Car Accident Attorneys Serving Minnesota And Wisconsin
At Walsh & Gaertner, our attorneys and staff are dedicated to helping injury victims. We are committed to working for you to ensure you are treated both fairly and respectfully. Despite our best efforts, car accidents happen every day. According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety, last year alone 77,707 traffic accidents occurred in Minnesota, which included 30,653 injuries and 387 traffic fatalities. Your life, or the life of a loved one, can change in an instant.
If you have recently been involved in an accident, you may be unsure how to best move forward — our attorneys can help. Call us today at 651-968-8028 to schedule a free consultation.
The Experience To Advocate For Your Interests
Our team of seasoned personal injury attorneys has represented thousands of injured people throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. When you or a loved one is involved in an accident, it is imperative you seek legal representation to ensure your rights are protected. The lawyers at Walsh & Gaertner are dedicated to advocating for you, your family and loved ones, no matter how big or small your case may be.
The effects of an accident can be overwhelming. During this difficult time, your only focus should be on getting better, rather than dealing with the insurance companies. The attorneys at Walsh & Gaertner will work for you and keep your best interests at heart, enabling you to focus on your recovery.
What To Do If You Are In An Accident
Despite our best efforts, accidents happen. If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be uncertain about what to do next. At Walsh & Gaertner, we take pride in assisting clients who have been injured in car accidents in the St. Paul area. We help them as they seek to get their lives back on track.
Should you find yourself in the unfortunate aftermath of a collision, here are some tips on what to do after an accident:
- Call 9-1-1, relax, breathe. Even if it appears no one is injured, call the police to the scene.
- Get the facts. Collect the following information from any drivers involved: auto insurance company, policy number, license plate number and contact information.
- Take pictures. Document injuries, property damage to vehicles (especially the location of impact on each vehicle), accident scene, road conditions, road signs and any skid marks.
- Seek medical attention. Seek immediate medical assistance for any injuries sustained and make sure they are clearly documented.
- Call your insurance company. Call your agent or the claims processing number listed on your policy and report the accident, or if you’d like, we’ll do it for you.
- Protect your rights. If you’re contacted by the insurance company representing the other driver, do not discuss the facts of the accident and do not sign any documents or accept any settlement without first consulting with an attorney in order to protect your rights.
- Document your medical expenses. It’s important to maintain accurate records of your medical bills in the aftermath of an accident. This documentation can prove vital to establishing that your injuries stem directly from your collision. Medical records and bills also help establish the severity of your injuries and can impact the amount of any settlement.
Call Walsh & Gaertner. An experienced lawyer can be a valuable resource in the aftermath of a car accident. Our seasoned team of attorneys is ready to assist you with your case.
What Insurance Coverage Applies To Accidents?
Auto insurance can be a complicated topic to understand. If you find yourself involved in a car accident, you may have more questions than answers when it comes to how your insurance coverage will apply. At Walsh & Gaertner, we have a wealth of experience in this area, and we are happy to offer our clients the guidance they need. Here are a few types of insurance coverage that can be applied after an auto collision:
Minnesota No-Fault Insurance
Under Minnesota law, insurance companies are required to provide no-fault automobile insurance as part of every automobile policy. This means your automobile insurance company is required to pay for your medical expenses, wage loss and replacement services due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident, regardless of what or who caused it. Seems easy, right? Well, many times it’s not, but don’t worry, our legal team handles this situation all the time. We’ll assist you in setting up your no-fault claim to make sure you’re reimbursed properly. Some no-fault benefits include:
- Up to $20,000 for reasonable, necessary and related medical expenses for injuries suffered in the crash, including the following:
- Medical, surgical, X-ray, hospital, nurse and extended care services
- Costs for optical, dental, chiropractic and rehabilitative services
- Prosthetic devices and prescription drugs
- Ambulance expenses and mileage reimbursement for medical treatment transportation
- Up to $20,000 for lost wages and/or replacement services
Liability
Sometimes our best preventative efforts simply aren’t enough. Unfortunately, for every safe driver on the road, there is another who’s texting, surfing the web, or just plain careless while driving. If you are involved in an accident caused by another driver, we should be your first call after 9-1-1. We’ll help you make a claim against the at-fault driver and get the funds you need to ease your pain and suffering. Now, if there’s a dispute over who caused the accident, that’s when we roll up our sleeves and get to work. We’ll conduct a complete and thorough investigation to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt where the liability really lies. In order to present a claim against an at-fault driver in Minnesota, you have to meet a legal requirement called “threshold.” Threshold includes four distinct requirements, and at least one must be met before pursuing a liability claim:
- A permanent injury
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Medical expenses in excess of $4,000 (excluding diagnostic tests)
- 60 days of disability
- Death
Uninsured Motorist
We know, it sounds like a nightmare. You’ve been involved in an accident, only to learn the other driver doesn’t have insurance. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many Minnesotans who find themselves in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. This is unfortunately more common than you might believe — it is estimated that one out of seven drivers on the road are uninsured. Don’t worry, if this situation arises, we’ve got your back. You may be entitled to recover costs for the expenses the other driver would have paid from your insurance carrier. This is called uninsured motorist coverage, and if you carry car insurance, you have this protection.
Underinsured Motorist
What happens if you’re involved in a car accident, and the other driver does not carry a policy large enough to compensate you for your injuries? You call us. Even if the other driver has insurance, it may not be enough to reimburse you for the medical expenses you have incurred as a result of an accident. Underinsured motorist coverage is another layer of protection you carry under your own car insurance. In cases like these, it’s important to contact the attorneys at Walsh & Gaertner to discuss your options before you pursue your claims. We’ll make sure you get the best possible compensation.
Our Firm Can Start Working For You Today
Walsh & Gaertner will investigate the accident to determine fault, handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company, ensure any settlement includes medical expenses and fair compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. We will work to get you a fair settlement, and if one cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
To find out more about how we can help you with your case, contact us today at 651-968-8028. We can also be reached via email.