Hire an Experienced, Dedicated St. Paul Personal Injury Attorney for Your Accident Case
Accidents can happen anywhere in St. Paul. You could be shopping at Kowalski's Market and slip and fall on a spill in one of the aisles. You could also be driving work on the Lafayette Freeway, Robert Street, or I-494 when the car behind you slams into you because they were texting and driving.
While some of these accidents can result in minor bumps and bruises, others can lead to debilitating injuries, excruciating pain, and extensive medical bills that can forever impact your life. If you suffered injuries in a St. Paul personal injury accident, you should reach out to an experienced St. Paul personal injury lawyer at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Contact us today at (612) 446-3999 to request a free consultation.
Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Who We Are
Whether you were injured in a car crash, trucking collision, or workplace accident, the attorneys at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers are ready to help you get the resources you need to get back on your feet and receive the medical treatments you require.
Founded in 2007, our law firm has gained a reputation for providing the residents of Minnesota and Wisconsin with trusted, affordable, and tailored legal representation, and our lawyers are committed to helping clients face the challenges that come with being injured after an accident.
Because of our drive, dedication, and experience, we have obtained millions of dollars on our client’s behalf through jury trial verdicts and settlement negotiations, including these recent awards:
- $1.2 million for a child who suffered burns in a car crash
- $1.1 million for an auto accident
- $1.05 million for a pedestrian accident
- $815,000 for a drunk driving collision
- $335,000 for a slip and fall accident
Note these are only past results and no guarantee of outcomes in all cases. However, you can trust we will fight hard to help you get the maximum compensation available so you can realize the most complete recovery possible.
Injured in St. Paul? Get Nicolet.
Common Types of St. Paul Personal Injury Accidents
Personal injury accidents refer to physical and emotional injuries caused by reckless driving, intentional, or negligent actions, or an injury resulting from strict liability. As a result, almost any accident can lead to a personal injury claim. However, in St. Paul, certain personal injury accidents are more common than others. For instance:
Motor vehicle collisions occur when a motorist crashes into another vehicle, stationary object, pedestrian, animal, or debris. These accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries, expensive property damages, and in some cases, even death.
Even though motor vehicle accidents can occur for many reasons in St. Paul, they often happen because of:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Dangerous roadways and intersections, including I-94 at Snelling Avenue North, and Lexington Pkwy N at Concordia Ave
Another common cause of car accidents is poor weather. Drivers who do not reduce their speed or leave enough space between them and the vehicles in front of them may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision on wet and slippery roads.
Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability accidents occur because of dangerous or defective conditions on another person's land or property. This includes commercial properties, such as restaurants, malls, and grocery stores, as well as private locations, such as a friend's home.
While a wide range of dangerous conditions can lead to premises liability claims, most commonly they result from:
- Wet floors
- Torn carpeting
- Broken handrails
- Potholes
- Cracked sidewalks
- Icy roads or sidewalks
- Uneven ground
- Insufficient lighting
- Obstacles on the ground
- Swimming pool accidents
Additionally, dog bites fall under the umbrella of premises liability, and you may take legal action against the dog owner and hold them liable for your injuries if their dog bites you.
Product Liability Accidents
Product liability accidents occur when people suffer injuries or death because of a design or manufacturing defect. Those injured by a defective product may hold the manufacturer or seller of the product liable, along with other parties who had a hand in bringing the product to market. This includes distributors as well as marketers who create misleading advertisements for the faulty product.
Wrongful Death Accidents
If you lost a close family member due to someone's intentional act or negligence, you could hold them accountable through a wrongful death claim. Certain family members and estate representatives may file wrongful death claims to pursue appropriate damages arising from the tragedy. You could recover compensation for things like funeral and burial costs and other end-of-life expenses.
Workplace Accidents
If a person suffers injuries on the job or a job-related illness, they typically file a workers' compensation claim. Most employers must provide workers' compensation insurance to their employees, and the program provides for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from injury or illness.
If a worker receives workers' compensation benefits, they usually cannot bring a personal injury claim against their employer. However, some injured workers may have options for filing third-party claims against other parties that may bear responsibility. These can include manufacturers of defective products if a faulty machine component caused the injury, as well as non-employee general contractors and subcontractors who caused the accident or injury while working at the site.
