Compassionate Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers

“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.

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.