Nobody pulls their vehicle out onto the road expecting to be involved in a car accident, but the fact that there were 45,817 car accidents reported in 2021 throughout the state of Minnesota in 2021 — with 7,310 of these crashes in Ramsey County — shows that they are an unfortunate risk we accept as a part of life. If you are the victim of an auto accident, working with a qualified car accident lawyer in St. Paul can give you the support you need to fight for the compensation you deserve and make sure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Many people believe that there is no need to work with personal injury lawyers if the other driver was clearly the negligent party, but the fact is that liability is only one step in a long — and sometimes contentious — process for a personal injury case following a Minnesota car accident. State law requires that insurance companies issue a payment offer within 45 days, but the insurer will attempt to settle the claim for as little as possible. Clear liability does not equate to a fair settlement, as you will see below.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Connect With a Saint Paul Car Accident Lawyer Today
1-800-Injured is a Lawyer & Medical Directory. After a car accident, victims may be left in pain and disoriented, and the idea of taking on a car accident case can be daunting. We provide you with access to car accident lawyers in St. Paul and surrounding areas for a free consultation, so you can find an experienced attorney who will handle your case in a way that gets the best possible outcome for your situation.
A free consultation will allow you to consider the benefits of working with St. Paul car accident attorneys as you learn more about your legal options, get examples of past cases the Minnesota car accident lawyer has handled, and understand the benefits you will get when you work closely with a seasoned legal professional as you seek to recover compensation from the negligent party.
Read more below to get a better idea of how important it is to work with an attorney after a car accident in St. Paul. Contact 1-800-Injured now to take an important first step. We’ll connect you with a qualified car accident lawyer in St. Paul so that your rights are protected from day one of your claim.
How Common Are Car Accidents in St. Paul?
In 2021 there were a total of 7,310 crashes with 2,219 people injured and 36 killed in Ramsey County. With 543,257 people living in Ramsey County, these numbers are minor at .013 car accidents per capita — but anyone impacted by these accidents is not focusing on how relatively safe this area is.
When you are working with car accident lawyers, whether you are working towards a settlement with the insurance company or taking your case to court with a car accident lawsuit, you can be confident that you won’t be treated like just another number. St. Paul car accident lawyers are dedicated to getting fair compensation for car crash victims.
Determining Liability After a Car Accident
In some instances, such as one where a driver crossed the yellow line into oncoming traffic and was then cited for DWI, there is little question about who caused the crash; in others, however, it may not be so clear. For example, in a car accident at a four-way intersection, it is often assumed that the left-turning driver is at fault. However, if the accident took place at night or in inclement weather and it is determined that the oncoming driver was not using their headlights or was speeding, this may change things. Police reports and witness accounts will all help determine these matters.
Under Minnesota law, a car accident victim is able to admit fault while still retaining their right to seek compensation through a personal injury case. This is possible under a doctrine known as “Comparative Negligence,” which factors in the victim’s negligence and reduces their final settlement proportionate to the percentage of blame they accept. A driver who accepts 20% of the fault will have their final settlement reduced by 20%, so a $100,000 settlement would be reduced to $80,000.
This doctrine is important and helpful, but insurance companies will attempt to pin extra fault on a victim in order to reduce the amount they need to pay on behalf of the negligent driver they represent. St. Paul attorneys understand and recognize this tactic and will push back aggressively to ensure that you are not taking on any unnecessary blame.
Calculating Damages for Car Accident Cases
Once liability has been established, the next step is to calculate the compensation that a victim is owed from the at-fault driver and their insurer. The damages in a personal injury case are collectively referred to as “compensatory damages,” because they are intended to compensate a victim for losses they have suffered as a result of the car accident.
These damages are further subdivided into two distinct, but equally important categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Experienced St. Paul personal injury lawyers will carry out a detailed investigation at the start of your car accident case in order to identify and then calculate all relevant damages.
Collecting Compensation for Auto Accidents
After a Minnesota car crash, there are a number of avenues for collecting compensation. Minnesota is a no-fault state, meaning that it requires drivers to carry a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy that pays damages regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage includes “$40,000 per person, per accident (this amount consists of $20,000 for medical costs and $20,000 for non-medical costs, like lost wages).” Victims can first recover this compensation following a Minnesota car accident through their own insurance company before seeking additional compensation from the other parties who caused the crash.
Once PIP has been exhausted, your attorney will calculate your damages and submit a demand letter to the insurer that details the extent of your damages and the total amount they believe you are owed. From here, it is likely that the insurance company will issue a counter-offer, and your lawyer will then negotiate to reach a settlement that makes sense. Many motor vehicle accidents are resolved with out-of-court settlements, but there are many other instances where a law firm will determine that the best path forward is to take the at-fault driver and their insurer to court.
If you and your attorney determine that a lawsuit is the best path forward following your car wreck, this is something you will be able to discuss in detail throughout your work together. While your lawyer works to build your case, they will help you understand the different options for seeking compensation, and you will be able to work with them to review your situation and decide how best to move forward. These factors may change a number of times on your path towards compensation, but luckily you will have an experienced legal professional helping guide you through these decisions.