Other Types of Personal Injury Accidents
In addition to the accidents listed above, personal injury accidents in St. Paul also include nursing home abuse, boating accidents, UTV/ATV accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other mishaps that cause severe injuries. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a St. Paul accident because of another person's wrongful actions, you should reach out to an experienced St. Paul personal injury attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Our attorneys can review your case, figure out if you have a viable claim, and help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Resulting from a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident
All personal injury accidents are unique, and any accident can result in serious injuries that require extensive medical attention. Some of the most common injuries that result from personal injury accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractured bones
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Deep lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
Personal injury accidents can also create more trauma in injured victims than just physical injuries. Injury victims often experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other ongoing adverse effects.
Although some of these injuries may be temporary, others can lead to permanent harm that results in the accident victim having to suffer extensive financial hardships due to the medical treatments and care involved, especially if they cannot work after the accident. In some cases, people sustain fatal injuries in accidents, which can be the basis of a wrongful death claim.
The Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in St. Paul
Every state has a statute of limitations regulation that mandates the amount of time a person has to bring a lawsuit following an alleged offense. If they do not bring this claim by this deadline, they cannot recover compensation.
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations to bring a personal injury claim following an accident is six years from the accident date. However, exceptions to this rule can affect this filing period.
For these reasons, do not wait to reach out to an experienced St. Paul personal injury attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers after your accident. Our attorneys can promptly review your accident, determine the maximum amount of time you have to file your case, and prepare and file all legal motions and documents appropriately before time runs out.
Even though you may have years to file your legal claim, you shouldn't wait long to contact an attorney and get started. The longer you delay bringing your suit, the higher the chance that witnesses can no longer testify on your behalf, evidence disappears, and memories of the incident fade. Your lawyer will have a lot of work to collect evidence and build a strong case for you, so the sooner you get started, the better.
Actions You Should Take After a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident
Following the St. Paul accident that caused your injuries, you need to take action to protect your safety and legal rights for pursuing fair compensation from negligent parties. Steps you need to take as soon as possible after the personal injury incident include:
#1. Contact the Authorities Immediately
The fastest way to get your accident on record is to alert the police of the accident. Call 911 and notify emergency medical personnel that you require medical treatment.
Once the police get to the scene, they can perform a preliminary investigation and start jotting down their findings in their police report. If you decide to bring a personal injury legal claim, this report can provide you and your lawyer with helpful evidence regarding the incident.
#2. Gather Evidence from the Accident Scene
If you do not require immediate medical treatment and the area is safe, try to take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as you can. This should include photos of your visible injuries, dangerous conditions that caused your injuries, any vehicles involved in the accident, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the accident's location, and any other details that can help show what happened.
#3. Collect Details from Those Involved in the Accident
Try to exchange information with those involved in the accident, including names, contact details, and insurance information. However, as you speak with these individuals, make sure you watch what you say.
Do not apologize for the incident, make any definitive statements about what happened, or say anything that could imply you are to blame for what occurred. These types of comments can end up coming back and hurting your case and the amount of money you receive.
#4. Watch What You Post on Your Social Media Accounts
Although posting about your accident on your social media accounts or online group forums may seem like an excellent way to get over the stress and frustrations of the incident, this may not be the best idea.
You need to remember that the defense team and the insurance companies are looking for any evidence to use against you. By posting details about the incident online, the other side can use this information to hurt your case.
#5. Get to a Doctor As Soon as Possible After Your Personal Injury Accident
Even if your injuries appear to be minor following a St. Paul personal injury accident, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible following the accident. Many times, symptoms of serious injuries, such as brain trauma or internal bleeding, can take time to manifest.
The longer you wait to get this condition checked out, the more debilitating and deadly it can become. Therefore, you need to have a medical professional examine you immediately after your accident.
Additionally, getting prompt medical treatment can also help your legal case. Insurance companies are looking for any reason to deny your claim. If you don't get immediate medical treatment after the accident, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not that serious or are a result of a subsequent event.
When a doctor examines you after the accident, they can write down information regarding your injuries in their medical report, providing you with evidence of a direct connection between your St. Paul personal injury accident and the harm you sustained.
