Advocating for Auto Accident Victims in MN Since 1986
At Goldenberg Lauricella, we understand that a driver’s negligence can take your quality of life, ability to earn, and sense of security away in an instant. For over 38 years, our Minnesota car accident attorneys have helped thousands of car accident victims across Minneapolis successfully recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
We know you have worries about medical expenses, lost income, inability to work, family obligations, and other hardships. The job of our Minneapolis car accident lawyers is to guide you through these challenging times and be your trusted advocate if you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Time is of the essence after a crash—contact us after your car accident by calling (800) 903-1643 or filling out an online case evaluation form.
How Our Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Many times, our clients cannot meet with us because they are in the hospital or bedridden. We will be happy to arrange to come to see you, and we will take care of all of the paperwork.
Our team of Minneapolis personal injury attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella has the experience and resources to fully work up your case. We will front all costs and hire the best experts available.
Our Minneapolis auto accident attorneys can help you by:
- Evaluating your case at a free initial consultation;
- Establishing a plan of action and keeping you updated;
- Investigating the crash and, if necessary, hiring an accident reconstruction specialist to prove fault;
- Obtaining all medical records and bills;
- Consulting with your treating doctors and other medical experts to provide an accurate understanding of your injuries, including what will happen to you in the future;
- Hiring vocational experts, if necessary, to assess loss in earning capacity due to new physical restrictions and life care planners to help you plan for the future;
- Putting together a demand for settlement, which will be approved by you; and
- Litigating your case if negotiations are not successful (however, most cases settle before trial).
Because each case is unique, our auto accident lawyers take a customized approach to each individual client. We have been helping accident victims for decades, and we know what it takes to ensure accuracy and fairness when resolving a claim.
How to Deal with the Insurance Company
After an accident, it’s imperative to make sure you have a Minnesota injury attorney on your side to help you navigate conversations with the other driver’s insurance company.
Remember that the other driver’s insurance company’s main goal is to pay out as little money as possible by demonstrating that you may have been at fault for the accident and that your damages or injuries are minor–even nonexistent. Therefore, they do not have your best interests in mind.
You are not required to talk with the other driver’s insurance company.
When the other driver’s insurance company reaches out to you after the accident, do not give a recorded statement or sign a medical authorization form. The purpose of these statements is to lock you into a certain version of events, including the extent of your injuries and property damage.
However, what you know or feel can easily change just days after the accident as more injuries and damages become apparent. Anything you say to the other driver’s insurance company can serve as a basis for their company not to pay you anything, or to reduce the value of your claim.
The Most Common Injuries in Vehicle Accidents
There are two major categories of injuries caused by car accidents: impact injuries and penetrating injuries. The most common type of impact injury is when a person’s body hits the car’s interior. Knees hitting a dashboard or heads hitting the seat rest or side windows are examples. Frayed glass or objects flying inside the car can cause penetrating injuries such as cuts and scrapes.
Other injuries commonly suffered in auto accidents include:
- Head injuries: It is possible to sustain a severe head injury as well as a relatively minor one. When a car suddenly stops or changes direction, the heads of drivers and passengers may move in an unnatural manner. A neck or back strain or sprain may result from these movements (as discussed above); however, injuries can also be sustained to the head itself.
- Chest injuries: After car accidents, many people suffer from chest injuries. Injuries to the chest include bruises, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. Colliding with a steering wheel can result in chest injuries. This can also be caused by seatbelts and dashboards.
- Soft tissue injuries: The soft tissues of the body (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) can be injured. An automobile accident is most likely to result in this type of injury. Various types of soft tissue injuries are possible.
- Cuts and scrapes: Any loose objects inside the car become projectiles after an accident. It includes items such as cell phones, coffee mugs, eyeglasses, purses, books, and dash-mounted GPS units. All of these items can easily cut your skin or cause other injuries if they hit your body.
Other serious injuries can include burns from car fires, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, or even wrongful death in the case of a fatal car accident. If you were injured, don’t wait to call the team at Goldenberg Lauricella for help. We can help you seek justice and fair compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Every car accident is unique, but our car accident lawyers in Minneapolis can use our decades of experience as accident investigators to discover the specific cause of your wreck. Unfortunately, the reality is that a few different accident causes arise pretty frequently.
We see too many innocent people hurt as a result of common, simple issues like:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to take into account inclement weather
- Reckless driving, including speeding
Obviously, this is far from an exhaustive list. But the fact that the same forms of negligence show up in accident reports time and time again is troubling and tragic.
Car Accident Statistics in Minnesota
The average number of traffic fatalities in Minnesota over the past 10 years is 386 deaths per year. To date, the most dangerous year on Minnesota’s roads was 2009 before Minnesota instituted a primary enforcement seat belt law—the fatalities have decreased ever since. As of August 28, 2020, there have been 240 traffic accident fatalities in Minnesota. According to data provided by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, the most dangerous counties for traffic fatalities from 2014-2019 are:
- Hennepin County (11.2%)
- Anoka County (4.8%)
- Ramsey County (4%)
- Dakota County (4%)
- St. Louis County (4%)
- Stearns County (2.8%)
- Sherburne County (2.2%)
- Crow Wing County (2.2%)
- Scott County (2%)
- Becker County (1.2%)
What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident
No matter what causes it, a car accident is a terrifying ordeal for you and your family. In the moments immediately following the accident, you may be wondering what to do; there are some important tips to remember that can help you get proper care and protect yourself legally.
If you’re in a car accident, you should do the following:
- Call the authorities — immediately contact the police. Not only can they help secure the scene and ensure everyone gets the medical attention they need, but they can also help document the scene and determine who or what caused the accident.
- Document the scene — take photographs of the accident, exchange information with the other parties involved, and get witness statements, if available.
- Contact our car accident attorneys — we can communicate with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you don’t admit fault or sign something before you should, and helping you to seek financial restitution should you need to.
- Seek medical attention — some injuries from car accidents can take weeks and even months to manifest symptoms, so always get examined by your physician to identify potential issues.
With help from our Minneapolis auto accident lawyers, report the accident to your insurance company — insurance companies will often try to get you to sign statements or release the other parties from blame, but we can ensure the accident is fully investigated before any resolution occurs.
If you are in need of a car accident attorney in Minnesota, reach out to Goldenberg Lauricella today for a free initial consultation. Call (800) 903-1643.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do after a car accident injury?
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident injury?
Legally, you need an attorney to handle a car accident claim. However, doing so increases the chances of receiving fair compensation for what you are owed. Sadly, many insurance companies try to lowball clients who are not represented by an attorney. An attorney will ensure your rights are protected and you get what you are entitled to from the insurance companies involved in the case.
How much is my car accident injury claim worth?
Your car accident injury claim should include any losses you have suffered as a result of the incident. This should include losses related to medical bills, long-term recovery, lost time at work, and quality of life factors. It is difficult for an attorney to estimate the value of a car accident claim until a client is done treating and a long-term evaluation of the injuries can occur.
How can I determine who is at fault for the car accident?
The police officer on the scene typically makes the initial determination of fault. However, there are situations when this is not accurate. In that case, we can use witness statements, expert information, and accident recreation to help determine who is at fault.
What sets Goldenberg Lauricella apart from other law firms handling car accident cases?
With thousands of clients helped over our 38 years of experience, we have handled every type of car accident claim imaginable and taken down even the most ruthless insurance companies. We have the expertise you need to maximize the value of your case.
How long does it take to resolve a car accident injury lawsuit?
A car accident injury lawsuit may take months or years depending on how long the client is treating their injuries for and whether a lawsuit needs to be filed.