Car accidents are a common cause of serious injuries in Willmar. The unfortunate reality is that some collisions are impossible to avoid when sharing the road with careless or negligent drivers. When that happens, a dedicated personal injury attorney from Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm might be able to help you pursue damages.

You have the right to seek compensation after a collision that was not your fault. Although you can pursue your claim alone, the other party is likely to have the support of their insurance company and a team of attorneys. A Willmar car accident lawyer can help even the odds during this difficult time.

Proving Negligence

Building a case for negligence following a car accident requires proof of four important elements. Failing to establish even one of them can leave an injured person without compensation. A Willmar car accident attorney can assist with developing the evidence needed to prove your case. The four elements of negligence include the following:

Duty of Care

The first step of any negligence claim is establishing that a duty of care exists. In some types of cases, this can be challenging. However, in motor vehicle accident lawsuits, the duty of care is rarely in doubt. This is because drivers have an obligation to operate their vehicles safely.

Breached Duty

After establishing the duty exists, the next step requires proof the other driver breached the duty of care. The duty of care can be breached by a careless, reckless, or intentional act that led to a crash. In car accidents, these actions can include speeding, impairment, or aggressive driving.

Causation

The term causation describes the link between a person’s injuries and another party’s breach of the duty of care. In other words, injured people can only recover damages from injuries directly caused by the defendant.

Damages

The final step in the process is highlighting compensable damages. Even when the other elements are present, monetary damages are only appropriate when a person can show they sustained a physical, emotional, or financial loss.

Common Car Accident Injuries

As a Willmar attorney can explain, car accidents are known for causing debilitating injuries, even when the impact seems relatively minor. Some common examples include:

  • Burns
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding
  • Traumatic brain injuries

It is vital to seek medical care immediately after developing any of these conditions and have any injuries documented by a medical professional.

Types of Collisions

Motor vehicle accidents can happen under many circumstances. They might involve a single car or many vehicles.

Rear-End Crash

The most common type of accident is a rear-end collision, which involves the front of one car striking the back of another. This is most likely to happen at an intersection.

Head-On Wreck

The most dangerous type of crash is a head-on, or front-end, collision, which involves the front of two vehicles striking each other. The combination of traveling at a high speed and in opposite directions can lead to a tremendous amount of force which can cause devastating or even life-threatening wounds.

A Willmar attorney can pursue legal action after any car accident. The important issue is whether there is evidence that negligence caused the crash.

Talk to a Willmar Car Accident Attorney About Your Legal Options Right Away

When you are hurt in a severe car crash, you can seek damages from the at-fault party. Having the support of strong legal counsel from Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm can improve your chances of success.

Call a Willmar car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options during a private consultation.