Minnesota’s no-fault system for car accidents is designed to keep many small claims out of court, and it works well for minor accidents. However, contacting an attorney after a Mankato car accident can be a critical step if you were injured. An experienced auto accident attorney can review your situation, explain whether your injuries meet the state’s legal threshold for filing a claim against the at-fault driver, and help you pursue fair compensation.

Providing All Necessary Support

When you are injured in a crash, you need to focus on your recovery. You and your family need time to adjust to any changes the injury will make in your lives.

Consulting a Mankato attorney soon after a car collision allows you to focus on health and family during your recovery. Our firm will handle communication with insurance companies and other aspects of building your case.

Gather Evidence To Establish Fault

Even though Minnesota is a no-fault state for car accidents, determining who was responsible for the crash is critical. If you are badly hurt, you will need to prove the other driver was at fault to collect appropriate compensation.

Conducting a proper investigation requires experience and skill, so it is important to discuss your car crash case with an attorney in Mankato. Depending on the circumstances, our lawyers may need to request or subpoena evidence such as video footage of the accident, cell phone records, and vehicle maintenance records. When necessary, we can engage an accident reconstruction expert to provide a written opinion on the cause of the crash.

It is also essential to document your role in the accident. Minnesota Statute § 604.01 allows an insurance company to discount your damages or avoid paying anything if you were partially or primarily responsible for the crash. We can compile evidence demonstrating that other parties were primarily at fault and that your responsibility, if any, was minimal.

How Do You Prove Your Damages?

Contacting a lawyer after a Mankato auto accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. If your recovery requires more than a short time off work, your expenses can be substantial. When you bring a claim against the at-fault driver, you must prove that you are entitled to the compensation you seek.

Our attorneys can show you how to document your losses from the vehicle wreck and prove your damages. You may be entitled to recoup your expenses, including:

  • Reasonably anticipated future medical care
  • Necessary home renovations to accommodate your injury
  • Medical supplies and services not covered by your health insurance
  • Lost wages and the value of any paid time off you used during your recovery
  • Diminished earning capacity if your injuries will permanently impact your ability to work
  • Incidental expenses, such as mileage to health care facilities while you are at medical appointments

You can document these losses in a variety of ways, including invoices, statements from your health insurer, employment records, tax returns, and opinions from medical experts and economists.

You may also be entitled to damages for your pain and suffering. You can demonstrate the impact the injury had on your quality of life by providing photographs, video, medical records, personal journals, and statements from loved ones and associates.

Talk to an Experienced Mankato Lawyer After a Car Wreck

When you suffer a significant injury in a crash, the responsible party’s insurance company should provide compensation. Contacting an attorney after a Mankato car accident is the best way to start the claims process. Contact Maschka Personal Injury to learn more about how we support clients in Mankato and the surrounding areas.