A night out in the North Loop, a Twins game at Target Field, or a quick drive home on I-35W should never end in tragedy. Yet every year, families across the Twin Cities are hurt by drivers who chose to get behind the wheel after drinking.
If you or someone you love has been hit by an impaired driver, our Minneapolis drunk driving accident lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
We know this is a difficult season. You may be dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and a constant replay of what happened. Our team has spent decades standing up for injured people across Minnesota, and we bring that same care and commitment to every drunk driving crash case we take on.
You deserve honest answers and strong advocacy, and that is exactly what we provide. Contact Tyroler Leonard Injury Law today to discuss your case and legal options during a free consultation.
While you focus on getting better, let our Minneapolis drunk driving accident lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve.
Table of contents
- Why Clients Choose Tyroler Leonard Injury Law
- Do I Have a Drunk Driving Accident Case?
- Who May Be Liable for a Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident
- Compensation Available in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit
- Evidence Used to Prove a Drunk Driving Accident Case
- Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim
- How Our Minneapolis Drunk Driving Lawyers Can Help You
- Results We Have Achieved for Clients
- FAQs Answered by a Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Speak With Our Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
Why Clients Choose Tyroler Leonard Injury Law
When you have been hurt by a drunk driver in Minneapolis, the lawyers you hire matter. Our team combines real courtroom experience with a personal approach that puts clients first. We take the time to understand your story, your injuries, and your goals before we build a plan for your case.
Here is what our clients tell us sets our firm apart:
- 62 years of combined experience handling injury-related cases across Minnesota and Wisconsin
- More than $75 million recovered in settlements and verdicts for injured clients
- Quick communication that is not limited to business hours when you have an urgent concern
- Spanish-speaking support so language is never a barrier to quality legal representation
- Trial-ready preparation on every case, because insurance companies take our team seriously
- A collaborative approach where your voice and goals drive the strategy
We are not a firm that passes you off to a case manager and disappears. Attorneys Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard are personally involved in our cases, and we treat each client the way we would want our own family to be treated. When you call, you get real people who care about the outcome. Contact us today at (952) 567-2488 to discuss how we can help you.
Do I Have a Drunk Driving Accident Case?
If another driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they hit you, there is a strong chance you have a valid injury claim. Under Minnesota law, driving while impaired is covered by Chapter 169A of the Minnesota Statutes, and a driver who breaks these laws and causes harm is typically considered negligent as a matter of law.
You may have a case if:
- The other driver was arrested, cited, or charged with DWI
- The driver had a blood alcohol content at or above the legal limit
- You were a passenger in a vehicle driven by an impaired driver
- A pedestrian or cyclist was struck by a drunk driver
- You lost a loved one in a crash caused by an impaired driver
Even if you are not sure whether alcohol was a factor, our team can investigate the crash, pull police reports, and review evidence to determine what really happened. A free consultation costs you nothing and can give you clarity about your next step.
Who May Be Liable for a Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident
One of the most important parts of a drunk driving case is identifying every party who may share responsibility for your injuries. The impaired driver is the obvious defendant, but Minnesota law recognizes that other people and businesses can sometimes be held accountable as well.
Parties that may be liable include:
- The impaired driver who caused the crash through their negligent choice
- Bars, restaurants, or liquor stores that illegally served alcohol to someone who was already obviously intoxicated or underage, under Minnesota's Dram Shop Act
- Employers if the driver was working at the time of the crash
- Vehicle owners who knowingly let an impaired person borrow their car
Minnesota's Dram Shop Act can be a powerful tool when a commercial establishment contributed to the crash by overserving the driver. These dram shop laws have strict notice requirements and deadlines, which is why it helps to speak with experienced lawyers early.
Our team of Minneapolis drunk driving accident attorneys knows how to investigate bar receipts, surveillance footage, and witness statements to build this kind of claim.
Compensation Available in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit
There are two categories of compensatory damages you can seek after a drunk driving accident. Insurance companies will usually only pay for economic losses, which include items such as:
- Medical bills
- Emergency transportation costs
- ER, ICU, and surgery fees
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
- Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle
- Lost wages while you cannot work.
Generally, you can recover up to the PIP policy limit. In Minnesota, this is a minimum of $40,000 total ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical losses). If your damages are higher than this, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit, often supported by medical expert witnesses, to obtain the full amount.
Non-Economic Damages Thresholds
Non-economic losses, which address your pain and suffering, are more complicated. Your Minneapolis drunk driving accident attorney must convince the jury the liable party was negligent and that your non-economic damages meet a threshold defined by Minnesota Statute §65B.51). The threshold can be any of the following:
- Your medical bills total more than $4,000 (diagnostic X-rays excluded)
- You have a permanent disfigurement.
