Compassionate Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
Drunk driving plagues Minnesota roadways, despite countless warnings about its dangers. Drunk drivers must face accountability when harming other road users. If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one, the legal team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers could help you pursue compensation for your unfair damages.
In this post, we answer some of our clients’ most common questions after accidents with intoxicated drivers. For more information, contact us right away.
Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
Is Drunk Driving a Crime? If so, Can I Sue for My Damages?
Yes. In Minnesota, drunk driving can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. Whether or not the drunk driver faces criminal charges, you may still pursue a civil claim and lawsuit for your injuries. The outcome of their drunk driving criminal case may not affect your civil action.
The legal limit for many drivers in Minnesota for blood-alcohol concentration levels is 0.08 percent. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that impaired driving can begin at an even lower percentage. For example, a decline in visual function can start at 0.02 percent.
Commercial drivers, however, have a lower limit. The legal limit for those with a commercial driver’s license is 0.04 percent. A drunk truck driver places others at risk when they lose control of a large and heavy truck.
If an intoxicated commercial truck driver injures you, Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can identify all liable parties. Commercial truck cases may include the truck driver, the trucking company, or other named parties.
You have a right to pursue a personal injury claim against a drunk driver who harms you. A drunk driving accident lawyer from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you hold the responsible driver accountable for their careless actions.
What Is the Minnesota Dram Shop Act?
The Minnesota Dram Shop Act allows injured parties to take legal action against any person or business that illegally sells liquor to the person who injured them. However, the intoxicated person cannot sue under the dram shop act.
Illegal dram shop activity can include such acts as:
- Selling alcohol after hours
- Serving alcohol without the appropriate license
- Selling alcohol to minors
- Overserving an intoxicated patron
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team can determine if your case includes sufficient evidence to pursue civil action against a bar or restaurant. A careful review of all the evidence can help us identify the parties liable for your damages.
Civil law is a complex area; our legal team has the education, experience, and skills necessary to navigate the legal process. The Dram Shop Act requires a dedicated focus that Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can provide if it comes into play in your case.
What Types of Injuries Can Result in Long-Term Costs?

A catastrophic drunk driving accident can leave you or a loved one with life-changing injuries. The more severe the injury, the longer the need for medical and personal care.
Medical costs climb daily, making it imperative that you fight for a fair settlement now.
Drunk driving accidents can cause these injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury: The brain controls how we think, move, react, and more. A traumatic brain injury disrupts normal brain function, with devastating effects that require expensive, long-term care.
- Bone fractures: Severe breaks affect tendons and muscles, as well as the bone itself.
- Spinal cord injury: A spinal cord injury can cause paralysis. Lifetime costs associated with a spinal cord injury can be staggering.
- Internal injuries: Sometimes, the harm you cannot see is the most dangerous. For example, internal bleeding is sometimes life-threatening but only possible to detect by a medical professional.
- Burns: The collision may cause a fire. Burn injuries generally require specialized care at a burn facility.
- Road rash: Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are at risk of sustaining road rash. A painful skin abrasion, road rash involves muscles, tendons, bones, and blood vessels.
These and other types of injuries can profoundly affect you emotionally and psychologically. Worrying about how to pay for much-needed care —now and in the future —can keep you up at night.
We want to help you fight for justice and compensation. If a drunk driver injured you, your accident was preventable. Get assistance with your civil case by contacting Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?
Each drunk driving case is unique due to crash details and injuries. Therefore, investigating your case takes time. Your lawyer may visit the accident scene, interview witnesses, and examine evidence and police reports.
Your medical reports and costs are also important as your lawyer builds a case. Therefore, the exact time a claim takes is impossible to predict. However, the faster you contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, the sooner we can get to work for you.
Drunk driving accident claims typically settle out of court. However, some cases do proceed to a trial. Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have the negotiation and trial skills necessary to take your case to court if necessary.
Minnesota law requires you to file your civil lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free case consultation as soon as you can after your accident to make sure you don’t miss the deadline to pursue a personal injury claim.
Why Do I Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer can manage the details of your case, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery. At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we provide clients with care and compassion. Our team understands that accident victims face sudden and frightening changes following a drunk driving accident.