#6. Talk to an Experienced St. Paul Personal Injury Attorney Before You Speak with an Insurance Adjuster
After a personal injury accident, the insurance company will probably call you or take a statement from you to discuss your accident. However, before you speak to an insurance adjuster or representative, you should first consult with an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Paul about the incident.
As mentioned, insurance companies are looking for anything they can to use against you. As a result, these adjusters will want to get you on the phone as soon as possible so they can get you to admit to something that can impact your case.
That is why you should reach out to a St. Paul personal injury lawyer at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers before you speak with the insurance company. Our attorneys can advise you on what you should and should not say to the insurer. We can also take on these discussions on your behalf, ensuring you do not say anything that can hurt your claim. If the insurance company contacts you, you can simply defer them to your lawyer and let us deal with them so you don't have to worry about it.
St. Paul Personal Injury FAQ
1. How Do You Know If You Have a Valid Legal Case Following a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident?
Not all individuals who suffered harm in a personal injury accident in St. Paul will be able to pursue legal action for their injuries and losses. In truth, to figure out if you can pursue legal action following your personal injury accident, a lawyer will need to examine several factors, including:
- Did you sustain injuries in the St. Paul personal injury accident?
- What is the extent of your injuries?
- Is there insurance money available following the accident?
- Is there still time to file a legal claim following your personal injury accident?
That is why you should reach out to an experienced St. Paul personal injury lawyer as soon as you can following your accident. These legal professionals can promptly review your accident, advise you of your rights and options, and help you pursue the compensation you need.
2. What Types of Damages Can You Pursue in a St. Paul Personal Injury Lawsuit?
You may be entitled to various forms of compensation depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of your injuries, among other factors. In Minnesota, injury victims may pursue the following types of damages:
Economic Damages: These damages refer to the actual and verifiable losses that result from an accident.
They include
- Medical bills such as emergency room visits, hospital stay, outpatient procedures, prescription medications, home modifications, and surgeries
- Future, ongoing treatments
- In-home medical care
- Nursing home or rehabilitation costs
- Personal property repair or replacement expenses
- Lost wages from missed work
- Lost earning capacity
- Other out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic Damages: These damages refer to the intangible and subjective losses that result from an accident. These losses are not easily quantifiable and, as a result, are more challenging to prove. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of opportunity
- Physical impairment (loss of a limb, disability)
- Disfigurement
- Unjust hardship
- Loss of consortium
In addition, punitive damages may also be available. However, unlike the other damages, which are designed to compensate the victims for their losses after an accident, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their egregious actions and deter others from committing these wrongful acts in the future. Yet, for a court to award these punitive damages in St. Paul, the victim’s lawyer needs to show that the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or unlawfulness.
3. How Much Is a St. Paul Personal Injury Case Worth?
Even though an experienced St. Paul personal injury lawyer can tell you what types of damages you may pursue following a St. Paul personal injury accident, no attorney can tell you exactly how much money you can receive for the harm and losses you sustained. This is because there are just too many factors that can impact this value, such as:
- The type of injuries you suffered following the accident, for instance, did you suffer minor bruising or spinal cord damage
- The type of medical treatments needed now and in the future
- The ability to work following the St. Paul personal injury accident
- The income you lost because of the accident
- Whether the injury resulted in a permanent disability
- The credibility of the evidence and witnesses presented
- The defendant’s culpability
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Whether the injury caused major disruptions in your life
Thankfully, when you work with a knowledgeable St. Paul personal injury lawyer from Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, your attorney can review each of these factors, determine how they affect your case, and prepare the strongest case in response to them, making sure to pursue the maximum damages allowed under the law.
4. Do All Personal Injury Claims in St. Paul Head to Trial?
Generally, most personal injury cases settle before they head to trial. However, this answer will often depend on several factors, including the type of injuries that resulted from the accident, the attorney’s ability to convince the other side that they do not want to head to trial, and the strength of the case.
Following a St. Paul personal injury accident, you should reach out to a skilled St. Paul personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These lawyers can review your accident, go over your legal options, and help you understand the likelihood of your going to court.
5. How Long Will It Take to Settle a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident Case?
Unfortunately, when it comes to personal injury claims in St. Paul, nobody can tell you for certain how long it will take for a case to settle. You may get a general time frame based on the issues at hand by speaking with an experienced St. Paul personal injury attorney. However, when it comes to the specifics, too many elements can interfere with this deadline.
