A serious car accident can cause significant disruption to your life. You could suffer severe physical and psychological injuries that impact your health, work, and finances.
Here at Maschka Personal Injury, our personal injury attorneys have been advocating for injured people for more than 25 years. Based in Mankato but serving the surrounding areas, an experienced Olivia car accident lawyer from Maschka Personal Injury can manage your claim, protect your rights, and ensure your fair treatment.
If a car crash injures you, you must first file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurer. This coverage pays for your medical expenses and a partial wage loss if you are unable to work, regardless of who caused the crash.
If nobody in your household has a vehicle registered in Minnesota, you may not have access to PIP coverage. If your injury occurred while riding in someone else’s vehicle, the driver’s PIP will generally provide coverage.
Thankfully, you do not need to exhaust or exceed your PIP coverage in order to file an injury claim. You can file a claim if your injuries disable you for at least 60 days, cause permanent injuries or disfigurement, or cause more than $4,000 in medical expenses. Our attorneys will review your case to determine whether you meet the statutory threshold to bring a legal claim in Olivia after your car collision.
If you meet the threshold to bring a personal injury claim, you can claim compensation from those responsible for the crash if you can prove they were negligent. In a car accident case, a driver is negligent if they fail to use reasonable care and cause harm to someone else.
Our attorneys will gather evidence of negligence after a car wreck in Olivia. We will contact the negligent parties, inform them of your claim, and pursue compensation for your injuries from their insurance company. The negligent party’s insurance company typically responds with a counteroffer, and we can often reach a fair settlement without needing to file a lawsuit.
The money you can recover from a personal injury claim represents the damages caused by the crash. You could obtain damages that reimburse your injury-related expenses and losses, such as the cost of the medical care and diminished income. If you will need ongoing medical care or cannot return to work, your damages should cover your treatment and your diminished earning potential.
The law also entitles you to damages for your pain and suffering. You can claim compensation for disability, lost enjoyment of life, physical pain, emotional anguish, and the other intangible impacts of your injury. Our attorneys will collect statements from you and your family about how the car wreck changed your lifestyle and diminished your quality of life in Olivia.
Minnesota Statutes § 549.20 allows you to seek punitive damages if a responsible party acted with deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of others. Punitive damages are additional compensation that is designed to punish wrongdoers and acknowledge their misconduct. Punitive damages are rarely awarded, but they are sometimes granted in cases involving drunk or reckless drivers.
Our lawyers can review your specific situation to assess what damages may be available.
Recovering from a serious injury can be exhausting, and it can require all of your focus. An Olivia car accident lawyer at Maschka Personal Injury can help you manage your personal injury claim. Your first consultation is free, so schedule an appointment to discuss your crash with our intake team today.
