Car accidents are often tragic and devastating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that they occur once every 14 seconds in the United States. As a result, the parties involved end up suffering severe injuries or even death.
Although car accidents can be avoided by driving carefully and following safety rules, many drivers have thrown caution to the wind. By doing so, the drivers are simply exposing other drivers as well as passengers to greater chances of having car accidents.
Having said that, the implications of a car accident are often debilitating. Therefore, it is imperative to understand your rights and the available remedies provided for in law. In addition, it is also crucial to understand how a St Paul car accident attorney can help in your case.
Here is a brief elucidation of what you need to know about car accidents.
What are the Major Causes of Car Accidents in St Paul, Minnesota?
Many scenarios may result in a car accident. However, there are some common causes of car accidents that have been identified as significantly contributing to car crashes. They include:
- Distracted drivers
- Speeding
- Broken Roadway rules
- Drunk driving
- Harmful weather conditions -which hinder driving
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
In the event of an accident, it is imperative to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of the accident. Such steps include protecting your health and legal rights, which will subsequently help establish a robust case in your claim. The following are the key steps to take after an accident:
- Remain calm: After an accident, it is vital to remain calm and check for injuries. Also, ensure you call an ambulance if you notice any significant injuries.
- Don’t assume facts or admit fault: Assuming facts puts you in a position where you could place liability on yourself. This may harm your case if you are to go ahead with the claim for compensation.
- Contact the Police: Reporting the incident to the police is also a crucial step. Police reports are valuable sources of evidence that may be presented in court. Therefore, you should seek to give an official record of the incident to the police as soon as they arrive.
- Gather Information: documenting the incident is essential. This allows you to have sufficient evidence, which may subsequently help your attorney establish a robust case against the other party.
- Call your Insurance Company
- Seek Help from a Lawyer
What types of Damages can you Recover from a Car Accident?
As a victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to some form of compensation that helps you recover the losses and other expenses incurred due to the accident. Minnesota’s jurisdiction envisions three primary sources of recovery for injuries in car accidents. The sources include:
No-Fault Insurance
Minnesota law provides that insurance companies ought to have no-fault auto insurance for most vehicles in this jurisdiction. Put briefly, no-fault insurance provides insurance benefits to everyone injured during car accidents, regardless of who is at fault.
Some of the benefits you can recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
Liability Insurance
In addition to no-fault benefits, you may proceed to recover through liability insurance. The purpose of liability insurance is to provide recourse in law for any person injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence.
Such claims -against the negligent driver- are typically covered by liability insurance. However, if the negligent driver or the car owner lacks liability insurance, the injured person’s uninsured motorist pays the damages.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
UIM is typically sold to drivers by insurance companies. They work to the effect that they provide drivers with insurance coverage for damages -in the event of an accident- if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages.
However, UIM insurance is often discretionary, which means that the auto insurer may deny your claim for UIM insurance. As such, it is vital to have an attorney by your side in order to seek legal recourse.
Limitation Period for Car Accidents
If you decide to file a lawsuit, then it is imperative to note that there is a period for filing your claim. The statute of limitations in Minnesota provides a time limit-usually 2 years-for filing your claim. If you fail to file your claim within this period, then your claim may fail to be admitted as it will be time-barred.
How can a car accident attorney help?
It is crucial to have a qualified attorney by your side in the event of a car crash. In order to help you navigate through the legal process and establish a robust case, your attorney will :
- Interview witnesses
- Preserve evidence
- Help with documentation
- Deal with Insurance companies
- Advise you on the applicable law
Contact Us If You’re Been Injured in a St. Paul Car Accident
Navigating the legal process is often a daunting task, especially after an accident. However, a qualified car accident attorney can easily help you achieve a successful claim in your lawsuit.
At Swor & Gatto we offer legal services for those injured in a car accident. This we achieve by providing insight to our clients on their rights and the available remedies in their claim. At the same time, we can help you achieve a successful outcome.  Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys. We can help you.