What is the Average Settlement for a Head-on Collision in Minnesota?
When a crash happens, the damages can range from minor bumps and bruises to life-altering injuries that leave you unable to care for yourself. While any collision can be dangerous, a head-on collision can cause more extensive injuries that leave you devastated and suffering both financially and emotionally. Because of the range of damage, as well as the frequent severity of head-on collisions, you need to know ahead of time what your claim is worth.
However, calculating the average settlement for a head-on collision in Minnesota can be tricky. Accidents can range from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars. Because this range is so broad, you may need to speak with a reputable St. Paul car accident attorney at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law about the specifics of your case so that we can identify what your claim is worth and pursue compensation in court.
Head-on Collisions Can Come with More Severe Dangers
When we discuss head-on collisions, it is not unreasonable to assume much more severe injuries or even fatalities during these accidents. When two vehicles collide head on, it can place significantly more force on the body, leading to catastrophic injuries. In fact, head-on collisions are frequently more dangerous than other accident types, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).
While the Minnesota Department of Transportation does not specify yearly amounts, more than 1,000 head-on collisions caused serious injury or death between 2016 and 2020. These crashes accounted for 11% of all crashes involving injury or death during this time.
This number is significant because, for a relatively small number of accidents for the entire state, head-on collisions make up a notable portion of accidents causing injury or death. As you pursue your head-on collision lawsuit, keeping in mind how dangerous head-on accidents are can help you better understand the severity of your injuries. It can also help our personal injury attorneys identify the many specific losses you have suffered.
How Our Team Can Help You Maximize Your Damage Recovery
When making a head-on collision claim, you may feel that your first option is to simply identify the average settlement amount. However, because these accidents can range so much in severity, accepting an average settlement may be far less than what your claim is actually worth. You may need more tools or more time and energy to identify approximately what your claim is worth.
Tyroler Leonard Injury Law is ready to step in when this happens. We offer tools and resources to help you maximize the value of your claim, identifying the specific costs and suffering you experienced because of it. This can help you avoid missing vital parts of your damages, which can significantly increase your settlement value.
Just as importantly, we also represent you in the courtroom. We know that your injuries may limit your ability to share in the pursuit of your claim, which is why we focus on representing clients and aggressively pursuing the full value of their claim. We never want any of our clients to settle for less.
Identifying the Cause of Your Head-on Collision
Head-on collisions can happen at any time, leaving you devastated by your severe injuries and losses. These accidents can happen when another vehicle crosses over into your lane, often through a loss of control of the car, and strikes you head-on. Below are a few common reasons for head-on collisions:
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Loss of control through parts failure
- Dangerous weather conditions.
Unfortunately, it can also be difficult to avoid a head-on collision. For example, if a driver falls asleep behind the wheel and drifts into your lane on a two-lane highway, you may have nowhere else to go. Talk with us about how your accident happened and what you can do to pursue a settlement.
Meet Our Team at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law
Our team is comprised of dedicated, experienced legal representatives with a focus on personal injury law. Our firm is led by Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard, two trial-tested attorneys with the commitment and drive your claim needs. We offer significant benefits, including the following:
- Attorneys admitted to the bar in both Minnesota and Wisconsin
- Decades of combined experience
- A dedication to serving our clients.
If you are struggling to overcome your injuries and suffering, contact our team. We offer quality service to all our clients. When you need a legal team who is ready to work hard to get the compensation you are due, do not hesitate to reach out.
Certain Factors May Increase the Value of Your Settlement
There is no singular answer for how much your head-on collision claim is worth. However, certain factors can increase or decrease the value of your settlement, depending on the specifics of the accident. We can discuss the following with you as we prepare your claim:
The Severity of Your Damages
Head-on collisions are frequently much more severe than other injuries, but you may walk away from a head-on collision relatively unscathed. Depending on how your vehicle is struck and at what speed, your injuries may be much less severe than others. Because of this range of possibilities, identifying how severe your injuries are is essential to calculate the value of your settlement.
Certain injuries can lead to much higher settlements. For example, if you suffered a traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), you may need around-the-clock care to help you navigate the world with these cognitive losses. If you have experienced extensive injuries like this, we can help you make complex calculations to determine your claim’s worth.
Responses by the Insurance Companies
When you are involved in a car accident, you expect your insurance policy to cover you. However, Minnesota and Wisconsin are fault states, according to Sec. 65B.49 MN Statutes and Wisconsin Legislature: 344.65, respectively, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurer is responsible for covering your losses. Unfortunately, depending on the value of your claim, the insurance company may try to avoid paying.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they may be unwilling to compensate for the total value of your case. Because head-on collisions can be so severe, your injuries may be expensive. That means the insurance company may try to lowball your settlement, deny your case, or place the blame on you.
Whether You Were Partly at Fault for the Accident
When blame is placed on you, it can impact the value of your case. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01 and Wisconsin Legislature Section 895.045, a driver’s settlement may be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the accident. In some cases, this can even lead to a dismissal of your claim.
For example, the at-fault driver may have swerved into your lane, but you were distracted by your GPS. Because your attention was not solely focused on the road, the at-fault driver may argue that you were partly at fault for not driving defensively and moving out of the way. If you are not prepared to fight back, that can reduce the value of your claim.
Because head-on collisions can be so severe, getting the full value of your case is vital. If the at-fault party tries to place the blame on you, we are prepared to defend your case. Taking this step can help you maximize the value of your case and protect your compensation, which is vital to recovering the many expenses you are rapidly accruing.
Our Minnesota Car Accident Law Firm Provides the Top-Quality Care You Need to Maximize Your Claim’s Value
When you are involved in a head-on collision, it can change your life in frightening, dangerous ways. You may have difficulty overcoming the suffering you have experienced, and that difficulty can be compounded if you settle for less than what your claim is worth.
At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we understand the vast range of injuries and expenses a Minnesota head-on collision can cause, and we are here to help you calculate the exact value of your case. We can even start with a free consultation, where we can review the details of your case and offer specifics on the guidance we can provide. To learn more about our services, simply reach out by calling 651-259-1113 or filling out our online contact form.
Attorney Isaac Tyroler
Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]
