Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers

Compassionate Minnesota Car Accident Attorneys

“Blink of an eye.” “Quick as a flash.” No matter what expression you prefer, the meaning is the same it takes very little time for a motor vehicle accident to unleash lasting damage on victims and their families. A quick errand or a fateful commute can usher in a daunting future, filled with intense rehabilitation and a struggle to make ends meet. 

At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we believe that those who have sustained injuries in an accident should not have to bear the financial, physical, and emotional burden alone. If you are not sure whether you need an attorney, it will cost you nothing to find out how we can help you. Our firm is proud to offer free initial consultations, allowing you to explore your legal options without committing to a payment plan. 

Top-Rated Legal Representation for Accident Victims

In Minnesota, you can rely on the award-winning injury attorneys at Nicolet Law Firm to protect your interests. We have seen how invaluable a trusted legal advocate can be for our clients, and we will be there to support you through every step of the claims process. 

We handle every type of motor vehicle accident claim, including those that result from: 

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Commercial vehicle accidents 
• ATV accidents
• Boating accidents

Additionally, our firm is proud to represent personal injury victims on a contingency basis, which means that our clients will never have to pay their attorney’s fees out of pocket. Since our fees are deducted from the settlement distribution, our clients don’t pay unless we win. 

Our skilled, compassionate team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we are prepared to put our knowledge and resources to work for you. 

Common Car Accident Injuries 

There are many types of injuries that may result from a motor vehicle accident. While many injuries may heal on their own, some conditions such as spinal cord injuries can have a lasting effect on a victim’s health and well-being. Those who have been in a motor vehicle accident are advised to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if they do not know whether they have sustained an injury. 

Nicolet Law Office has experience representing victims suffering from all kinds of motor vehicle accident injuries, including: 

• Soft-tissue injuries 
• Fractures and broken bones 
• Neck and back injuries 
• Burn injuries 
• Brain and head injuries 

Because any settlement must take a victim’s current and future accident-related damages into account, our passionate attorneys will conduct interviews, work with medical professionals, and visit the accident scene to gather evidence for your case. When you work with us, you can expect our attorneys to do everything in their power to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries. 

Award-Winning Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys  

If you or a loved one have been in an accident, the skilled attorneys at Nicolet Law Office are here to help. Each of our approachable motor vehicle accident attorneys is committed to providing personalized service and support to our clients through every stage of a case. 

At Nicolet Law, our representation goes far beyond the courtroom. We are dedicated to helping our clients:

• Stop creditor harassment
• Deal with insurance company requests
• Obtain the resources they need to cover their bills and expenses, even while their case is in progress

We will prepare our clients for every step of the process, making sure they have peace of mind about their case and their recovery. While insurance companies only care about their bottom line, at Nicolet Law, we only care about our clients. 

Minnesota’s Motor Vehicle Accident Laws Explained

In Minnesota, there are a few laws that could impact a motor vehicle accident claim, including various statutes of limitations and a no-fault insurance law. 

No-fault insurance law: The first thing to know is that Minnesota has a no-fault auto insurance law, which means that drivers purchase insurance to cover their own injuries and damage. After an accident, each driver files a claim with their respective insurance to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses no matter who was at fault. 

While no-fault claims do not provide compensation for pain and suffering (or other non-monetary damages), some accident victims may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to receive compensation for those damages. However, victims are only allowed to file if their case meets certain requirements. 

The good news is that vehicle damage claims are not included in Minnesota’s no-fault law. If someone’s vehicle has sustained damages as a result of an accident, he or she can file a damage claim without limitations.  

Statutes of Limitations: If someone has been injured in an accident in Minnesota and wants to file a lawsuit, Minnesota Statute 541.05(5) states that he or she must file that suit within six years of the accident date. 

If an accident results in death, however, a family member or representative of the deceased’s estate has three years to file a wrongful death claim under Minnesota Statute 573.03(1). 

