Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The firms in this guide
1. SiebenCarey
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, workers’ compensation, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, mass tort, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, third-party liability claims, workers’ compensation
Background: Founded in 1952 as Minnesota’s first personal injury law firm. The firm has represented over 70,000 people throughout the region. Sixteen trial attorneys at SiebenCarey are Super Lawyers or Rising Stars honorees. The firm has 7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists from the Minnesota Bar Association and 3 Board Certified Trial Advocates. Five attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year. The firm operates under the “Know Your Rights” philosophy.
Location: Minneapolis, MN (serving Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
Contact: https://www.knowyourrights.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, workplace injuries
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, PIP claims
Background: The firm has championed the cause of the seriously injured for over 50 years. The firm provides legal services for personal injury accident victims in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Contact: https://www.schwebel.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. Knutson + Casey
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, recreational accidents, dog attacks, defective products, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, third-party liability claims, evidence gathering, court filings
Background: Founded in 1992, Knutson + Casey is recognized as a premier hometown law firm with a long history of successful case results. The attorneys are members of groups limited to those who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The firm is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA).
Location: Minneapolis, MN (also serves southern Minnesota)
Contact: (507) 344-8888 | https://knutsoncasey.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Sand Law, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, truck accidents, wrongful death, dog bite injuries, slip and fall accidents, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence collection, case building for maximum compensation
Background: Sand Law, LLC is an aggressive Minnesota litigation firm with attorneys who focus in personal injury. The firm has developed a vibrant personal injury practice serving all of Minnesota. The firm carefully selects cases to ensure attentive representation for each client.
Location: St. Paul (First National Bank Building), Minneapolis (Grain Exchange Building), Woodbury (near 494 and Valley Creek Road), White Bear Lake (near 35-E and HWY 96)
Contact: (651) 291-7263 | https://www.sandlawllc.com
Consultation: Free confidential consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Meshbesher & Spence
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, mass tort, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, PERA disability claims
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, motorcycle crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical device injuries, drug recall cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, PERA and MSRS disability claims, workers’ compensation claims, mass tort litigation
Background: Since 1961, the firm has represented injured individuals and families who have lost a loved one due to negligence or wrongdoing. The firm is nationally recognized with 60 plus years of service. Ken Meshbesher was one of the original partners. James Sheehy continues to serve clients in consultation with the firm’s legacy of unwavering commitment to justice.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Contact: (612) 339-9121 | https://www.meshbesher.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
The No-Fault Threshold, Required Coverage and Comparative Fault for Minneapolis Car Crashes
A Minneapolis car crash claim for pain and suffering in Minnesota first has to clear the no-fault tort threshold, either $4,000 in medical expenses or a listed serious injury. Minnesota also sets liability and uninsured motorist minimums, bars recovery when the injured person’s fault is greater than the defendant’s, and makes a defendant over 50 percent at fault answer for the whole award.
The No-Fault Threshold
Under Minn. Stat. 65B.51 subd. 3, in a negligence action arising from a motor vehicle covered by required security, no person recovers damages for noneconomic detriment unless the medical expenses described there exceed $4,000, or the injury results in permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, death, or disability for 60 days or more. Under subd. 1, basic economic loss benefits paid or payable are deducted from the recovery.
Liability and Uninsured Motorist Minimums
Under Minn. Stat. 65B.49 subd. 3 and 3a, a plan of reparation security must carry residual liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage, and separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident each.
Comparative Fault
Under Minn. Stat. 604.01 subd. 1, contributory fault does not bar recovery if it was not greater than the fault of the person against whom recovery is sought, and damages are diminished in proportion to the fault of the person recovering; the jury can be directed to return special verdicts on damages and each party’s percentage of fault.
When a Defendant Pays the Whole Award
Under Minn. Stat. 604.02 subd. 1, severally liable persons contribute in proportion to their fault, except that a person whose fault is greater than 50 percent, persons acting in a common scheme or plan, and a person who commits an intentional tort are jointly and severally liable for the whole award.
Minneapolis Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue after a Minneapolis car crash?
In D.M.S. v. Barber (2002), the Minnesota Supreme Court stated that, generally, personal injury actions grounded on negligence must be commenced within the six-year period of Minn. Stat. 541.05, now subd. 1(5); 541.07(1) sets two years for the torts it lists. Confirm with counsel which period applies to the facts of your claim. A claim against the city also needs notice to its governing body within 180 days after the injury is discovered under Minn. Stat. 466.05.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your fault is not greater than the other driver’s. For example, imagine $110,000 in damages and 35 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under 604.01 subd. 1 the recovery would be $71,500.
Is leaving the scene of an injury crash a crime in Minnesota?
Yes. Under Minn. Stat. 169.09 subd. 1 and 14, a driver must stop, investigate and remain when the driver knows or has reason to know of injury or death; a driver who leaves after a collision causing bodily harm faces up to 364 days or a $3,000 fine, and a driver who did not cause the collision commits a felony if it caused death or great bodily harm.