Every driver in Minneapolis has shared the road with someone who wasn’t paying attention. A glance at a phone, a text at a red light, or a quick search for GPS directions—these small actions lead to serious crashes more often than most people realize.

Distracted driving collisions happen every day across the city. They’re common on Washington Avenue near downtown, coming off I-94, and at intersections like Lake and Lyndale. They can involve drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and the injuries are often life-changing.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we’ve spent more than 60 years helping people across Minneapolis after serious crashes. Our attorneys understand how distracted driving cases work and why the details matter, whether it’s cellphone data, dashcam footage, or witness reports. We know what it takes to hold distracted drivers accountable and help victims recover.

Call (612) 339-9121 or contact us online for a free case review with a Minneapolis distracted driving accident lawyer.

“They listened to my concerns and stood up for my rights.”

Many people who contact us feel overwhelmed by pain, medical bills, and uncertainty about what to do next. Scott Wouters described his experience after a crash in Minneapolis:

“I was hit in a motor vehicle accident and knew I needed help. Jim at Meshbesher & Spence listened to my concerns and fought for my loss. Their help eased my stress and gave me confidence. My family thanks you and your team.”

Clients like Scott remind us of the stakes in distracted driving cases. The injuries are serious, and so are the legal decisions that follow. We’re here to help you make the right ones.

Distracted Driving Crashes Happen Every Day in Minneapolis

Despite Minnesota’s hands-free law and public safety campaigns, distracted driving continues to cause serious injuries in Minneapolis. These crashes happen across the city—on busy streets, near entertainment venues, and during daily commutes. The data makes it clear:

Nearly 1 in 9 crashes in Minnesota involve driver distraction, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Hennepin County leads the state in distraction-related crashes, including high-risk intersections like Lake & Hiawatha, Nicollet Avenue, and Lyndale.
Minneapolis police issued over 6,500 citations for distracted driving during a 2025 enforcement campaign.
Rush hour on I-35W, events at U.S. Bank Stadium, and weekend traffic near Uptown are some of the most common settings for distraction-related crashes.

For injured drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, these statistics aren’t just numbers. They’re the reason so many people call Meshbesher & Spence after a crash. We help victims hold distracted drivers accountable and recover the compensation they need to rebuild.

What Causes Distracted Driving Accidents in Minneapolis?

Most distracted driving crashes happen because of simple, everyday choices—ones that drivers don’t think will cause harm until it’s too late. In the cases we handle across Minneapolis, the most common distractions include:

Reading or sending text messages,
Scrolling through music or social media apps,
Checking GPS directions,
Talking or arguing with passengers, and
Eating, reaching for dropped items, or adjusting vehicle controls.

We’ve handled cases involving everything from a college student checking directions in Dinkytown to a delivery driver looking away from the road on Lyndale. If inattention caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation, even if the other driver never admits fault.

Distracted driving accidents often leave people with serious injuries and steep medical bills. You don’t have to face the legal process alone.

Call (612) 339-9121 or contact us today to speak with a Minneapolis distracted driving accident attorney who knows how to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Protect Yourself After a Distracted Driving Crash in Minneapolis

What you do right after a crash can directly affect your health and your case. Insurance companies move fast to minimize payouts, especially in distracted driving claims. These steps can help protect your rights:

Get medical care immediately, even if you don’t feel injured at first. Some crash injuries take time to appear, and delays in treatment can be used against you.
Request the police report and review it carefully. It may contain early statements or details that shape your case.
Track your injuries and treatment in a journal or notes app. These details can become critical evidence.
Stay off social media when it comes to your accident or recovery. Insurance companies monitor posts to use against claimants.
Decline recorded statements from insurance adjusters. You are not legally required to give one.
Talk to a Minneapolis distracted driving accident attorney before dealing with the other driver’s insurer.

Why It’s Risky to Give a Statement to Insurance

After a distracted driving crash, the other driver’s insurance company may call and ask for a “quick” statement. What they’re really looking for is a way to reduce your claim. Even small comments, like “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see them coming”, can be taken out of context and used against you.

You have the right to say no to a recorded statement. Speaking with a Minneapolis distracted driving accident lawyer first protects you from saying something that could damage your case.

What Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident in Minneapolis?

