Minneapolis Multi-Vehicle Accident Lawyer

A Minneapolis multi-vehicle accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation if you’ve been in a collision involving several vehicles.

When you get into an accident in an urban setting, there’s a good chance more than two vehicles will end up being involved. Whether it’s at a crossroads or on a freeway, multi-vehicle accidents are often extremely destructive.

Navigating the aftermath of an accident like this is no easy task. With multiple parties involved, establishing liability can be very difficult.

At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we understand the unique challenges presented by multi-car accidents in Minneapolis. We can help you cut through the confusion, offering robust legal strategies to give you the best possible shot at securing justice (and maximum compensation).

Determining Fault in Minneapolis Multi-Vehicle Accidents

If you want to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party in your accident, you’re going to need evidence that they actually caused your injuries. This can pose problems at the best of times, but it’s much more difficult when you get in an accident involving several vehicles, whether cars, trucks, or motorcycles.

In many cases, it falls to accident reconstruction experts to illustrate how crashes unfold. They take various factors into account, including:

• Accident scene evidence: Physical evidence from the accident scene, such as tire marks, vehicle damage, and damage to road signs or other items, can indicate whether certain vehicles were traveling too quickly or on the wrong part of the road.
• Eyewitness statements: Statements from those who saw the accident can provide an objective perspective on how the crash occurred and who was at fault. This is why it’s so important to speak with bystanders after you’ve had an accident; at the very least, you should ask them for their contact information. You should also request that they remain at the scene long enough to speak to the police who respond to the collision.
• Police reports: Officers responding to multi-vehicle accidents often compile a report that includes their assessment of the accident, diagrams, and sometimes an initial determination of fault based on their investigation. According to the City of Minneapolis website, accident reports are generally available free of charge on request.

Fatal Multi-Car Accidents in Minneapolis

Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) state there were 224 deaths in multiple-vehicle accidents in the state of Minnesota in 2021. This accounted for 46% of all road deaths in the state that year.

According to data from the City of Minneapolis website, an average of around 150 people lose their lives in road accidents in the city every year. Most deadly accidents occur in a relatively small number of accident black spots; between 2017 and 2021, 66% of the accidents that caused death and severe injury in Minneapolis occurred on just 9% of the city’s streets.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Arising from Multi-Vehicle Accidents

If you’ve lost a loved one in a road accident that was the fault of another party, you may be able to recover damages through a wrongful death lawsuit.

In Minnesota, court-appointed trustees are responsible for filing wrongful death actions; the trustee will generally be an immediate family member, such as a spouse, parent, or child. The compensation gained from wrongful death actions are then held in trust for the benefit of all eligible family members.

Wrongful death claims can cover a variety of losses, including:

• Medical expenses incurred prior to death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of the deceased’s expected earnings
• Loss of companionship
• Grief and mental anguish suffered by surviving family members.

Common Injuries Resulting from Multi-Car Accidents

Our multi-car accident attorneys work with clients who have suffered a range of injuries, ranging from relatively mild to life-altering. Some of the injuries that most commonly result from these accidents include:

• Whiplash: Whiplash is among the most common results of road accidents, particularly those in which one vehicle rear-ends another. Caused by a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and neck, whiplash can result in pain, stiffness, and headaches. It often takes a number of days to manifest fully after an accident, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important to seek medical attention after a collision even if you don’t have any injury symptoms.
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Caused by a blow or jolt to the head, concussions and other brain injuries cause symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to serious, long-lasting cognitive and neurological impairments.
• Broken bones: Fractures can vary in severity from simple breaks that heal relatively quickly to compound breaks that require surgical intervention. Broken bones tend to be particularly serious for older patients or those with existing disabilities.
• Lacerations and abrasions: Flying glass, torn metal, and even airbags can cause severe flesh wounds. Road rash (the name given to injuries caused when motorists are dragged along the ground following an accident) can cause particularly serious lacerations.
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis: One of the most serious potential outcomes of a multi-car accident is damage to the spinal cord. The worst back injuries result in complete paralysis below the site of the injury, along with a host of other debilitating symptoms.

Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance System

Minnesota is what’s called a “no-fault” state when it comes to motor insurance. This means you can file an insurance claim with your own insurance provider following a road accident, regardless of who was to blame for your collision.

In less serious cases, these benefits may be adequate to cover all costs incurred. However, no-fault coverage has limitations, so you will likely have to file a personal injury lawsuit to meet all your expenses if you’ve had a serious accident. Additionally, you will not be able to claim noneconomic damages through no-fault insurance.

No-fault insurance benefits may or may not be sufficient to fund your accident recovery; this will depend on a range of factors. The only way to be sure you’re covering your bases in this regard is to consult with a multi-vehicle accident lawyer in Minneapolis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I claim compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Minnesota uses what are known as “modified comparative fault” rules, so you can claim compensation even if you were partially to blame, as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault for what happened. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if the facts suggest you were 80% at fault for an accident that caused you $100,000 in damages, your financial recovery will be capped at $20,000.

Will I need to go to court for my multi-car accident claim?

Your claim will most likely be settled out of court, as this is a quicker, more convenient, and more cost-effective means of concluding cases. However, if the defendant in your case is unwilling to engage in reasonable negotiations, we won’t hesitate to take the fight to court to pursue a verdict that will allow you to get back on your feet.

What should I do if a government vehicle is part of the multi-car accident?

If the driver of a government vehicle caused your accident, the claims process may be more challenging due to sovereign immunity; the law in Minnesota protects government employees from lawsuits under certain circumstances. There may also be a shorter time limit within which you have to file suit.

What happens if I’m involved in a multi-car accident while visiting Minnesota from another state?

As a nonresident who’s had an accident in Minnesota, it’s important to notify your insurance company. If you have a no-fault policy, you may be entitled to insurance benefits as you would be if the accident occurred in your home state. However, if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, you should consult with a local attorney who will have the knowledge and experience to file a winning lawsuit for you here.

What happens if one of the drivers involved in my Minneapolis multi-vehicle accident is uninsured or underinsured?

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it may provide you with benefits in this situation. However, you may still need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover all the compensation necessary to cover your costs.

What documentation is important for my multi-car accident claim?

You should keep a record of all potentially relevant documentation following a multi-car accident; especially important items include the police report, medical records related to the accident, photographs of the scene and damages, witness statements, repair bills, and proof of lost wages.

What should I do if an Uber or Lyft hits me in Minneapolis?

If the driver of a ride-sharing vehicle was at fault for your accident, you may be entitled to file suit against the company on the basis of vicarious liability. The law in this area can get complicated, but your attorney will be able to guide you on the best course of action.

Paving the Way to Recovery

In the chaotic aftermath of a multi-car accident in Minneapolis, the path to recovery may seem fraught with uncertainty. However, with Tyroler Leonard Injury Law on your side, you’ll have the best possible chance of securing an excellent settlement or verdict.

Contact us today to start the process of seeking justice. You can reach us via our webform or over the phone at 651-259-1113.

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 ]