Rochester Personal Injury Attorneys Representing Auto Accident Victims
If you have been in a car accident and were injured, then you should contact our car accident attorneys in Rochester immediately. Car accidents have severe, life-altering consequences for victims and their loved ones. In addition to the physical and emotional trauma that can require a lifetime of treatment, victims may suffer financially due to lost wages and high medical bills. Furthermore, Minnesota’s complex insurance system can involve filling out complicated paperwork and dealing with various insurance agencies, both frustrating and overwhelming people who are already coping with a stressful situation.
Unfortunately, dealing with the fall-out from a car accident doesn’t end when the car crash scene is cleared. Having an experienced car accident lawyer who is familiar with Minnesota’s car insurance system help you navigate the process will maximize the damages you receive through your claim.
The skilled car accident attorneys at Patterson Dahlberg have extensive experience dealing with the complex no-fault insurance system and are dedicated to ensuring you are properly compensated for your Minnesota car accident injuries. We specialize in insurance claims, giving us in-depth knowledge and understanding of insurance laws. Let our experience work for you.
Minnesota Car Accident Laws
Under Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system, car accident victims are entitled to recover a certain amount of medical expenses lost wages and other economic losses from their own automobile insurance. Additionally, you may be entitled to recover damages from the driver responsible for your injuries, including future lost wages, future medical bills, and pain and suffering.
It is entirely possible to have a car accident claim that involves three or four different insurance companies. Understanding how to properly assert those auto accident claims without jeopardizing any of your insurance coverage is vital. That’s why it’s in your best interest to have an attorney with a thorough knowledge of Minnesota insurance laws help you with your personal injury and wrongful death claims.
How Does Liability Insurance Factor In A Automobile Accident?
Liability insurance is a type of car insurance that covers damages or injuries that you cause to other people or their property in a car accident. If you are found to be at fault for an accident, your liability insurance will typically cover the costs of any damages or injuries that you caused to the other party.
In most states, all drivers are required to have at least a minimum amount of liability insurance. This minimum amount is set by the state and is intended to cover the costs of any damages or injuries that you may cause in an accident. If the damages or injuries that you cause in an accident exceed your liability insurance coverage, you may be personally responsible for paying the additional costs.
If you are involved in a car accident and the other party is found to be at fault, their liability insurance will typically cover the costs of any damages or injuries that you suffered as a result of the accident. If the other party does not have liability insurance or if their coverage is insufficient to cover your losses, you may be able to seek damages from them directly or file a claim with your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it.
It is important to keep in mind that liability insurance only covers damages or injuries that you cause to others in an accident. It does not cover damages to your own vehicle or any injuries that you sustain in an accident. For this type of coverage, you will need to have collision coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your car insurance policy.
What Do I Do If an Insurance Company Calls Me After A Car Accident?
Kindly decline a statement and call an experienced Minneapolis car accident attorney. If an insurance company calls you after a car accident, it is important to be prepared and know what to expect. Here are some tips for handling a call from an insurance company after a car accident:
- Stay calm: The insurance company representative may ask you to provide a statement about the accident. It is important to stay calm and not get overly emotional or upset during the call.
- Be honest: You should be honest when answering questions from the insurance company. Do not exaggerate or make up any details about the accident.
- Do not admit fault: Do not admit fault or say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. The insurance company may try to use your statements against you later on.
- Get the name and contact information of the insurance company representative: Make sure to get the name and contact information of the insurance company representative who is calling you.
- Do not provide a recorded statement: You are not required to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company. If the representative asks for a recorded statement, you can simply tell them that you do not feel comfortable providing one at this time.
- Get legal advice: If you are unsure about how to proceed or if you have any concerns about the insurance company’s call, you may want to consider seeking legal advice. An attorney can help you understand your rights and advise you on how to proceed.
It is important to keep in mind that the insurance company’s primary goal is to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out on a claim. They may try to get you to say things that will help them do this, so it is important to be cautious and not provide any information that you are not comfortable sharing.
What Is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Insurance and How Does It Factor In A Car Accident?
Underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance is a type of car insurance that provides coverage for damages or injuries that you suffer in a car accident caused by another driver who does not have enough liability insurance to cover your losses.
If you are involved in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should cover the costs of any damages or injuries that you suffer as a result of the accident. However, if the other driver does not have enough liability insurance to cover your losses or if they do not have any insurance at all, you may be able to file a claim with your own UIM coverage to seek additional compensation.