- You have a permanent injury.
- You were disabled for at least 60 days.
You can also claim non-economic losses if your loved one dies as a result of the accident. To do so, you would file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable parties to recover the deceased’s medical bills, loss of income, and final arrangements.
Evidence Used to Prove a Drunk Driving Accident Case
Strong drunk driving cases are built on strong evidence. While a DWI arrest certainly helps, we do not rely on the criminal case alone. Our drunk driving accident lawyers conduct our own independent investigation to build the fullest possible picture of what happened.
Evidence we commonly use includes:
- Police reports and crash scene diagrams
- Breathalyzer and blood test results
- Body camera and dashcam footage
- Field sobriety test recordings
- Surveillance video from nearby businesses
- Receipts and service records from bars or restaurants
- Witness statements from other drivers and bystanders
- Expert reports from accident reconstruction specialists
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
Gathering this information quickly matters because video footage is often deleted within days, and witnesses forget important details. The sooner you call our team, the better positioned we are to preserve the evidence that can make or break your claim.
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim
Once you are home and beginning the process of recovery, the choices you make can affect the strength of your case. Insurance companies look for any reason to reduce or deny valid claims, and small missteps can create big problems down the road.
Common mistakes to avoid include:
- Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without legal guidance
- Accepting a quick settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Posting about the crash or your activities on social media
- Skipping follow-up medical appointments or ignoring doctor instructions
- Waiting too long to talk with injury lawyers about your options
- Signing medical releases that give insurers access to your entire medical history
If you are unsure whether something you said or signed could hurt your case, let us take a look. Our team can often undo early damage or steer the case back on track if we get involved soon enough, helping protect your damages in personal injury claim.
How Our Minneapolis Drunk Driving Lawyers Can Help You
When you hire our team, you are not just getting legal paperwork filed on your behalf. You are getting a committed advocate who will stand between you and the insurance companies, investigators, and defense lawyers who want to minimize your claim.
Here is what we do for every client:
- Investigate the crash thoroughly, including the driver's background and sobriety testing
- Identify every potentially liable party, including bars and other third parties
- Handle all communication with insurance adjusters so you are not pressured
- Gather and preserve critical evidence before it disappears
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including future costs
- Negotiate firmly for a fair settlement whenever possible
- Prepare every case for trial, because that preparation drives stronger offers
- Keep you informed at every step with clear, honest updates
We believe in building a real relationship with every client we serve. That means answering your questions, respecting your time, and treating you with the dignity you deserve during a hard chapter of your life.
Results We Have Achieved for Clients
Our attorneys Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard have recovered more than $75 million in settlements and awards for injured people across Minnesota. Those numbers reflect real families whose lives were disrupted by someone else's negligence and who trusted our team to help them move forward.
While every case is different and past results do not predict future outcomes, our track record shows what is possible when you have diligent lawyers on your side. We have taken on large insurance carriers, trucking companies, and commercial defendants, and we are not afraid to try a case in front of a Hennepin County jury when that is what it takes to do right by our client.
FAQs Answered by a Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Below are some of the most common questions we hear from people hurt by impaired drivers in the Minneapolis area. If your question is not answered here, please reach out, and we will gladly walk you through it.
What should I do if the drunk driver who hit me was not charged with DWI?
You can still bring a civil claim even without a criminal charge. Civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal cases, so evidence of impairment, such as witness accounts, bar receipts, and officer observations, can still support your claim. Our team will investigate independently to build the strongest case possible.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Yes, in many situations. Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule, which generally allows you to recover damages as long as you were not more at fault than the other driver. Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not automatically barred from compensation.
What if the drunk driver who hit me did not have insurance?
Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may step in to pay for your injuries. Minnesota requires these coverages on every auto policy, and our lawyers can help you pursue a claim against your own insurer if needed. We can also look for other responsible parties, such as a bar that overserved the driver.
How much does it cost to hire your Minneapolis drunk driving accident lawyers?
We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no upfront cost to you. We only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf, and the initial consultation is always free.
What if I lost a family member in a drunk driving crash?
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim to recover for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship. Our team handles these cases with care and compassion, knowing that no amount of money can replace the person you loved.
Speak With Our Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
You did not ask to be hit by a drunk driver, and you should not have to face the insurance companies alone. The lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you decide what comes next. Our consultations are always free, confidential, and offered in English or Spanish. Call us today (952) 567-2488 or send a message through our website to get started. The sooner we can begin working on your claim, the sooner we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.