Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can feel overwhelming. You may be juggling ongoing medical appointments and struggling to negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.

A Pipestone car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and navigate the fight for the recovery you deserve. Reach out to our law office today to speak with a highly skilled personal injury attorney.

Common Causes of Car Collisions

While a car crash can be caused by poor weather conditions or vehicle malfunction, driver negligence is often the reason for a wreck. Motorists may act negligently and risk an accident when they engage in the following behaviors:

  • Distracted driving (e.g. texting, talking on the phone, eating, putting on makeup, etc.)
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Not adhering to traffic signs and signals
  • Not yielding the right-of-way
  • Speeding or aggressive driving
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Failing to check blind spots before merging

Get in touch with a dedicated lawyer today for help with a car collision case.

 Insurance Coverage  After a Car Crash

Minnesota law requires motorists to carry no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage to cover the immediate damages after an accident.

The minimum required PIP insurance covers up to $40,000 in expenses per person per accident, including $20,000 in medical costs and $20,000 in non-medical costs, such as lost wages. However, it does not cover non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. An injured person may only make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company if they meet a tort threshold, as set forth by Minn. Stat. 65B.51.

When to Contact an Attorney After a Wreck

Individuals who suffer injuries in a car accident in Pipestone may assume they do not need to contact a lawyer since they can file a claim through their own insurance company.

However, insurance companies may fight to reduce the compensation they have to pay out, leaving many injured people without the compensation they deserve.

A seasoned attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and fight back when the insurance company makes a low settlement offer or denies liability for the accident.

Injured parties can also contact a lawyer whenever they have questions about their rights or how to navigate an injury claim. Our attorneys start with a free consultation to help you better understand your next steps.

The Statute of Limitations in Car Accident Claims

The statute of limitations governs how long parties have to file a claim after an accident. In Minnesota, individuals generally have six years from the date of the car accident to bring a personal injury claim and three years from the date of the accident to bring a wrongful death claim. Failing to file within this timeframe could result in losing the ability to recover damages.

Schedule a Meeting With a Pipestone Car Accident Attorney Today

When you suffer injuries in a crash, do not try to navigate the claims process on your own. Even when dealing with your own insurance company, you could miss out on the full compensation you deserve.

Contact a Pipestone car accident lawyer at Maschka, Riedy, Ries, & Frentz Law Firm to discuss your rights.