A distracted driver’s decision to look away from the road can lead to months or years of recovery. Under Minnesota law, injury victims can pursue compensation for the full financial, physical, and emotional costs of a crash. That includes:

Medical expenses: Hospital care, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing treatment;
Lost income: Missed work, job loss, or reduced future earning capacity;
Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or PTSD after the crash;
Property damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement;
Permanent disability: Compensation for life-changing injuries or impairments; and
Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, lost family income, and loss of companionship (in fatal cases).

Insurance companies often try to settle these claims before victims know the full extent of their injuries or long-term needs. Working with an experienced Minneapolis distracted driving attorney gives you the time, leverage, and support to demand a fair result.

Our Case Results for Minnesota Crash Victims

At Meshbesher & Spence, we’ve helped Minnesotans recover more than $1.1 billion after life-altering crashes. Recent examples include:

$7.1 million settlement for an 18-year-old in Cass County who suffered orthopedic injuries and a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a drunk driver.
$800,000 settlement for a 26-year-old who went into a coma after being hit by a semi-truck, resulting in permanent brain trauma.

We’ve represented crash victims across Minnesota, including right here in Minneapolis. From distracted driving crashes on Nicollet Avenue to serious accidents near the University of Minnesota campus, our attorneys understand how these cases play out in local courts. That experience helps us anticipate insurance tactics and build cases that reflect the actual cost of recovery.

A recent Martindale-Nolo survey found that personal injury victims who waited for a better settlement, often with help from an attorney, recovered an average of $30,700 more than those who accepted the first offer. We see this happen every day. The first offer rarely reflects the actual cost of a serious injury.

How Meshbesher & Spence Builds Your Distracted Driving Case

Insurance companies don’t pay full compensation willingly. They rely on teams of adjusters and defense attorneys to minimize claims, delay payments, and pressure victims into settling for less.

Our attorneys handle the legal work so you can focus on your recovery, not negotiations or paperwork. That includes:

Taking over all communication with the insurance companies;
Calculating the full cost of your injuries, from medical bills to future lost income;
Working with doctors and financial experts to document long-term impacts;
Pushing back on lowball offers and delays, and filing a lawsuit when needed; and
Preparing your case for trial if the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith.

“We’ve handled distracted driving cases where someone looked down for two seconds, and it changed our client’s life for two years. That kind of carelessness should never be ignored.”

— Josh Tuchscherer, Attorney & Partner, Meshbesher & Spence

Why Distracted Driving Cases Require Immediate Action

Distracted driving cases depend on fast action. Phone records, dashcam footage, and surveillance video from nearby businesses can help prove distraction, but this evidence doesn’t stay available forever. Some video systems overwrite data within days, and eyewitnesses may become harder to reach over time.

The sooner you contact a Minneapolis distracted driving lawyer, the faster your legal team can start preserving key evidence. Our attorneys move quickly to secure cellphone logs, subpoena data when needed, and work with investigators to build the strongest possible case.

Talk to a Minneapolis Distracted Driving Attorney Today

For more than 60 years, we’ve helped Minneapolis crash victims hold negligent drivers accountable. We understand how these cases work, how insurers push back, and how to build the strongest possible claim for the compensation you deserve.

Call (612) 339-9121 or message us online for a free consultation with an experienced Minneapolis distracted driving accident lawyer today.

Minneapolis Distracted Driving Accident FAQs

• How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a distracted driving accident in Minnesota?

Minnesota law gives you six years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to seek compensation. It’s important to speak with an attorney early, while evidence is still available.
• What if a passenger or cyclist distracted the driver?

Distraction isn’t always limited to the person behind the wheel. If a passenger interferes by grabbing the wheel, blocking the driver’s view, or creating another hazard, you may have a claim against that person as well. Minnesota law allows injured victims to hold all negligent parties accountable, not just the driver.
• Should I give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company?

No. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. These statements are often used to limit or deny claims. Speak with a distracted driving attorney first to protect your case.
• Who pays for rehab if I can’t work after the crash?

If a distracted driver caused your injuries, you can seek compensation for rehabilitation costs, including physical therapy, vocational retraining, and counseling. These expenses are part of the damages we help clients recover in distracted driving cases.

Minneapolis Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

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