There are many different types of car accidents, of course – and all of them come with a risk of horrible injuries and tragic fatalities. Rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, rollovers and other kinds of wrecks kill hundreds of people each year in Minnesota, and injure thousands of others. People’s lives can change forever in a split second, and oftentimes due to the negligence of other motorists.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident, or you’ve tragically lost a loved one because of the carelessness of another driver, the skilled vehicle accident attorneys with Sand Law will be here for you. We have the resources and the knowledge it takes to help you obtain the money you deserve, and we will work passionately to help you see that justice is served.
Get in touch with us as soon as you can to schedule a free consultation. You can use our online form, or you can give us a call at 651-291-7263.
Here’s a look at just how common vehicle accident fatalities in Minnesota really are, and information on some of the different types of accidents that occur.
Minnesota Car Accident Statistics
The years 2020 and 2021 were especially deadly on Minnesota roads. Even though there were fewer vehicles on the roads for much of 2020 due to the pandemic, 394 people lost their lives – the most since 2015. Speeding contributed to 122 of those deaths, and failure to wear a seatbelt was cited as a contributing factor in 105 fatalities.
The next year was even worse. While an increase in fatalities may have been expected with more people on the roads in 2021, the numbers were still staggering – 497 people died in Minnesota vehicle accidents. This was the highest number of deaths in 14 years. Excessive speed was once again a leading factor in these tragedies, contributing to 162 deaths. Across the U.S., more than 20,000 people died between the months of January and June alone.
Here are just some of the kinds of vehicle accidents that contribute to these horrible death totals.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident, as the name implies, happens when a vehicle rolls over on its side or its roof. While SUVs and other high-profile vehicles may be more prone to this type of accident, it can happen to any kind of vehicle.
When someone tries to make a sharp turn at a high rate of speed, a rollover can be the result. Also, road obstacles can cause a motorist to swerve suddenly, leading to the vehicle losing its stability.
Rear-End Accidents
This kind of accident, of course, occurs when one vehicle strikes the rear of another. It will usually happen in areas where motorists have to stop, such as red lights and stop signs. But rear-end collisions can also take place on highways, when someone has to suddenly hit the brakes to avoid hitting something.
There can be many causes of rear-end collisions, but distracted driving is one of the most common. Someone is too busy talking or sending a text on their phone to pay attention to the road in front of them. They can easily slam into the back of another car as a result. Motorists also cause rear-end wrecks by following too closely, speeding, and for many other reasons.
Side Swipe Accidents
A side-swipe accident usually takes place on a busy road that has several lanes. An aggressive driver – maybe one with road rage – will cut off another motorist without bothering to use their turn indicator or look at their blind spot. Like just about all types of vehicle accidents, side-swipe accidents can lead to severe injuries, or, in some cases, fatalities.
Side-Impact or T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are among the worst, resulting in horrible injuries, deaths, and extensive property damage. The reason is that the car being struck is usually at a complete stop, or moving very slowly. This subjects drivers and passengers to incredible forces that can be devastating.
The most common location of a T-bone accident is an intersection. One car hits another in a perpendicular manner, with the two vehicles forming a “T” shape. Negligence is usually the main reason why this happens. The at-fault driver will run a red light or a stop sign and slam into the victim’s automobile. Or, one driver might fail to yield when they should, plowing into an oncoming car.
How the Type of Accident Affects the Type and Severity of Injuries
Different accidents lead to different consequences. For example, a T-Bone accident could heighten the risk of a severe head injury because the victim’s head slams into the side window after impact. A rear-end collision can cause a victim’s neck to violently snap back and forth, resulting in whiplash or even a spinal cord injury.
Of course, these and other injuries can be incredibly expensive to treat. They can also leave a victim unable to work for weeks, months or even years. Medical bills and lost wages are just two examples of damages, or monetary losses. In order to recover these losses, an accident victim will often have to file a lawsuit against the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
An experienced attorney will be able to conduct an investigation into an accident, gathering the evidence needed to help make a client’s case as strong as possible.
Contact a Minnesota Car Accident Attorney Today
In order to have the best possible chance of obtaining the money you deserve, you’re going to need to hire an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence.
Evidence can disappear quickly, due to changing weather conditions, road construction and other reasons. The sooner you hire legal help, the sooner an investigation can begin. Sand Law attorneys have years of experience helping car accident victims. And we know how to gather the proof they need to have the best chance of winning their case.
Learn more about us by contacting us online or calling 651-291-7263 for a free case review.