Rochester Car Accident Lawyer

A serious crash in Olmsted County can disrupt your income, health, and daily life. Between hospital bills, missed work, and insurance delays, it can be difficult to know where to turn or how to recover what you’ve lost.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we’ve represented crash victims across Minnesota for over 60 years. Our Rochester car accident lawyers understand the roads here, from icy morning pileups on Highway 52 to rear-end collisions near Apache Mall. We focus on your recovery by building cases that reflect the full cost of your injuries—medical, financial, and personal.

Call (507) 280-8090 or contact us online for a free case review with a Rochester car accident lawyer. 

What Our Clients Say About Working with Us

“I couldn’t have been more impressed by the representation Meshbesher & Spence provided. Jim Sheehy’s communication, organization, and leadership were top-notch. I was frequently updated and never left in the dark during this process, and every question I had was answered quickly and clearly.

Jim and his colleague Josh Tuchscherer fought for me during mediation like the case was their own. They made both me and my wife feel at ease from start to finish. Their focus, preparation, and professionalism were on full display, and it showed in the results. I truly felt like I was represented by the best lawyers—period.”

— Alex G., Client

Watch: How Meshbesher & Spence Stands Up for Crash Victims

Wondering what to expect after a crash or how a Rochester car accident attorney can help? This short video explains how we protect your rights and pursue full compensation, allowing you to focus on your healing.

Rochester Crash Data and What It Tells Us

Traffic in Rochester moves through a mix of residential neighborhoods, hospital zones, and commercial corridors. In 2023, the Rochester Police Department responded to 1,016 reported crashes. Of those:

• 338 injuries, affecting nearly 470 people,
• 62 crashes involved commercial vehicles,
• 17 crashes occurred in construction zones, and
• January saw the highest number of crashes.

And while the city reported no crash-related deaths in 2023, at least three fatal crashes had already occurred in 2024 by mid-year.

This data reflects what many Rochester drivers already know: weather, traffic volume, and roadway design all influence crash risk. Winter ice, strong crosswinds, and busy intersections, such as South Broadway and 12th Street SE or Civic Center Drive and 6th Avenue NW, remain high-risk areas. Similarly, routes near Mayo Clinic campuses and construction-heavy zones on Highway 52 are also affected.

Understanding where and when accidents happen can help strengthen your case. It also shapes how our attorneys investigate fault, interview witnesses, and review city crash reports to support your claim.

What Commonly Causes Car Accidents in Rochester?

The most common causes behind local crashes in Rochester include:

• Distracted driving. Cell phone use, GPS inputs, and even glancing at Mayo Clinic signs or pedestrian activity downtown can pull focus from the road for a split second, long enough to cause a crash.
• Speeding. On roads like East Circle Drive or stretches of Highway 52, drivers often exceed safe speeds, especially in clear weather. But Rochester’s winters don’t forgive that kind of risk-taking. Icy patches and snow buildup can turn speeding into a spinout or rollover.
• Driving under the influence. Alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers remain a leading cause of serious crashes across Olmsted County. Despite public awareness, DUI arrests still climb during weekends and holidays.
• Reckless or aggressive driving. Tailgating near school zones, unsafe lane changes by impatient drivers, and cutting across intersections to beat the light are all regular issues in Rochester crash reports.
• Weather-related hazards. With an average of 48 inches of snow and wind gusts that routinely exceed 12 mph, Rochester conditions require slower speeds and longer following distances. Not all drivers adjust accordingly.

We review police reports and crash data in every Rochester case to determine what went wrong and how it could’ve been avoided. This includes examining road conditions, signage, camera footage, and driver behavior patterns on key routes such as 16th Street SW, 2nd Street SW, and North Broadway Avenue.

After an Accident: Why You Shouldn't Give a Recorded Statement

Insurance companies often ask for a recorded statement shortly after a crash. It may seem like a routine part of the claims process, but what you say on record can limit your options later.

Even casual phrases—like “I didn’t see them coming” or “I’m fine”—can be used to dispute liability or downplay injuries. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that may shift blame or suggest your injuries are minor or unrelated.

