Driving in Minnesota can be dangerous. According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, 381 people died on Minnesota’s roads in 2018. The most common cause of fatal crashes in that year was drunk driving, followed by speeding and distracted driving.
Suffering serious injuries in a car accident that was not your fault can be frustrating, especially when the medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses are piling up, or you are losing income as a result of the accident. However, if someone else’s negligence or reckless driving caused your accident, you should consult with a St. Paul car accident lawyer, as you might be able to go after the at-fault driver and receive compensation.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and take advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your potential car accident claim: (844) 730-0233.
Causes of Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while some accidents happen due to a vehicle defect or environmental conditions, most car accidents occur due to driver-related reasons. Driver-related causes can include:
Distracted Driving
The NHTSA describes distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system.” A driver’s attention should be on the road at all times. Distracted driving causes many fatalities on U.S. roads. In 2018 alone, 2,841 people died in distracted driving accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29 people die in the United States every day in an accident with a drunk driver. Drugs other than alcohol are involved in about 16 percent of motor vehicle accidents. This can include prescription drugs, as some medicines interfere with the ability of a driver to operate a car safely.
Driving Fatigued
Driving fatigued or drowsy is a particular problem for those who spend long hours on the road due to their job, for example, truck drivers. Accidents can happen when a driver falls asleep at the wheel or is simply too tired to pay attention to traffic. A shocking 40 percent of drivers admit that they have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in their lives, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
Speeding
Speeding is a major concern on today’s roads. If someone drives well in excess of the posted speed limit, they put themselves as well as all other road users at risk. A driver could also be speeding when they drive within the posted speed limit yet fail to adjust their speed to the current road and weather conditions. Speeding is illegal and classified as aggressive driving. Around a quarter of all accidents in 2017 occurred due to excessive speed, according to NHTSA.
Other Causes
Other than driver-related causes, an accident can also happen as a result of driving a defective car, lack of maintenance, or a manufacturing fault with a vehicle. Research by the NHTSA revealed that faulty brakes and tires cause many vehicle-related accidents.
If your accident happened due to another driver’s negligence, you could potentially recover compensation with a personal injury lawsuit. Do not hesitate to get a professional opinion and legal advice as soon as you can after an accident. A St. Paul car accident lawyer can analyze your car accident case and determine whether you have a claim against a negligent driver or another at-fault party.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving St. Paul, call (844) 730-0233
Proving Liability in Car Accidents
To hold an at-fault driver to account for your medical bills and other losses, you will first have to prove that they were negligent and responsible for the accident. This is not always as easy as it seems. Even if you believe that the other driver is at-fault, you will still need extensive evidence proving their negligence. In many cases, the defendant and their lawyer will try to turn the tables and argue that you had at least some fault in an accident. Having a St. Paul car accident lawyer on your side can help with proving fault and negligence. Your lawyer will try to prove the following elements in a car accident case:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- They acted negligently and breached the duty of care
- The breach was the cause of the wreck and your injuries
- You have injuries and losses as a result of the accident
A lawyer can help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your case, which can include police accident reports, traffic camera footage, medical reports, and proof of all your damages. If needed, a car accident lawyer can also consult with traffic reconstruction professionals and provide expert witnesses for your case.
Compensation
If you and your lawyer can prove that the defendant acted negligently and caused your car accident, you could potentially receive compensation, for example for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Medical equipment
- Physical pain and anguish
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Disfigurement and disability
You could also receive other financial awards, depending on the severity of your injuries and other circumstances of your case. If the other driver acted particularly recklessly, they may have to pay punitive damages to you.
St. Paul Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Contact Your St. Paul Accident Lawyer Today
Do not wait to initiate legal action. In Minnesota, you generally have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Minn. Stat. 541.07. The sooner you start with the process, the sooner we can work on collecting the relevant evidence to build your case. Getting timely compensation can help you recover and move on with your life.
We can offer you a free consultation to discuss your legal options and answer any questions you might have regarding your claim. If you work with us, you will not have to worry about any upfront attorney’s fees as we have the resources to fight your case on a “no win, no fee” basis.
Do not wait and call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today to find out if you have a case against a negligent driver: (844) 730-0233.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
