PERSONAL INJURY (FAQs 1–20)
- What should I do right after a car accident?
Get to safety, call 911, document the scene, get medical care! If an ambulance is offered, accept it! Adrenaline is a heck of a drug. We have had clients with broken ribs decline medical care. Auto-insurance will cover all emergency care. Our experienced legal team can juggle all the insurance claims. - Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance?
No. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney. They have their own best interest in mind, not yours. If they send you a check do not cash it. We recently secured $80,000 compensation for an injured client. The insurance company’s first offer? $500! - Do I need medical treatment even if I feel fine?
Yes. Many injuries appear hours or days later. We have had clients with broken ribs decline medical care. Adrenaline, anxiety, embarrassment can all mask initial pain. Most people expect to feel sore after a crash. However, many injuries like whiplash, shoulder injuries, and back injuries are degenerative. This means your condition gets worse even as your body works to heal. Your No-Fault auto insurance will cover the first $20,000. Contact an injury attorney who knows how to protect you! - How long do I have to file an injury claim in Minnesota?
Statute of limitations is 6 years for most injuries, but you should contact us immediately. 4 for medical malpractice. We take injury cases on a 1/3rd contingency fee basis (not 40-45% like the corporate firms). Hiring counsel right away saves you time and protects your rights! We give each case a fair chance to settle without litigation, but litigation = leverage for the injured party. - What if the police report is wrong?
Police reports frequently have errors and omissions. Typically a lot is happening at a crash scene, of which officers respond to many over the course of the week. Mistakes happen, particularly in instances where language barriers may exist. We have represented clients where officers did not even talk to despite serious injuries. Document what you can with your phone if you can! - Do I have a case if I was partially at fault?
Perhaps. Minnesota is a comparative fault state. As long as the other party is more at fault than you, you may recover. - Should I photograph my injuries?
Absolutely—date-stamped photos strengthen your claim. Pics or it didn’t happen. Video is even better! - How do I get my medical bills paid?
Minnesota No-Fault insurance may cover the first $20,000. After that, your health insurance will be primary, but you may have to pay back a subrogation claim if you receive a settlement. Our office will navigate the various insurance companies and medical bills for you so you can focus on your recovery. - Do I need a lawyer for a minor accident?
Minnesota has $4,000 treatment threshold for car accidents, but we advise hiring counsel right away. We recently helped a working mother with relatively minor neck pain following a car crash. Her neck pain got worse and worse. It turns out, she had multiple disc protrusions which would rub and contact her spinal chord. - What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
Minnesota requires all policies to provide you coverage in the instance you have been injured by another driver with too little or no insurance. I strongly recommend talking to your insurance agent and increasing your UM/UIM policy limit to $100k minimum, as it typically is very cheap coverage to increase. We are working on a case involving a piece of farm equipment which was not insured. Luckily, we have a uninsured motorist policy we can pursue. - Can I still claim if the damage to cars was minor?
Yes—injuries don’t always correlate with vehicle damage. Vehicles are built with such rigid frames these days! The rigid construction saves lives, but they don’t absorb impact. Instead they transfer a ton of energy straight through the bodies of the people inside. The violence of even low-speed collisions is immense. Vehicles have “easy speed” You never realize how fast you are going, even when barely throttling, until you are about to hit something. 15mph is parking lot speed to many people, but that’s probably faster than you can sprint. Now imagine sprinting full speed into a truck with 1500lbs behind you. - What if I wait too long to see a doctor?
Delays allow insurers to argue your injury isn’t related. You also sit needlessly in pain. A lot of people feel pressure to go to work. Your no-fault policy will cover up to $20,000 in lost wages (replacement services). There is no need to push it. You have to do what you have to do, but better safe than sorry.
