Eagan Car Accident Lawyer
In Minneapolis, where even careful drivers can face severe injury in sudden accidents, Sieben Polk P.A. stands ready to support you. Our skilled car accident lawyers advocate for those affected by everything from fender benders to hit and runs, ensuring you seek the justice and compensation you need to recover from physical, financial, and emotional setbacks.
- Victims of car accidents caused by another’s negligence have the right to seek compensation, but they often face challenges from insurance companies that aim to minimize payouts.
- Sieben Polk P.A. provides comprehensive legal support for car accident victims, including evidence gathering, settlement negotiations, and trial representation.
- The top causes of car accidents include speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, failure to yield, and driver fatigue.
- In Minnesota, a no-fault insurance state, establishing fault is crucial for seeking compensation beyond personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
- Car accident victims in Eagan can claim both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
- Why Choose Sieben Polk P.A. for Your Car Accident Case?
- What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Eagan, MN?
- How Is Fault Determined in Minnesota Car Accidents?
- How Much Is My Eagan Car Accident Case Worth?
- What Compensation Can I Claim for My Minnesota Car Accident Case?
- How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit for a Minnesota Car Accident?
- Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer FAQ
- Our Eagan Car Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help
When someone else’s negligence causes your car accident, you may have the right to seek compensation. However, insurance companies often use tactics that protect their interests and minimize payouts. If you or a loved one are struggling with medical bills, lost income, and other damages after a motor vehicle accident, an experienced attorney help.
Sieben Polk P.A. can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Our Eagan car accident lawyers have decades of experience helping car accident victims throughout Minnesota, including Hastings, Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and more pursue justice and compensation. Do not wait to take legal action.
Why Choose Sieben Polk P.A. for Your Car Accident Case?
At Sieben Polk P.A., we know car accident cases can be complex and overwhelming for victims and their families. Having a skilled car accident attorney on your side can help you understand your rights, legal options, and how to maximize your claim. Our top-tier legal team tailors our counsel and representation to the unique needs of each individual client, providing you with personalized representation that focuses on your goals.
We offer the high-quality services of a large law firm while maintaining the atmosphere of local practice. When you work with our experienced car crash lawyers, you can expect:
- Professional guidance and support throughout the legal process
- A full investigation of what led to your car accident
- Gathering crucial evidence to support your case
- Aggressive settlement negotiation with insurance adjusters
- Trial representation if we need to take your case to court
If you were injured in a car accident in Minnesota, you don’t have to go it alone. We provide superior localized service and a deep understanding of the legal terrain of Minnesota. We’re ready to help you through the legal aftermath of your car accident, protecting your rights and standing up to unfair insurance companies. Schedule a free initial consultation with our team to learn how we can help.
Over $1,600,000 recovered from multiple layers of insurance for local woman severely injured in car crash.
$1,250,000 recovered for family of woman who died in car crash.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Eagan, MN?
Countless factors contribute to car accidents throughout Minnesota and beyond. However, causation patterns do emerge. Common causes of auto accidents include:
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents across the nation, and Minnesota is no exception. Speeding is particularly dangerous because it gives drivers less time to react to dangerous road conditions, and it takes longer for drivers to slow down at higher speeds. According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 29 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in 2021.
Drunk Driving
As we all know, driving while intoxicated is illegal and dangerous. Still, drunk driving is another common cause of traffic accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
The dangerous effects of alcohol and other drugs while driving include:
- Impaired judgment
- Blurred or compromised vision
- Reduction in the ability to distinguish colors
- Slowed reaction times
Distracted Driving
When something takes a driver’s attention away from the road, the risk of crashing goes up significantly. Some examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting or using a cell phone while driving
- Reading or replying to an email
- Making adjustments to the GPS
- Eating while driving
- Changing music while driving
Aggressive Driving
A recent study found that aggressive driving is a significant contributing factor to fatal crashes. For example, aggressive drivers are more likely to speed, follow too closely, ignore traffic signs, brake check, cut off other drivers, and experience road rage.
Failure To Yield the Right-of-Way
Another common cause of car accidents is failure to yield the right-of-way to other drivers. Minnesota law determines when vehicles have the right-of-way and must yield to other cars. If a driver fails to follow the law, it can result in a devastating crash.
Driver Fatigue
When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when they are drowsy, tired, or fatigued, it can be just as risky as driving drunk. Fatigued drivers can experience:
- Difficulty focusing
- Poor judgment
- Slow decision-making and reaction times
- Impaired coordination
- Lane swerving
How Is Fault Determined in Minnesota Car Accidents?
Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state, which means car accident victims claim compensation for damages through their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, PIP doesn’t always cover the full extent of your damages. When this happens, it’s crucial to determine fault so you can seek additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
To prove fault in a Minnesota car accident, you must normally show by a preponderance of the evidence that the responsible driver was negligent. Important evidence may include:
- Police report
- Photographs and videos
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Vehicle damage reports
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Driver statements
- Phone records
- Weather and road condition reports
- Insurance policies
- Employment and income records
- Black box data
- Traffic citations or violations
- Expert testimony
What Happens if I Am Partially at Fault?
According to Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence law, you can still claim compensation “if [your] contributory fault was not greater than the fault of the person against whom recovery is sought, but any damages allowed must be diminished in proportion to the amount of fault attributable to the person recovering.” This normally means that you must be 50 percent or less at fault to recover damages.
For example, suppose you are 20 percent responsible for an accident and your total damages are $1 million. Your compensable damages would be reduced to $800,000. However, if you were more than 50 percent at fault, your damages would be reduced to zero. Therefore, it is important to have an experienced car accident lawyer in your corner who will push back when the other driver tries to pin the majority of the blame on you.
How Much Is My Eagan Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your car accident claim will depend on the severity of the accident and the types of injuries you suffered. For example, a car accident victim with minor cuts and bruises will have lower compensable damages than somebody who suffers from any of the following:
Our skilled Eagan car accident lawyers can help you seek the full and fair compensation you deserve. They will conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident and calculate the damages you are entitled to.
Can I Afford To Hire a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer?
Our Eagan car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we secure compensation on your behalf. There are never upfront fees to work with our team. We also offer free initial consultations, so there is no downside to having your case reviewed. Learn more about the cost of hiring a car accident attorney at Sieben Polk.
What Compensation Can I Claim for My Minnesota Car Accident Case?
In Minnesota, car crash victims can claim compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses you sustain as a result of the accident. Non-economic damages represent the more subjective aspects of your injuries and losses.
Economic Damages
After a car accident in Eagan, Minnesota, your economic losses may include:
- Past and present medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
Non-Economic Damages
You may also be entitled to recover non-economic damages after a Minnesota car accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Of course, no amount of money can make up for a lost life. However, if you lost a loved one in a car accident, a wrongful death lawyer can help you claim compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit for a Minnesota Car Accident?
There is a time limit to take legal action and claim compensation after a car accident. The Minnesota statute of limitations governing most injury claims, including car accident cases, is six years from the date of the incident.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the deadline for wrongful death claims is only three years from the date of death. The deadline to file a personal injury claim for a minor may also be different.
To raise your chances of recovering full damages after a car accident, it’s best to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.
Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about asbestos exposure.
While you are no longer legally required to file a crash report after a car accident in Minnesota, a police report is a valuable piece of evidence that can impact the outcome of your case. Filing a police report provides official documentation of the accident and an unbiased perspective of what occurred.
First, you seek compensation from your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. You can also use your mandatory uninsured/underinsured insurance (UM/UIM) coverage to pay for medical bills and other expenses. If you still have pending expenses, you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver—even if they do not have insurance. Contact us to see if you qualify to bring a third-party claim.
Insurance companies don’t like to play fair. They may try to put the blame on you, offer an unfair settlement, and pressure you to accept it. Speak with an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement offer. This is the best way to ensure you are not taken advantage of and leave money on the table.
Passengers in a car accident have a right to seek compensation for personal injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car accident as a passenger, you may be entitled to compensation through personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance.
Most car insurance settlements in Minnesota are not taxable. However, portions awarded as punitive damages, along with a few other rare exceptions, may be taxed.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Near You
If you were injured in a car accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Our skilled Eagan car accident lawyers can help you pursue justice. We combine personalized legal services with resources our clients need when protecting their rights. Contact us now to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Sources:
injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/speeding/.
Dps.mn.gov, dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/dvs-content-detail.aspx?pageID=489. Accessed 19 Jan. 2024.
Www.revisor.mn.gov, www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.20.
Www.revisor.mn.gov, www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/604.01. Accessed 19 Jan. 2024.
Accident Analysis & Prevention, vol. 183, Apr. 2023, p. 106972, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2023.106972.
