or snow, is another reason for Minnesota drivers to be cautious on the road. Everyday risks, such as speeding, can do the most damage. According to The Office of Traffic Safety, speeding leads to more fatalities than any other factor on Minnesota roads.
Insurance Companies are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies are businesses, so naturally, their goal is to make and keep as much money as possible. They have their own legal departments that are trained to look for ways to reduce how much they pay out and to completely deny claims if they find the right loopholes. Therefore, it is critical to work with an attorney who is familiar with their tactics.
Contact Us for Help with Your Car Accident Case
If you or someone close to you has suffered an automobile accident due to another party’s negligence, contact Sand Law today. Our Minnesota car accident attorneys will guide you through this difficult process and pursue the utmost compensation on your behalf.
Initial consultations are free and can help you determine which course of action is best for you. You can reach us at 651-291-7263 or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a car accident lawyer?
Hiring a car accident lawyer is the best thing you can do to increase the value of a settlement obtained through a Minnesota car accident claim. Car accident lawyers are advocates for your rights who watch for underhanded tricks of the insurance company while building your case to get you the most money possible.
They compile evidence you may miss, negotiate with the insurance company, and develop a strategy tailor-made for your specific case to maximize your settlement. Car accident lawyers are essential if you want the insurance company to take you seriously. Trying to negotiate a settlement yourself is done at a disadvantage against the insurance company’s legal team.
Your Minnesota car accident attorney knows what to look for and how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you a settlement that will properly compensate your damages. If it comes down to taking your car accident claim to trial, an auto accident attorney can represent you and help you through the process to victory.
Can I hire another kind of lawyer for my Minnesota car accident claim?
Some people attempt to have lawyers who practice in other fields of law help them with their car accident cases. This is highly advised against since there is a separation between these different legal fields for a reason. Hiring a lawyer you know that is not a personal injury lawyer let alone one that specializes in car accidents can lead to mistakes that can harm your case due to the lack of experience they may have.
In most situations, having a lawyer with the incorrect expertise working on your case is actively detrimental to your claim since they might make assumptions and attempt to use strategies that may work in their field but will meet disastrous results in personal injury cases.
Who can I sue after a car accident?
Filing a third-party claim after a car accident requires a defendant party that can be considered liable for your injuries. This party needs to have done something or failed to do something contrary to what would be considered reasonable care. This negligence is the basis for liability and can be exhibited by many entities other than just drivers.
Your car accident injuries can be caused by a vehicle malfunction due to manufacturer negligence. Another driver could crash into you while drunk on the job and leave their employer liable. Even dangerous conditions such as unmaintained roads and infrastructure can leave entities like local or state governments liable for your damages.
Can I file a car accident lawsuit if I am a passenger?
Passengers injured in Minnesota car accidents can seek compensation for their injuries in a third-party car accident claim but only if they have met certain criteria. You will first have to go through your own PIP coverage due to Minnesota’s no-fault rules that provide $20,000 in medical expenses and mileage and $20,000 in wage loss and replacement services.
If that is not enough then you can sue the at-fault party which can consist of either the other or your vehicle’s driver if you meet one of Minnesota’s required thresholds. These thresholds include:
- Sustaining a permanent injury
- Death
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- 60 days of disability
- Over $4,000 in medical bills
How much do a car accident lawyer’s services cost?
Your car accident lawyer will work for a contingent fee that consists of a percentage taken out of the settlement or court award they get you. This percentage is typically 33% gathered after they successfully settle your case or win at trial. If your car accident lawyer fails to get you anything then they get 33% of nothing which provides an incentive to maximize your settlement.