Motor Vehicle Accidents
In a split second, your entire life can change. Car, truck and other motor vehicle accidents can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident, the most important thing you can do is seek medical treatment. The next step is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
At Reitan Law Office, PLLC, our family-owned firm has been advocating for motor vehicle accident injury victims for more than 35 years. We understand the physical, emotional and financial toll motor vehicle accidents take on the entire family, and we are here to help. Let our family help your family.
Our offices are located throughout the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota in Chaska, Mankato and Minneapolis.
Getting You The Compensation You Need To Heal And Support Your Family
At Reitan Law Office, PLLC, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident. Our lawyers go to the scene to evaluate the situation, we interview witnesses and we talk to your medical providers. Once we have identified all potentially liable parties and learned the full extent of your injuries, we will build your personal injury claim to maximize your potential compensation.
Over the years, our firm has handled everything from minor to severe and fatal accidents involving:
Common Causes Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, and there are often multiple contributing factors. Some common examples include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers can get distracted by cellphones, passengers, children, the radio, a GPS or eating and drinking in the car.
- Drunk driving: Even in cases where drivers are not over the legal limit of a BAC of 0.08%, the use of alcohol or other drugs can lead to impaired driving.
- Weather conditions: Snow, ice, rain and fog can all impact things like visibility and traction on the road surface. Drivers must adjust their speed and drive carefully based on the conditions they face.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Speeding increases the odds of an accident by reducing reaction times, and it also makes injuries more severe. When drivers intentionally break the speed limit by a significant amount or take other aggressive actions—such as weaving between traffic lanes or running stop signs – they could be charged with reckless driving.
Even when you drive properly, you are only as safe as the drivers around you.
Types Of Vehicle Accidents
The specific accidents that happen for the reasons listed above can fit into a few different categories, such as:
- Rear-end accidents: The following driver always needs to maintain a proper following distance so they can stop in an emergency.
- Head-on accidents: These often happen when someone is impaired or distracted and drifts across the center line.
- T-bone or side-impact accidents: These often happen at intersections, which are one of the most dangerous places on the road, leading to roughly 25% of all fatal accidents.
- Rollover accidents: These are sometimes single-vehicle crashes, where a driver loses control and leaves the roadway. They can also be caused by defective products, such as a poorly manufactured tire that gives out without warning and causes the vehicle to flip or roll.
- Multiple vehicle accidents: Chain reaction accidents can happen, especially if multiple drivers are tailgating. These accidents are also very common in snow and ice.
- Lane change accidents: These often happen on the interstate when a driver changes lanes without using their blinker or does not check their blind spot.
No matter what type of accident you were involved in, if the other driver caused it, then you may be entitled to substantial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.
Minnesota’s No-Fault Auto Accident Laws
Following an automobile accident, you need to notify your own insurance company. If you are injured in an automobile accident, you have the right to seek medical treatment, and the treatment should be paid for by your automobile insurance carrier. The accident-related treatment should be paid by your insurance carrier regardless of who actually caused the accident. Your insurance company should also pay for accident-related wage loss, replacement services and loss of primary homemaker benefits. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding no-fault benefits are available here.
Motor Vehicle Accidents In Fargo, North Dakota
We also represent clients who have suffered injuries from accidents in North Dakota as well. When you are trying to recover from a North Dakota accident, it is important to understand the differences in the law from Minnesota. Our extensive experience representing clients in both states allows us to represent you through any challenge in either state.
Understanding North Dakota’s Auto Accident Laws
North Dakota has unique auto accident laws that differ from those in Minnesota. In North Dakota, the state follows a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning your insurance company will cover your damages, despite who was liable for the accident. You may be able to pursue compensation outside of the no-fault system by filing a lawsuit directly against the liable driver if you experience extreme consequences in the accident, exceeding costs of a certain amount.
Local Resources And Support For Fargo Residents
For Fargo residents, it is important to know who in your area you can turn to for additional support after an accident, so we have included links to places you may need to reach out to here:
Medical Care
Law Enforcement
Transportation and Road Safety
If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident in Fargo, North Dakota, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Our team can help you through every step of your personal injury claim in Minnesota as well as North Dakota.
We Tailor Our Approach To Fit Your Needs And Comfort Level
While our attorneys are always prepared for trial, we continuously negotiate with insurance companies. Because local insurance companies know our firm is ready to try a case if necessary, they often agree to more beneficial settlements that make litigation unnecessary.
Get the compensation you deserve after a motor vehicle accident. Contact our firm today at 952-448-2800, 701-581-7854, 507-388-1800 or 612-424-6011. Consultations are free and cases are handled on a contingency basis. We only get paid attorney fees if you are compensated.