The deadline for filing a wrongful death claim is three years after the victim died, rather than the accident date. However, the action must be commenced within six years of the accident. These deadlines can become confusing, and that is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately if a family member has died due to someone else’s negligence. 

What to Do After a Car Accident in Minnesota

If you experience an accident, you should call law enforcement right away. They have trained as a first responder and will be able to help assess immediate medical needs and request emergency medical services (like an ambulance), if necessary. 

Law enforcement will often take witness statements, photographs, and may even issue citations at the scene. It is very helpful for law enforcement to interview witnesses and drivers at this point because witnesses may leave without giving important information. Furthermore, most times an at-fault driver will give an accurate and truthful account at the scene because they feel sorry and have not had time to talk to their insurance company (who may advise them not to admit anything). 

If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Adrenaline may mask some or all of a victim’s injuries following the event, so it is crucial to have a medical professional evaluate you. It is possible to further injure yourself by not receiving immediate treatment, and you may miss valuable time to get medical card. Additionally, the insurance company may try to argue you were not really injured if you didn’t seek medical attention promptly.

Take photos of the damage. You should take and save photos of the vehicle’s damage as well as any visible injuries you may have sustained. The vehicles may be totaled and later discarded, so we recommend taking photos right away.

Download data from the vehicle’s Blackbox. In some cases, it may be helpful to have the crash data downloaded from the vehicles. This can provide accurate information about speeds, braking, and impact. You will likely need a professional to do this for you.

Follow your medical provider’s recommended treatment plan. Even though some of the advice may be frustrating, overwhelming, or time consuming, following the medical provider’s advice will aid your recovery. Otherwise, an insurance company may try to discount your injuries by arguing that you did not follow the recommended treatment plan. 

Do not give statements to the other driver’s insurance without first consulting a lawyer. These statements are generally not helpful to you, and the questions may be unfair to someone who is recovering from injuries. It is also possible for these questions to be used against you if the other driver’s insurance company tries to put blame on you or even claim you were not injured.

We advise accident victims to arrange a free consult with an attorney soon after an accident. There is no risk to a free consultation with a lawyer, and there is no replacement for a lawyer’s advice specifically tailored to your situation.

Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer FAQ

If you were recently in a car accident in Minnesota that resulted in moderate to severe injuries, you likely have a wide range of negative emotions, including anger, frustration, and uncertainty about what is to come next. Once you have exhausted your insurance options, Minnesota law permits you to take legal action against the driver or another party responsible for the car accident and your injuries.

A Minnesota car accident lawyer can evaluate your claim, determine your eligibility for compensation, and answer specific questions about your case. Until you have the opportunity to consult with an attorney, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions about Minnesota car accidents and the legal process of recovering damages provide preliminary information. For more specific information, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Minnesota Car Accident?

Minnesota law allows you two years from your car accident to bring a lawsuit against the party responsible for the crash and related injuries. If you are bringing a wrongful death lawsuit after losing a loved one in a Minnesota car accident, a different statute of limitations applies.

Eligible family members have three years from the date of death, but no longer than six years from the date of the car accident, to bring a lawsuit against the responsible party. Regardless of which statute applies to your situation, you should consult with a Minnesota car accident attorney, like those at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, as soon as possible.

If you miss legal deadlines for filing a lawsuit, you risk losing your chance to recover losses related to the car accident and your injuries or the death of a loved one. Additionally, the longer you wait to take action, the more difficult it is to secure witness testimony and other evidence to support your claim. Some rare exceptions provide grounds for a court to toll or pause the statute of limitations time clock.

If you are worried you have gone beyond the time limit for your car accident claim, a car accident lawyer can review your claim and advise you on your next steps. Contact us at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as possible.

Do I Have to File a Police Report After a Minnesota Car Accident?

Minnesota law requires all drivers involved in a collision to report the accident to law enforcement when death, bodily harm, or property damage occurs. Drivers must provide their name, date of birth, address, e-mail, and license plate. They must also provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured if they are physically able. When a severe accident occurs, local or state police typically come to the scene of the accident and fill out a report. In the event of a minor crash or another situation where law enforcement does not come to the accident scene, drivers must immediately report the crash. Additionally, they have 72 hours to provide insurance information.