For example:
- The Harm You Sustained: If you suffered a severe injury in a personal injury accident in St. Paul or you become disabled, the value of your claim will likely significantly increase because the harm has increased. As a result, in these instances, the insurance company may delay the case by taking more time to investigate what happened or make it harder to collect all the compensation you require.
- Medical Improvements: It is also recommended that you wait to accept a settlement offer until you see maximum medical improvements. This way, an attorney can figure out if the settlement will cover all of your current bills, lost income, and all of your ongoing medical treatments.
- Insurance Disputes: If the insurance company is not willing to settle for a fair amount, your lawyer may decide it is time to proceed to trial. If this happens, your St. Paul personal injury case may take anywhere from months to even years to resolve.
6. If You Receive a Settlement Offer From the Insurance Company Following a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident, Should You Accept It?
In some instances, the insurance company may offer you a settlement amount shortly after the accident. Although this may seem like great news, it is not always in your best interest to accept it.
You need to remember that the insurance company is not your friend. They are not there to help ensure you get the most money for your injuries. Rather, they are a business, and like many businesses, they only focus on making a profit. By offering you less, they make more money. For these reasons, insurance adjusters will try to do anything they can to deny your case or get you to settle for less than you are entitled to.
That is why, if the insurance company offers you a settlement amount after your accident, this amount will often tend to be a meager pay-out that barely covers any of your current costs, let alone your future bills resulting from the accident. However, if you accept the offer and later discover that this settlement does not cover all your expenses, you cannot ask the insurance company for more money.
As a result, if the insurance company offers you a settlement amount, you should speak with a skilled St. Paul personal injury attorney before you accept anything. Your attorney can review this offer and determine if it is fair to you. If it is not, they can go back to the negotiating table with the insurer and fight for an amount that is.
7. If Your Loved One Died in a St. Paul Personal Injury Accident, What Legal Options Do You Have?
The right to file a wrongful death claim generally arises when an individual dies because of another party’s intentional or accidental actions. Consequently, if your family member passed away in a St. Paul personal injury accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
According to Minnesota law, a wrongful death is caused by the acts or omissions of an entity or individual when the person who passed away could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they lived. Instead, when this individual dies, their surviving spouse or next of kin can petition the court to appoint a trustee who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and oversee the distribution of any damages awarded.
However, even though a trustee must file the lawsuit, any damages awarded will be paid to the deceased’s surviving spouse and next of kin in proportion to their losses.
These damages typically include compensation for the following:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Expenses for medical treatment, care, and hospitalization required to treat the decedent’s final injury or illness
- Loss of protection, care, services, and assistance the decedent provided
- Loss of wages, income, and benefits the decedent would have provided their family had they lived, and
- Loss of the decedent’s guidance, advice, and companionship
If you lost a loved one in a St. Paul personal injury accident, you should reach out to a skilled St. Paul personal injury attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as you can. Our attorneys can review the accident that resulted in the death, determine if you have a valid wrongful death case, and help you and your family go after the financial compensation you need.
8. Why Should You Reach out to Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers After Your St. Paul Personal Injury Accident?
Although no amount of compensation can ever get you back to the life you had before your personal injury accident, obtaining compensation for your losses and injuries can help you start rebuilding a happy one. The Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can make sure to fight for the justice and damages you deserve while you focus on what matters most your healing and recovery.
Once retained, our skilled attorneys can:
- Go over your St. Paul personal injury accident with you in detail, determine if you have a valid legal claim, and discuss the legal remedies you can pursue.
- Answer all the questions and concerns you have regarding the accident and the legal process involved with your case.
- Provide you with the legal support you need during this challenging time.
- Thoroughly investigate the accident, and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Bring in the experts, including accident reconstructionists, doctors, and financial specialists, to substantiate your claim.
- Handle all the negotiations and discussions with the insurance company and go after a just settlement offer.
- Take your case to trial if the other side is unwilling to negotiate fairly and fight for maximum compensation.
If a St. Paul personal injury accident harmed you or a loved one, do not wait to secure the legal help you need. Instead, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (612) 446-3999 for a free case evaluation, and let our hard-working St. Paul personal injury attorneys show you how we can help.
