Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, and you might be feeling lost on what to do next, especially if you’ve been injured. From insurance requirements to what kind of compensation you could be entitled to, the process can be confusing.
Whether you’ve been in a crash on Highway 15 or Highway 23, it’s important to understand how Minnesota laws apply to car accident claims to protect yourself and your rights. That’s where a car accident attorney in St. Cloud steps in. They will understand the ins and outs of state laws to guide you through your case confidently.
For over 60 years, Minnesotans have turned to Meshbesher & Spence during life’s toughest moments, and we don’t take that trust lightly. When you entrust us with your case, we treat it as a privilege, and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you were injured in a car crash in St. Cloud, MN, reach out to our car accident team for a quick and 100% free case evaluation today online or by calling (320) 656-0484.
“We were very happy working with Pam at Meshbesher and Spence. She was highly educated and knew what we could expect. She was so easy to work with and kept us updated on the progress. She treated us like family, she was very caring working with my Mom. She was honest, telling us what we could expect for an outcome. We miss seeing her and would not hesitate to work with her again. I highly recommend her and her colleagues.”
– Client | Janet O.
For those who live in St. Cloud, you’ve probably driven Highway 10, Division Street, or 5th Avenue countless times without a second thought. These roads are part of your daily routine, and like most people, you never expect anything out of the ordinary.
But then, one day, everything changes in an instant. A moment of carelessness or a split-second decision by another driver, and suddenly, you’re facing an accident you never saw coming.
St. Cloud is only the 12th largest city in Minnesota, with nearly 70,000 residents as of 2020. However, the average household in St. Cloud owns two cars, meaning the city is just as prone to car accidents as any other. Here are some 2024 statistics from the MN Crash website offering a closer look at car accidents in Stearns County, home to St. Cloud:
Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but trying to deal with the aftermath on your own can feel like a losing battle. Acting quickly after an accident is crucial to recovering the costs you’ve incurred.
We’ve seen firsthand how fast the expenses from a crash can pile up. Filing a claim may assist in paying for things like medical expenses, car repairs, time away from work, and more, depending on the facts of the accident.
However, with so much on your plate, like physical recovery, emotional stress, and the daily demands of life, finding the time, energy, and resources to handle your claim can feel impossible. A car accident lawyer in St. Cloud can help take the guesswork out of the process, guiding you through the legal steps so you don’t have to face it all alone. Here’s how they can help you:
Having an experienced legal team in your corner can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your rights will be upheld. Not only can an attorney help reduce stress when it comes to the legal process, but they may also be able to give your case a leg up.
In fact, a 2016 Martindale-Nolo study found that more than 90% of people who hired a lawyer for their personal injury claim received a settlement or award, compared to just about half of those who tried to handle it on their own. And the payouts were much higher too, with those with legal representation walking away with an average of $77,600, while those who represented themselves averaged only $17,600.
You should expect the other driver’s insurance company to reach out to you for your version of the events. While they may seem friendly and helpful, it’s important that you remember that the goal of the insurance company is to pay as little as possible.
Giving a recorded statement could unintentionally hurt your case, as they may use your words against you later. Anything you say can be twisted or misinterpreted, even if you think you’re just being honest. For example, if the insurance company inquires about how you’re feeling after the accident, they may use this intel to argue down the line that you weren’t really injured.
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate tricky conversations with insurance companies. Your attorney will make sure that you don’t accidentally compromise your case by communicating with the insurance company on your behalf.
Don’t risk making a misstep that could cost you. Get in touch with Meshbesher & Spence today online or by calling (320) 656-0484 to protect your rights in a car accident claim.
After an accident, you should contact the police because having a police report to back up your claim strengthens your case. You’ll also need to document the scene and gather as much information as possible from the other driver, including the other driver’s name, contact details, home or office address, registration plate number, insurance card number, and the vehicle’s manufacturing year, model, and license plate numbers.
You’ve got the police report and the other driver’s information, but what happens next? If you choose to take legal action, here’s what the timeline and steps of your car accident claim may look like:
“I have dedicated my career to helping people and families who suffer losses as a result of another’s conduct. I am their advocate during these difficult times.”
– Pamela Spaulding | Attorney at Meshbesher & Spence
A car accident can affect all aspects of your life, causing far more trouble than just physical pain. A collision brings with it unexpected and costly consequences. However, by filing a claim, you may be able to recover financial support to address all the ways the accident has impacted you.
Compensation in a claim is usually broken up into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the financial costs you’ve had to pay because of the accident. These damages can be proven by tallying up their monetary losses through bills, receipts, and other documentation. There must be concrete evidence of these costs or losses.
Non-economic damages are harder to measure because they involve things that don’t have a direct dollar amount. This money is for the pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally, you’ve experienced, including disfigurement, decreased quality of life, mental anguish, and physical impairment.
Below is a further breakdown of what may be available to you in a car accident claim.
Your hospital bills, physical therapy sessions, and medical prescriptions should all be covered by the insurance company after an accident. You may be entitled to compensation for your present and future medical expenses if continuous medical attention is needed and if you need to make any repairs to your vehicle due to the accident.
You will be compensated for the time you lost from work while recovering and the potential income you will never earn again. For instance, if an accident causes nerve damage in a casual laborer’s hands, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to continue his career. He could file a claim for lost future earnings if he was fired and had to choose a lower-paying job.
This term is commonly used to describe an injured person’s mental and physical distress after an incident.
These aren’t meant to compensate the victim, but instead to punish the other driver for their extremely reckless behavior and to warn others about the dangers of such actions.
Punitive damages are usually only given in cases where the driver’s actions were especially dangerous or careless, like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For example, if a drunk driver caused the crash, a court might award punitive damages to punish the driver for their actions and to hopefully prevent similar reckless behavior in the future.
Since 1961, Meshbesher & Spence has proudly served Minnesotans in St. Cloud and beyond. We bring the experience and knowledge of a big city law firm with the personal touch of a small town practice.
When you work with us, you’re never treated as just another case number. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your unique needs, and fight for the compensation you deserve. This personalized approach and dedication have driven us to recover over $1.1 billion for our clients, including $800,000 for a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a collision and $500,000 for a client who experienced severe spinal injuries following a car accident.
If you were injured in a car accident in St. Cloud, MN, Meshbesher & Spence is here for you. Get in touch with us online or call (320) 656-0484 today to learn why we’re the firm Minnesotans have trusted time and time again.
Minnesota is known as a “no-fault” state. This means that regardless of who was at fault for the accident, injured drivers and passengers generally need to turn to their personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance coverage to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and similar costs. Assuming that the other driver was at fault, claiming from the other driver’s insurance provider is only necessary if your damages exceed your policy’s maximum.
This rule is in effect in Minnesota per Section 604.01 of the Minnesota Statutes. You can still file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages sustained in a car crash, given that your degree of fault is less than that of the individual against whom recovery is sought. However, you will receive a proportionally smaller award. You cannot be more at fault than the person you are suing.
Insurance claims adjusters in Minnesota are required to follow the comparative negligence rule, and so are Minnesota courts if your car accident case goes to trial.
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, you generally have six years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury claim. While this might seem like plenty of time, it’s important to start the process as soon as possible to ensure all the details of your case are properly handled and evidence is preserved. It’s recommended you get a lawyer involved earlier as waiting too long could hurt your chances of receiving full compensation.
At Meshbesher & Spence, we fervently believe that costs shouldn’t stand in the way of people getting helpful and supportive legal representation. For this reason, our team operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no upfront legal costs and only pay if we win your case.