Do I Have to Seek Medical Treatment After a Minnesota Car Accident?

If you were in a major car accident, you were likely transported to the nearest hospital via ambulance for treatment in their emergency room. However, some drivers and occupants walk away seemingly unscathed after a car accident, so they refuse medical treatment at the scene of the accident. Car accidents sometimes result in hidden injuries, so you must seek medical attention as soon as possible to help ensure your health and well-being and preserve the value of your claim.

Some injuries do not immediately show symptoms. Victims might wait days before they realize they suffered an injury, potentially causing more damage. For example, concussions and other types of brain injuries sometimes have a long-term impact that is not immediately apparent. What seems like a bump on the head and some mild soreness can be a life-threatening brain injury that needs immediate treatment. The same is true of abdominal pain. A mild stomach ache can indicate internal bleeding and/or organ damage.

If you let a physician examine you soon after your car accident, you can avoid causing more damage and have the opportunity to learn about common hidden car accident injuries sooner than later. Additionally, seeking medical treatment after a Minnesota car accident can create a medical record that proves you suffered your injuries in the accident, not a previous event. This makes it difficult for another party to argue you have pre-existing injuries, and your doctor can testify to your injuries, treatment, and long-term prognosis.

How Does Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance Laws Factor Into My Car Accident Claim?

Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state that requires those who register a motor vehicle with the state to carry minimum amounts of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that covers car accident injuries regardless of who caused them. Minnesota’s minimum PIP coverage is $40,000, including $20,000 for medical treatment costs and $20,000 for lost wages and replacement services.

Your PIP coverage benefits you, especially if you suffer minor or moderate injuries and are likely to make a full recovery. However, the most severe car accidents lead to costly injuries that quickly exceed PIP minimums. Once you have exceeded your PIP coverage limit, you must pay for your medical expenses and absorb lost wages until you return to work unless you file a claim against the party(s) responsible for the accident and your injuries.

A Minnesota car accident lawyer, like those at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, can deal with the insurance companies and help you recover additional compensation beyond your PIP coverage limits. Once you reach $4,000 in medical treatment costs, suffer a permanent injury, or face at least 60 days of disability, the law permits you to step outside the no-fault system and seek damages from the at-fault party. You deserve full compensation for your car accident injuries, especially when you did not cause them.

What Damages Can I Recover if I Bring a Car Accident Injury Lawsuit?

If you decide to bring a lawsuit against a person, business, or other entity that caused your car accident and injuries, you could receive compensation for a wide range of damages related to the accident and your injuries if you win your case. Each claim is different, so amounts and types of damages vary.

Some common damages car accident victims recover in car accident injury lawsuits include:

• Medical expenses not covered by PIP coverage, including hospitalization, X-rays, diagnostic tests, follow-up doctor visits, prescriptions, surgery, and transportation costs to and from the hospital/doctor
• Estimated future medical treatment costs when a car accident victim requires ongoing care and treatment because of a permanent disability
• Lost income from missing work that PIP did not cover
• Estimated future lost wages for car accident victims who can no longer work because of their injuries
• Rehabilitation costs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other specialized therapy that helps car accident victims cope with the physical and emotional aspects of their injuries
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Decreased quality of life
• Loss of consortium

What Do I Do If an Uninsured Driver Caused the Car Accident that Led to My Injuries?

The first step to recovering damages after any Minnesota car accident is to file a claim under your mandatory PIP policy. If your injuries are minor, the fact that the driver who caused the accident was uninsured will not matter. Minnesota requires all drivers who register a vehicle to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in addition to their PIP coverage. Once you have exhausted your PIP benefits, your uninsured motorist coverage (UM) will kick in to pay additional benefits up to your policy limit.