In Minnesota, you’re not required to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. You have the right to delay any conversations until you’ve spoken with an attorney. That conversation can wait. Your physical condition, the facts of the crash, and your legal rights deserve to be reviewed in full before you go on record.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we handle communication with insurers on your behalf. That protects your case and allows you to focus on medical care, documentation, and recovery.

A serious car accident in Rochester can leave you with injuries that don’t heal quickly and costs that keep piling up. From surgeries to time away from work, the impact reaches far beyond the crash itself.

If another driver caused the collision, you have the right to pursue full compensation. Contact Meshbesher & Spence at (507) 280-8090 or message us online to speak with a Rochester car accident attorney who understands the unique challenges faced by local crash victims and knows how to advocate for what they’re owed.

Types of Compensation in a Rochester Car Accident Case

After a crash, you may be dealing with much more than car repairs or a trip to the ER. Injuries can affect your ability to work, care for your family, or move without pain. Minnesota law allows you to pursue compensation for both financial losses and the toll on your quality of life.

You may be entitled to recover:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, follow-ups, physical therapy, medications, surgery, or specialist care.
• Lost income: Wages you missed while recovering, plus any future income loss tied to long-term injuries.
• Property damage: Repairs or replacement for your vehicle and any damaged personal items.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the mental toll of dealing with an injury.
• Loss of enjoyment: Compensation for hobbies, activities, or daily routines you can no longer do.
• Wrongful death damages: If a loved one was killed in a crash, you may be able to recover funeral expenses and financial support they would have provided.

Insurance companies often make quick settlement offers before the full impact of your injuries is clear. These early amounts rarely reflect the full cost of your recovery. 

Speaking with a lawyer before agreeing to anything gives you the chance to understand what your claim is actually worth and why. A Rochester car accident attorney can walk through your medical needs, lost income, and longer-term effects to pursue compensation that reflects what you’ve been through.

What Our Case Results Support

Compensation doesn’t undo a crash, but it can cover what’s needed—surgeries, rehabilitation, long-term care, and income replacement. These results reflect the support our clients secured:

• $7.1 Million Settlement: For an 18-year-old hit by a drunk driver in Cass County. He sustained multiple orthopedic injuries and a traumatic brain injury.
• $800,000 Settlement: For a 26-year-old who was struck by a semi-truck and remained in a coma for more than a week. He later faced significant brain trauma.

A Martindale-Nolo survey found that injury victims who waited for a stronger offer—often with legal representation—recovered an average of $30,700 more than those who accepted the first amount offered by the insurance company.

Rochester residents deserve that same advantage. Call Meshbesher & Spence at (507) 280-8090 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with a car accident attorney who understands Minnesota’s laws and what your recovery may require.

How a Rochester Car Accident Lawyer Helps After a Crash

Insurance companies often don’t take car accident claims seriously, especially when the injuries aren’t immediately visible. They might downplay your pain, rush a low offer, or argue the crash wasn’t their policyholder’s fault.

A Rochester car crash lawyer at Meshbesher & Spence steps in to level the field. That means dealing directly with the insurer, pushing for full compensation, and handling the legal details so you don’t have to.

Our team understands the seriousness of these cases. One missed paycheck can snowball into lost housing, overdue bills, or delayed medical care. We’ve spent decades helping injured Minnesotans push back, recover what they’re owed, and get their lives back on track.

Why Choose a Rochester Auto Accident Lawyer at Meshbesher & Spence

After a crash, you may not know what to expect or who to trust. You want answers about medical bills, lost income, and whether the insurance company’s offer covers everything you’re dealing with. We help you get those answers and take action to protect what’s at stake.

For over 60 years, Meshbesher & Spence has handled car accident claims across Rochester and southern Minnesota. We understand the delays, the paperwork, and the tactics insurers use to avoid full payment, and we push back.

Call (507) 280-8090 or contact us online to speak with a Rochester auto accident attorney who has handled cases like yours and can guide you through what to expect during a free consultation.

Proudly Representing Rochester Residents