Traffic accidents can cause serious injuries no matter where or how they occur, but a wreck in a rural area, like Waseca, can be uniquely dangerous. Compared to a collision in a more urban part of the state, a crash on a rural highway can happen at higher speeds, and in places where it is less likely that a traffic camera or an eyewitness will see the incident happen.
If you have recently been injured in an out-state Minnesota car crash, you will want help from an experienced personal injury attorney from small-town Minnesota. Once retained, a Waseca car accident lawyer from our team can help bring order to your life and provide the custom-tailored support you need to pursue a civil claim.
Minnesota takes what is often referred to as a “no-fault” approach to auto insurance and to auto accident litigation. Minnesota vehicle owners are required to purchase a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage before they can legally drive on public roads. This includes liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, and no-fault coverage (also known as personal injury protection coverage).
In the event of a traffic accident, a person’s medical bills are first paid by their own no fault coverage. The state requires at least $20,000 in no fault medical expense coverage. A person’s no-fault coverage also pays for a portion of their lost wages after an accident. The policy will typically cover 85% of a person’s lost wages, up to $500 per week.
In addition, Minnesota Statutes § 65B.51 prohibits people who have been injured in a car crash from filing suit unless they meet a tort threshold, such as incurring more than $4,000 in crash-related medical expenses or sustaining a permanent injury or permanent disfigurement. Guidance from a Waseca attorney can be key to understanding how these and other legal restrictions may impact the civil recovery process after a car crash.
Even if someone has legal standing to file suit over a car wreck, they can only recover compensation if they can prove someone else involved in the incident was legally negligent.
Depending on the circumstances, legally actionable negligence can be as obvious as a traffic offense noted in the police department’s crash report or as subtle as a momentary lapse in concentration that was not visible to anyone outside the negligent driver’s vehicle. In the latter-type scenario, support from a seasoned lawyer can be essential to collecting all available evidence and building the strongest possible argument to hold someone else liable for injuries caused by a Waseca car accident.
Auto accidents cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities each year in the state of Minnesota, and most of those accidents can be traced back to the negligence of at least one person involved. Without help from knowledgeable legal counsel, you may have trouble proving fault for your crash and receiving full compensation for your injuries.
Fortunately, you can have help from a Waseca car accident lawyer who is ready to fight on your behalf. Call today to learn more during a free consultation.
