Maple Grove, MN, Car Accident Lawyer

Different Types of Injuries in Car Accidents

Our car accident lawyer in Maple Grove, MN, can file legal claims for a variety of injuries.

Preliminary data from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that as many as 42,060 people are estimated to have died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2020. The estimated rate of death on the roads in 2020 spiked 24% over the previous 12-month period, despite miles driven in 2020 dropping 13%. This increase in the rate of traffic deaths is the highest estimated year-over-year jump in 96 years, according to the NSC.

An estimated 4.8 million additional roadway users were seriously injured in car and truck accidents nationwide in 2020, and the estimated cost to society was about $474 billion, according to the NSC. There are several types of injuries that commonly occur in traffic accidents. Some of these include:

• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts, abrasions, and lacerations
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Burns
• Puncture wounds
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death.

Some common causes of vehicle crashes include:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, etc.)
• Failure to follow rules of the road
• Illegal lane changes
• Running through traffic lights and stop signs
• Ice, snow, rain, and inclement weather
• Vehicles with manufacturing defects.

Damages You May Be Entitled to After an Accident

When car accident lawyers in Maple Grove, MN, refer to damages you can receive after an accident, they are speaking about all the losses caused by the accident, whether it’s emotional, financial, or physical. There are three different categories of damages:

• Economic Damages: These damages include financial losses, such as medical bills, lost income from not being able to work, and other costs associated with your injuries.
• Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other losses that do not have a specific cost.
• Punitive Damages: These damages act as a punishment for reckless or malicious conduct. For example, if the accident was caused by drunk driving, you may be entitled to punitive damages.

Economic damages are easier to understand. For example, if you were charged $1,000 for the ambulance ride after the accident, then you want the insurance company for the at-fault driver to cover this bill. It’s also easy to figure out wage loss by calculating how many paychecks are missed. It’s the other damages that are harder to calculate; this is why it’s important to have experienced Maple Grove car accident lawyers on your side. It’s important that your lawyer also calculate future expenses related to the accident, such as loss of future wage-earning capacity or future medical bills.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Minnesota

In most cases, the statute of limitations for a car accident claim is six years in Minnesota.

The 6-year statute of limitations for Minnesota car accident lawsuits can be found at Minnesota Statutes section 541.05. There are a few scenarios in which the “clock” on the 6-year statute of limitations might be delayed. These include:

• If the injured person is under the age of 18, then the statute does not run until the later of 6 years or when the person turns 19 years old.
• If the injured person is legally insane, then the clock won’t start running until the period of legal disability is over (mental competence is restored). However, this filing deadline won’t be extended beyond five (5) years, and once sanity is restored, the suit must be filed within one (1) year. (Minnesota Statutes section 541.15.)

Comparative Negligence Rule in Minnesota

Maple Grove car accident claims follow a “modified comparative negligence” rule.

The comparative negligence rule looks at the relative degree of fault of each participant in the accident. You are paid out in damages based on your determined degree of responsibility for the crash. For example, if the other driver in the accident is 70% at fault then you are able to get 70% of the compensation. The other driver needs to be responsible for 50% in order for you to get any compensation at all for the accident.

Let’s take a look at an example that illustrates this rule. Suppose you’re driving to your mother’s house on a road where the speed limit is 40 mph, but you’re in a hurry so you’re driving 50 mph, 10 mph over the speed limit. In all other ways, you’re correctly following road signs and traffic rules. You enter an intersection where cross traffic has stop signs, but you do not. Suddenly, your car is hit broadside by another vehicle crossing the intersection after that car failed to stop at the stop sign.

In this scenario, you were driving over the speed limit, but the other driver failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into your car. Eventually, it’s determined that you are 25% at fault for the accident, and the other driver is 75% at fault. Let’s say the total damages for the accident are calculated to be $80,000.

Under Minnesota’s comparative fault rule, 25% (the percentage of fault assigned to you) will be subtracted from that $80,000. This means you could collect 75% of the total, or $60,000.

If you have additional questions about the particular facts in your case and how fault might be determined, talk to a skilled and experienced Maple Grove car accident lawyer at Tyroler Injury Law.

Proving Negligence for a Car Accident Claim in Maple Grove, MN

In order to have a successful lawsuit, your Maple Grove car accident attorney must prove the other individual in the accident was negligent. In order to prove negligence, you must also prove these elements:

1. The other driver was negligent in how he or she operated the vehicle. For example, the defendant was texting while driving, speeding, or ran a red light.
2. The plaintiff suffered injuries.
3. It was the defendant’s negligence that caused the injuries. Even if you were partly at fault for the accident, you must show that the other driver’s negligence was a substantial factor.

Why Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Maple Grove, MN?

There are a number of benefits to hiring a Maple Grove, MN, car accident lawyer. One of the main reasons to work with a trusted attorney is to handle the insurance company for you. Insurance companies want to make money, and the adjusters are trained at negotiating lower settlements. A lawyer can also help prove liability for your injuries, determine the true value of your injuries, negotiate a fair settlement, file a personal injury lawsuit if necessary, and help explain the regulations and laws that apply to your claim. It’s always possible to handle car accident claims on your own, but having the right Maple Grove car accident attorney can make sure you get the compensation you deserve and can put this accident behind you so you can move on with your life.

Choosing the Best Maple Grove Car Accident Attorney

Skill, experience, and a track record of success make all the difference.

Choosing the right Maple Grove car accident lawyer can make or break your case. Not all car accident lawyers in Maple Grove, MN, are created equal, and it’s important to work with an attorney who has the skills, experience, and determination you need to make sure you get what is fair. Attorney Isaac Tyroler and Attorney Rachel Sperling Leonard are among the best and the brightest. They are compassionate with clients and understand that many have been through traumatic experiences. At the same time, they are aggressive negotiators and fierce litigators. We take each case personally and are entirely focused on getting our clients the justice they deserve. We are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies to negotiate a favorable settlement or litigate a case in front of a judge and jury when necessary. We will not stop until we have achieved the best possible outcome for every client. To learn more about what our satisfied clients have to say, you can read these client testimonials.

Contact Our Maple Grove Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need help getting the compensation you deserve, Tyroler Injury Law can help. We have a track record of success in holding careless drivers accountable for the injuries and harm they cause. We represent all our clients aggressively and fight for their rights. To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free initial consultation at 651-259-1113.