You will find there are many causes of car accidents in Minnesota. Even drivers who take every precaution and avoid distractions may find themselves involved in an accident at some point.
If you are involved in a Minnesota car accident, our attorneys can help you file a claim against the at-fault party. We have years of experience litigating these matters at Nelson Personal Injury, LLC.
Knowing some of the most common accidents may help you stay safe and avoid being a victim. Learn what these are here.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents in Minnesota. Even using a hands-free device can be distracting for the driver. Checking email or texting while driving is dangerous and now illegal across the state.
Other distractions exist, too. These include things like grooming, reading, looking out the window, changing the radio, and more.
Reckless Driving and Speeding
Another common cause of Minnesota car accidents is speeding and other types of reckless driving. If a driver exceeds the posted speed limit or drives too quickly for the road conditions, it reduces their ability to stop quickly and react to hazards. This increases the risk of an accident.
Drowsy Driving
You have likely heard of cases of people causing accidents while intoxicated; however, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous. If you are sleepy or physically fatigued, you should not get behind the wheel. If you do this, you may cause an accident. In fact, drowsy driving is another common cause of car accidents throughout Minnesota.
If a driver is sleepy or drowsy, they will not be able to focus on driving, and their overall reaction time will be reduced significantly. There is also the risk that the driver will fall asleep while behind the wheel.
Aggressive Driving
Frequent or unsafe lane changes, not allowing other drivers to merge, and tailgating are considered aggressive driving tactics that commonly lead to accidents. Most cases of aggressive driving occur in urban areas where congestion causes cases of frustration and road rage.
Faulty Equipment
While this cause of car accidents is not as well known, it is worth mentioning. If a driver does not maintain their vehicle and this lack of maintenance contributes to or causes an accident, the driver may be considered liable for the injuries or damages that occur. An example of when this situation will apply is if a driver has a loose bumper and it falls off, landing on the road and causing another vehicle to wreck. At this point, it would be the driver’s fault for the damaged vehicle.
Steps to Take After a Minnesota Car Accident
Now that you know the most common causes of Minnesota car accidents, it is helpful to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation. There is no question that the accident scene can be chaotic and confusing. If you are injured, the situation is even more complex.
However, while you are at the scene waiting for an ambulance or the authorities, it is a good idea to do whatever you can to gather evidence and remember the details of what occurred.
Specific steps to take after a Minnesota car accident include the following:
Seek Medical Treatment
Your top priority after a car accident is your health, safety, and well-being. This means being checked out by medical professionals – even if you do not think you were injured. Seeking medical treatment ensures that any hidden injuries are found and provides documentation connecting your injuries to the accident.
Gather Evidence
It is smart to gather evidence while you are still at the scene. Try to take photos or videos of where the accident occurred, the damage to the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries on your body. This type of evidence can be invaluable if your claim goes to court. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, too.
Keep All Medical Documents
You must keep a copy of all the medical records related to your car accident. These records will show the severity of your injuries and how much the treatment has cost you.
Track Your Missed Time at Work
Many car accidents cause injuries that prevent you from returning to work. If you must miss time at work due to your injuries, you need to keep track of how much time you miss.
Avoid Talking to Other Parties Involved in the Accident
You should avoid speaking to the other parties involved in the accident. Letting your car accident lawyer handle communication with the insurance company is also best. Most insurance adjusters will try to convince you to accept a settlement offer, knowing it is not the full value of your claim. Having an attorney can ensure you only accept a fair settlement offer or take the case to court to get a fair offer.
Get Help from an Experienced Minnesota Car Accident Attorney
At Nelson Personal Injury, LLC, our legal team has years of experience handling car accident claims. We can review the information and evidence available and work to gather additional proof that you deserve compensation.
We understand how devastating a car accident can be and how stressful all the related costs are. We want to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
The first step is to call our office to schedule a free initial consultation. There is no obligation, and we never charge you upfront for our legal services.
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