If you have not purchased UM coverage, you are not only in violation of state law, but you likely will have to absorb the costs for vehicle repairs, lost wages, and medical expenses not covered by your PIP benefits. You likely still have grounds for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, if they had financial means, they would not be driving around uninsured. Even if you prevail in your accident injury lawsuit, you might find it difficult or impossible to collect money related to a judgment in your favor. Your Minnesota car accident lawyer can review the circumstances of your accident and advise you on the best way to recover compensation if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Should I Accept a Settlement Offer from Another Driver’s Insurance Carrier?

You should never accept a settlement from any insurance carrier without running it by a lawyer if you want to ensure you are getting fair compensation. Insurance companies focus on their bottom line, so they do what they can to pay as little as possible on a claim if they cannot deny it. If a carrier investigates an accident and finds their policyholder is likely at fault for a car accident, they sometimes make an early settlement offer to victims.

These early offers are often predatory. They tempt car accident victims, many of whom suffer financially from their injuries, to take the money. Once a car accident victim accepts a settlement offer, they waive any future right to compensation for their injuries. This prevents insurance companies from making a larger settlement payout or court-awarded damages later on. Early offers are often far less than car accident victims deserve or could otherwise secure by going to trial.

You ultimately decide whether to accept an offer, but it is best to consult with a lawyer first. Consider an early offer as a jumping-off point for settlement negotiations. If you settle too soon, you risk having to pay for additional expenses related to your injuries. Instead, let a lawyer handle the details and allow some time for your doctors to know the full scope of your car accident injuries. You may be able to recover more damages than initially included in the first offer you receive from an insurance company.

Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today to get started.

How Can Your Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers Help Me?

A car accident lawyer advocates for their clients to get the justice they deserve for the economic and non-economic losses they have suffered because of their injuries. They also help clients hold others accountable for negligent behavior, preventing future drivers from falling victim to the same party’s actions.

Our Minnesota car accident lawyers can help by:

• Evaluating the facts of a car accident claim to determine eligibility for compensation and provide car accident victims with legal options to recover damages.
• Communicating with insurance carriers and their legal teams to protect clients from saying something that could devalue their claim.
• Investigating car accidents to uncover evidence to help support their clients’ claims.
• Consulting with experts to accurately value a car accident injury claim so clients have the best odds of receiving maximum compensation for their injuries.
• Negotiating with insurance carriers to secure the highest settlement possible for clients and taking advantage of the fact that most insurance companies take car accident victims with legal counsel more seriously.
• Fighting for clients during litigation when settlement is not an option because of liability disputes or unfair settlement offers.
• Advocating for clients in the courtroom when the other driver lies, disputes liability, or the insurance company does not want to offer fair compensation.

Can I Afford to Hire a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer?

Yes you can afford ours.

While some people assume they cannot afford a lawyer and choose to go it alone, without a car accident injury lawyer advocating for them, they miss out on compensation because of insurance company tactics.

Our Minnesota car accident law firm provides free case evaluations for potential clients. During these initial consultations, you can share your stories, ask questions, and learn about your best course of action.

If you hire our Minnesota car accident lawyers, we will take your case on a contingent fee basis. This means you do not have to pay anything upfront. Instead, we will deduct fees and costs of representation from any settlement or jury award you receive. Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation to see how we can help you.

Call Nicolet Law Office Today for a Free Initial Consultation

When accidents happen, each of our award-winning attorneys is prepared to leverage their experience and knowledge on behalf of their clients. At Nicolet Law, we are committed to guiding our clients through unforeseen circumstances toward physical and financial recovery. When you trust us with your case, you can rest assured that you have an experienced attorney fighting for you. 

To get started, call us toll-free at 1-855-NICOLET or use our secure online form to schedule your free initial consultation. If you are too injured to travel, we can make arrangements to meet you at your home or at the hospital.

Call 1-855-NICOLET or use our secure online form to schedule a free case evaluation at one of our four Minnesota locations (Woodbury, Minneapolis, Duluth, and Hibbing).

Minneapolis Office
225 South 6th Street
Suite 3800
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (612) 446-3999