Virtually everyone is involved in at least one car accident in their lives. While some are just fender benders, others are more serious and cause more extensive damage and injuries.
If you are involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. At Nelson Personal Injury, LLC, our legal team is here to help with your case and protect your rights.
However, you can prevent some accidents by knowing some of the common ones that occur.
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1. Rear-End Accidents
A common type of car accident that occurs in Minnesota is a rear-end collision.
This type of accident occurs when one vehicle collides with the back (or rear) of another. Rear-end accidents can occur almost anywhere. They can happen on busy highways or in parking lots.
Usually, rear-end accidents occur if one vehicle is following too closely to another and the driver in the vehicle ahead hits their brakes, resulting in fast de-acceleration and limited reaction time for the driver in the rear.
The most common injury that occurs in rear-end collisions is whiplash, which damages the neck and may remain undetected for several days or weeks.
2. Head-On Collisions
While head-on accidents are not as common as rear-end accidents, they are more dangerous. If someone is involved in this type of accident, it means a vehicle driving in the opposite direction hits the front of their vehicle.
It can cause severe damage and injuries since both vehicles often travel at high speeds when the incident occurs.
Common causes of head-on collisions include a driver being distracted, falling asleep behind the wheel, or being drunk and drifting into the oncoming lane of vehicles.
3. Single Vehicle Collisions
Many car accidents in Minnesota don’t involve more than one vehicle. Some people collide with static objects, which can have just as severe of an impact as it would with another vehicle.
In fact, some stationary objects can do more damage depending on their position, shape, or composition. In other situations, a vehicle may drive off the road because the driver loses control, and an accident occurs. This may be because the car flips, goes off an edge, or inclines on the side of the road. No matter the case, there is a high possibility of severe injuries in single-vehicle accidents.
4. Multi-Vehicle Collisions
While single-vehicle accidents happen, multi-vehicle collisions are more common. This is especially true in areas with heavy traffic, high speeds, and congestion.
When more than one vehicle is involved in an accident, there is an increase in the danger and potential of injuries. Sometimes, a chain reaction can occur, leading to a pileup. If several vehicles hit each other in succession, there is a chance of severe injuries and even fatalities as more vehicles “pile on.”
5. Merging Car Accidents
Merging into another lane is a common part of driving. Unfortunately, it also leads to several accidents. Some drivers do not look or check the area next to them or see if the lane they are moving into is empty, which makes it safe to merge. This often leads to them hitting the side of another vehicle, sometimes at high speeds.
Cars may also speed up while another vehicle merges into the lane ahead, which can cause a collision.
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Steps to Take After a Minnesota Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident due to one of the causes above or another reason, you must take the right steps to protect yourself, your safety, and your ability to recover compensation.
The accident scene may be chaotic and confusing, with people and vehicles everywhere. However, try to stay calm and remember what you need to do to protect yourself and your rights.
Some steps to take include the following.
Contact the Authorities
Even when the accident seems minor, you should contact the authorities. In fact, it is required by law that you contact the police in Minnesota if your accident resulted in damages of more than $1,000, if someone was injured, or if someone passed away because of the accident.
When the police arrive, they will fill out an accident report with all the important information about the incident.
Gather Evidence
If your injuries are not too severe and you can do so safely, you should collect evidence while you are at the accident scene. This includes taking pictures of damages to your vehicle, road signs nearby, and physical injuries you sustained. You can use this to support your claim for compensation (if you file one).
Seek Medical Attention
You need to be evaluated by a doctor, even if you do not think you are injured. Some injuries caused in an accident can take days or weeks to appear. These hidden injuries can be found and treated with an immediate medical evaluation. The medical treatment will also be documented, providing proof of your injuries from the accident.
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Avoid Admitting Fault
When talking to anyone about the accident, be sure you do not admit fault. This includes saying things like, “I am sorry.” If you do, this can be used by the at-fault party’s insurance company to deny your compensation claim.
Contact an Attorney for Help with Your Minnesota Car Accident Claim
If you are involved in a car accident in Minnesota, be sure to contact our legal team at Nelson Personal Injury, LLC, for assistance. You can schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your claim so we can investigate the situation.
We recommend contacting our office as soon as you can. The sooner we can investigate the accident, the better chance we will have to help you secure the compensation you are entitled to.
You have rights after a Minnesota accident. We want to help protect these rights on your behalf.
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