Motor vehicle accidents are unfortunately a frequent occurrence throughout Minnesota. Most accidents are caused by careless, distracted or inattentive drivers. Drugs and alcohol frequently play a role. Drivers talking on their cellphones or texting while they drive are another significant threat. Sometimes more than one driver can be a fault in causing an accident. The damages and injuries stemming from a car accident can range from fairly minor to utterly catastrophic. If you have been injured due to the negligent driving of another, the Meshbesher Law Firm can help you.
The Meshbesher Law Firm handles every kind of automobile accident claim. If you have been involved in a major car crash involving broken bones, lacerations, herniated discs, paralysis, brain injuries or the loss of a loved one’s life, we have the experience to help you get your life back on track. If you have been involved in a more minor accident resulting in property damage and the painful ligament tears and muscle strains and sprains commonly known as whiplash, the Meshbesher Law Firm stands ready to help you get you the benefits you deserve. No matter how large or small your accident may be, you can benefit from an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. Call Us. We’ll Help.
Car accident claims in Minnesota are divided into several portions. First, there is a claim against your own insurance company for medical expenses and wage loss. Minnesota’s no-fault law is governed by Minnesota Statutes §65B.41 through §65B.71. Any person with injuries arising from the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle is entitled to receive up to $20,000 in medical and $20,000 in wage loss benefits from their own insurance company, regardless of who is ultimately found to be at fault in causing the accident. For this reason, it is called a no-fault claim. Additional benefits such as replacement services, prescription reimbursement, mileage and funeral expenses are also available. Pedestrians and bicyclists injured in a motor vehicle accident in Minnesota must seek no-fault benefits from their own, completely uninvolved vehicle. If a pedestrian or bicyclist does not own a car, they can then seek no-fault insurance benefits from the involved vehicle’s insurance. Although most vehicles have the minimum $20,000 in wage and medical benefits for no-fault coverage, certain provisions in individual policies can increase the amount of coverage provided.
In addition to the claim for Minnesota no-fault benefits, the injured party has the right to bring a claim against the driver of the vehicle causing the accident. Minnesota is a comparative fault state, meaning that so long as the other driver is more than 50 percent at fault in causing the collision, he or she can be held liable for the property damage, car repairs, rental car expenses, medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of lifestyle caused by his or her negligence. The practical effect of this is that being partially at fault in causing an accident does not preclude recovery in Minnesota.
Finally, depending upon the severity of your injuries and the amount of insurance available through the at-fault driver, you may be able to bring a claim for underinsured or, in the case of a driver carrying no insurance, uninsured motorist benefits. All insurance policies issued in Minnesota carry this UM/UIM coverage. This means that there may be excess insurance available through your own policy if the policy limits of the at-fault driver are not sufficient to compensate you for your injuries. There may be other insurance policies to tap into, as well. It is critically important that all avenues of insurance recovery be thoroughly explored in order to make sure that you are fully compensated.
The steps you take after a car accident in Minnesota can significantly impact your physical and financial recovery. While some of these steps should be taken in the immediate aftermath of the accident, others should take place in the weeks and months following.
Immediately after a car accident, taking these steps can reduce the impact of your physical injuries and set the stage for a successful auto insurance claim:
Over the weeks and months following the car accident that caused your injuries, take these additional steps to help maximize your compensation:
The Meshbesher Law Firm works on a one-third contingency fee basis on all automobile accident claims. This means we don’t get paid until we get you your recovery. If we cannot get you a recovery, you do not owe us for the time we have spent working on your case.
To speak to one of our experienced Minnesota car accident lawyers, call us at 612-349-5215. You can also e-mail us your questions. The Meshbesher Law Firm will fight for your right to be compensated for the injuries and damages you or a loved one may have sustained.
