Striving For Fair Compensation For Car Accident Injuries

Obtaining fair compensation and the medical care needed after a car accident is not something that comes without some kind of action. Typically, the only way to acquire the needed compensation is through the representation of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. By obtaining the proper compensation the accident victim needs, he or she can take the time to recover rather than worry about how they are going to pay the bills.

Stephens Law P.A., with offices in Duluth and St. Cloud, advocates aggressively for individuals injured due to no fault of their own. These injuries result in losses and it is important for those losses to be recovered. With over 25 years of experience, founding attorney Francis Stephens is determined to help his clients get the compensation and medical care needed to move on with their lives.

Understanding Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance Laws

Minnesota follows the no-fault insurance rule, which means your own insurance company pays for your initial medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident. This is regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage, called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), provides up to $20,000 in medical benefits and $20,000 in wage loss and replacement services. Your PIP kicks in immediately, helping you get treatment without waiting for fault determinations or lengthy investigations.

However, Minnesota’s no-fault system has limits. If your injuries are serious, meaning your medical bills go over $4,000, you suffer permanent injury or scarring, you’re disabled for 60 days or longer or the accident resulted in a death, you can go after the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other losses that PIP doesn’t cover.

Mr. Stephens helps you understand when your case qualifies and guides you through the process of pursuing full compensation beyond your PIP coverage.

Common Causes Of Serious Crashes In Duluth And St. Cloud

The roads in northern Minnesota present unique challenges that contribute to serious accidents. Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions throughout much of the year. Ice, snow and reduced visibility lead to chain-reaction crashes on highways and dangerous intersection collisions. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or following distance for winter conditions put everyone at risk.

Highway accidents involving semi-trucks occur frequently on major routes like Interstate 35 and Highway 10. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make these crashes especially devastating. When truck drivers or trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, driver training or federal safety regulations, innocent people suffer catastrophic injuries.

Distracted driving remains a leading cause of accidents across both communities. Drivers who text, check social media or take their attention off the road cause rear-end collisions and intersection crashes that could have been prevented. Left-turn accidents at busy intersections also cause serious injuries when drivers misjudge oncoming traffic or run red lights.

Mr. Stephens investigates every aspect of your crash to identify all responsible parties and insurance coverage available to compensate you fully.

Mr. Stephens’ knowledge, experience, skill and determination to succeed for clients have led to a great deal of success. Among the most common claims he handles are:

• Drunk driving accidents: Advocacy for the survivors of serious drunk driving crashes.
• Automobile accidents: Representing drivers and passengers who sustained serious injuries.
• Distracted driving accidents: Holding distracted drivers accountable for their actions.
• Truck accidents: Highly skilled in handling complex semi-truck accident claims.

He also handles wrongful death cases in which he represents the families of loved ones killed due to the negligence of someone else.

Devoted To Helping You Recover Fully

When you work with Francis Stephens, you will have a powerful advocate in your corner who not only does everything he can to recover compensation but also sets you up to recover emotionally and physically. He works with you one-on-one and is always accessible, shouldering your burden along the way.

He knows how to handle the insurance companies so that you can worry less about money and put your focus on recovering. Mr. Stephens will investigate the accident’s cause and evaluate the issues regarding the party that is liable and the insurance coverage. He will monitor the medical treatment that you receive and obtain copies of bills and medical records so that they can be included in your personal injury claim. He works hard to help you receive the maximum compensation by placing value on the injuries and pain and suffering that you are experiencing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents In Minnesota

Do you want to know your rights after a car accident? Here are some questions you may have:

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

If you have been in a car accident, it is crucial to call for emergency help. The police should arrive at the scene of the accident. They will make a police report detailing the parties involved in the accident, the time and location of the accident and how the accident may have occurred. This report is a crucial document for a successful auto accident claim.

Paramedics can also arrive at the accident to care for your wounds. You may be transported to a hospital to have your wounds treated by professional medical practitioners. A medical report can detail the impact of your injuries on your life.

After receiving emergency care, you can contact an attorney to learn how to begin a car accident claim and protect your interests before you speak to the insurance company.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? Can I still file a claim?

Yes. Minnesota requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage helps ensure people who are injured by uninsured drivers can still recover compensation. A driver can file a claim with their own insurance company after an accident with an uninsured driver. A claim could also be filed against the uninsured driver to recover damages.

What types of compensation can I receive after a car accident?

There are two types of compensation that you could recover from a successful car accident case: economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages are tangible losses that are caused by bills, debts and other financial obligations. Medical bills are one of the most common types of economic damages, often caused by hospital stays, rehabilitation, medical procedures, medical equipment, medication and long-term care. Wages lost during recovery and future lost income are two types of economic damages. Another type of economic damage includes bills for funeral expenses and burial or cremation costs that the surviving family members had to pay after a fatal car accident.

Noneconomic damages are intangible losses. Some types of intangible include emotional turmoil, stress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment from life, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. Intangible losses cannot be compensated with money, so calculating the impact of intangible losses is often more difficult.

Mr. Stephens can help evaluate the impact of a car accident and help calculate the value of a case.

Contact A Caring Advocate Today

If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve the right to hold them responsible and seek compensation. You can schedule a free consultation with Stephens Law P.A., at their offices in Duluth or St. Cloud at a time that is convenient for you. Call the law office at 218-260-2562 or send Mr. Stephens an email. Evening and weekend appointments are available.