Insurance companies are not always as kind and patient. Many insurance adjusters pressure accident victims to sign and accept a settlement offer—before they have a chance to contact an attorney.
No accident victims should feel pressured to sign something they do not understand. Unfortunately, many victims do not realize that they close the personal injury claim by accepting an initial offer. After accepting an offer, you cannot pursue additional funds later if you experience complications from your injuries.
The drunk driving accident attorneys at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers know how insurance companies operate. Our team can explain all of your options so that you can make informed decisions and focus on your recovery.
Personal injury lawyers serve accident victims harmed by negligence. Drunk driving is negligence and preventable. Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today if you suffered severe injuries from a drunk driver in Minnesota.
What About a Fatal Drunk Driving Accident?
When a drunk driver kills a loved one, no amount of money can atone for the loss. However, you may be able to pursue compensation in a wrongful death case, depending on your relationship with the victim. This money can relieve some of the financial burdens of their loss.
Surviving spouses generally qualify to bring a wrongful death action.
Common damages pursued in a wrongful death claim include:
- Final medical expenses for your loved one
- Funeral, burial, or cremation costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of inheritance for surviving children
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drunk drivers kill about 28 people each day in the United States. If you lost someone you loved because another person chose to drink and drive, contact us. Our team assists those who suffer an unimaginable loss due to a drunk driver. Let us help you today.
How Can I Help My Lawyer?
Give your lawyer as much information as possible about the accident to help them put together your claim. Gathering evidence from your smartphone, such as photographs, can assist your legal team as they build your case.
Other types of evidence that may assist your legal team include:
- Police report regarding the accident
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- News coverage, if any, about the accident
- Information regarding your injuries
- Medical bills and proof of lost wages
Your injuries may prevent you from gathering this information. Do not worry if you cannot gather the information yourself; in that case, your legal team can investigate your accident and collect any information you may not possess.
Another thing you can do to help your lawyer is to refrain from posting about your accident on social media. Sharing details may negatively affect your case if an insurance company misinterprets them.
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand that not everyone understands how to file a civil claim. Therefore, we strive to provide information that is easy to understand, and we always welcome questions and concerns.
Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Yes. The drunk driving accident lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers usually work on a contingency-fee-basis. We do not collect our legal fees unless and until we win your case. If we do not win, you do not pay legal fees for our services.
As personal injury lawyers, we realize that accident victims face enormous stress and worry regarding their finances. Medical bills continue to arrive while your income stops.
A personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can protect your interests throughout your case. In addition, your lawyer can stand up to insurance companies who try to underpay or deny your claim. The experience, education, and skills of a licensed, professional lawyer are invaluable when it comes to fighting for what you deserve.
Remove “how to pay for a lawyer” from your list of financial worries. No down payment or retainer is necessary to hire a Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers attorney. Our fee is contingent upon the outcome of your civil case.
How Do Drunk Drivers Endanger Minnesota Road Users?
All Minnesota road users are at risk of encountering a dangerous drunk driver, including truckers, car drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
A Minnesota drunk driver abuses their license privileges and can face severe consequences for their actions. However, the loss of their driver’s license does nothing to compensate for the damages you suffered.
Injured road users deserve justice when a drunk driver hurts them. A long road to recovery or a permanent injury can forever change your life. Holding the responsible driver accountable for your damages is where we can help you.
Rideshares such as Uber and Lyft, along with taxis and friends, are generally available alternatives for someone who has too much to drink. If a person who chose to drive drunk injured you, contact us.
Make Us Your Minnesota Drunk Driving Lawyers

The team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers works with clients who suffered harm due to a drunk driver's negligence. We are proud of our strong record in protecting the rights of accident victims who deserve compensation.
If you suffered severe injuries or lost a close loved one due to a Minnesota drunk driver’s negligence, get help today. The driver responsible for your losses should be held accountable.
Learn more about our past success and how we can help you. Your free case consultation is a positive first step following your drunk driving accident.
Contacting Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is as easy as reaching out online or calling us. Get the help you need by contacting Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today.
Minneapolis Office
43 SE Main St
Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 446-3999