UIM coverage is typically optional and is not required by law. However, it can provide important protection if you are involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver. If you do not have UIM coverage, you may be personally responsible for paying any damages or injuries that you suffer in an accident that are not covered by the other driver’s insurance.
It is important to keep in mind that UIM coverage only applies if the other driver is at fault for the accident. If you are found to be at fault for the accident, your UIM coverage will not provide any protection. In this case, you may be responsible for paying any damages or injuries that you caused to the other party.
Minnesota Car Crash Statistics
According to Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, in 2017 there were:
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78,465 traffic crashes reported to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
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145,168 motor vehicles involved in the reported crashes
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175,115 people involved in these crashes
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358 fatalities related to car accidents
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29,412 people injured in Minnesota motor vehicle accidents.
Additionally, traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of death in young people under the age of 30.
On average, every day in 2017 there were:
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215 vehicle crashes
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1 death in those crashes
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81 injuries related to motor vehicle accidents.
On average in the past 10 years, meanwhile, approximately 400 people have died and 30,500 people injured in Minnesota roadway crashes.
Car Crash Causes
The most frequently cited car crash causes are related to driver behavior. These include issues such as driver inattention, driver distraction, failure to yield, and illegal or unsafe speed. Another significant factor in Minnesota car accidents is driving under the influence. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, changing human behavior is one of the main ways to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries.
Minnesota Automobile Crash Injuries
Among the injuries most frequently associated with a passenger vehicle accident:
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Head injury
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Facial injury
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Internal injury
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Fractures
What to do After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, call the police to report the crash. If possible, take photos to document the damage and the accident scene, and write down the details surrounding the crash. If you have suffered injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you have been seen in the hospital, see your regular medical care provider as soon as possible as he or she may document additional injuries not noted in the hospital.
Inform your automobile insurance company of the accident and of any injuries you sustained. Contact an experienced car accident attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
Hiring a Car Crash Lawyer After a Car Accident
Insurance companies look out for their best interests, not the best interests of car crash victims, so it is in their interest to pay out as little of a claim as possible. This can mean finding unreasonable grounds for delaying or denying a claim such as arguing an injury was pre-existing or requiring duplicate paperwork be filled out.
An experienced car crash lawyer can manage the complicated insurance system and speak to any witnesses or experts to build a strong claim for you. While you deal with the stress of recovering from your injuries, our attorneys can deal with the insurance companies and their adjusters. We’ll advise you of your rights and your obligations and make sure your paperwork is filed properly and on time. We’ll build a strong claim to maximize your compensation.
How Can I Collect Damages After a Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident and you believe that the other party was at fault, you may be able to collect damages from them to cover any losses you have suffered as a result of the accident. There are several steps you can take to try to collect damages after a car accident:
- Document the accident: It is important to document the accident as thoroughly as possible. This includes taking photos of the damage to your vehicle, any injuries you sustained, and the scene of the accident. It can also be helpful to make a written record of what happened, including the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- File a claim with the other party’s insurance company: If the other driver was at fault, you will need to file a claim with their insurance company to seek compensation for your damages. You should provide the insurance company with all relevant documentation, including the police report and any medical bills or other documentation of your losses.
- Negotiate with the insurance company: The insurance company may offer you a settlement to cover your damages. If you believe the settlement is fair, you can accept it and move on. If you believe the settlement is too low, you can try to negotiate with the insurance company to get a higher amount.
- Consult with a lawyer: If you are unable to reach a settlement with the insurance company or if you believe that the other party was not at fault and you need to seek damages from them directly, you may want to consult with a lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your legal options and represent you in negotiations or in court if necessary.
It is important to keep in mind that the process of collecting damages after a car accident can be complex and may take some time. It is a good idea to seek the advice of a lawyer or other legal professional if you are unsure about your rights or how to proceed.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents and automobile accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in Minnesota. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident—whether you were a driver or a passenger—in Rochester MN or Southeastern MN, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Patterson Dahlberg have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to handle your car crash insurance claim.
Contact a car accident personal injury lawyer at Patterson Dahlberg to discuss your situation. We can guide you and your family through this critical time and will fight to ensure you are properly compensated for the harm caused to you. You deserve the best representation; we’ll make sure you have it.