Eagan Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Pedestrian accidents can lead to severe injuries requiring extensive medical care and other expenses. If a negligent driver has struck you, our Eagan pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help contact us today at (651) 437-3148.
How Much Is My Minnesota Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The factors affecting the payout you may receive in a pedestrian accident case include the following:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Current and future medical treatment needed for your injuries
- Whether you will need other services or items such as rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, or attendants, and for how long
- Income lost because of your injuries, including any future loss of earning capacity
- Whether you are disabled, disfigured, and suffering physical pain or emotional distress, along with the impact of your injuries on your family
An Eagen pedestrian accident lawyer has the resources and experience to gather proof showing the full extent of your present and future treatment expenses, income, and other losses. At Sieben Polk P.A., we combine personalized legal services with the law firm resources that you need to protect your rights.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Do I have to file a police report following a pedestrian accident?
If you are injured, you should notify the police immediately so they can document the accident.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Minnesota, you have six months from the accident date to file a claim against your own PIP policy and six years from the accident date to file a claim against the other party.
Does no-fault insurance play a role in my claim of pedestrian injuries?
You will need to file a claim under your own no-fault insurance coverage first if you have it.
What happens if I do not have no-fault coverage?
If someone in your household has no-fault coverage, you can file a claim under their policy.
What happens if my injuries cost more than what my insurance covers?
If the driver was at fault for the accident, you can file a claim or a lawsuit against the driver.
How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier you start your case, the easier it is for your lawyer to gather evidence while it is still fresh and the more time your lawyer has to prepare.
How am I supposed to afford a lawyer when my income decreases?
Our pedestrian lawyers work on a contingency basis. We won’t charge any legal fees unless we win your case. Our fees will be a percentage of your award. Your consultation is free, and there are no upfront costs to you.
Does hiring a lawyer mean I cannot accept a settlement?
Your lawyer will negotiate with the negligent party’s insurance company on your behalf to obtain a fair settlement. Your lawyer will advise you on whether to accept a settlement offer or go to court, but the choice is always yours.
Alleviating Potential Losses Associated With Pedestrian Accidents
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you could have many losses beyond your medical bills. These may include the following:
- Lost wages and benefits
- Replacement costs for daily functions you can no longer perform, such as housework
- Your family's loss of your financial support
You may also sustain non-economic damages, which are those harder-to-quantify impacts on your life. These include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Your family’s loss of your companionship, guidance, and affection
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you offset these costs by fighting for your right to receive financial compensation from the negligent driver.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians are completely unprotected from the tremendous force of the impact of heavy, fast-moving vehicles. If a vehicle hits you while you are walking, you may sustain severe injuries. Some of the common injuries that people sustain in pedestrian accidents include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputation or loss of limbs
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one suffered any of these or other severe injuries in a pedestrian accident, contact an attorney as soon as possible to maximize your potential for recovering the full compensation you deserve.
An experienced Eagan pedestrian accident lawyer will fight for your rights and guide you through the legal process. At Sieben Polk P.A., we understand the legal terrain of Minnesota: its attorneys, its judges, and its laws.
How Is the Responsible Party Determined in Minnesota Pedestrian Accident Cases?
According to Minnesota law, pedestrians always have the right-of-way in crosswalks and intersections. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians whether they are crossing the street using a marked crosswalk or an unmarked intersection. If a driver fails to do this and causes a pedestrian accident, the victim may seek damages.
The Sieben Law P.A. pedestrian legal team thoroughly investigates accidents to identify the driver and any other parties who should be held responsible. We combine the best features of a large firm with a local firm environment.
Minnesota No-Fault Insurance Laws
Minnesota is a “no-fault state.” Drivers must obtain Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage, also called “Basic Economic Loss Benefits.” If you have a no-fault policy for your car, you first make a claim against your PIP for injury expenses. If you pursue a pedestrian accident claim in Eagan or anywhere in Minnesota, you should understand the following terms:
- Coverage limits: The minimum coverage on your no-fault policy is $40,000. Up to half can be applied to medical expenses and half to non-medical expenses, including lost wages.
- Losses only: In Minnesota, no-fault coverage only applies to the financial costs of injuries sustained in an accident, not all losses. PIP coverage does not provide compensation for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
- Pedestrian coverage: If you are a pedestrian injured in an accident, you can file a claim against your policy if you have no-fault PIP auto insurance. If you don't have PIP insurance but someone else in your household does, you can pursue a claim under that policy.
You may have options if your injury-related losses exceed your PIP policy limits and the driver who hit you was at fault. You can pursue a claim under the negligent driver’s liability insurance coverage or hold the at-fault party accountable for your damages through a pedestrian accident lawsuit.
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help
An experienced Eagan pedestrian accident lawyer can help you have the best chance of obtaining all the compensation for your injuries that you are entitled to.
The Sieben Polk S.A. team is nationally recognized and locally rooted. We have the resources of a large firm but provide the personalized service of a local firm. We individually tailor our legal services to meet each client’s unique needs.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation. Call us any time at 651-437-3148 or fill out the contact form for a free case review.
