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Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers

50 years of experience fighting for injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families

Drivers on all of Minnesota’s interstates, state routes, and local roads have a duty to drive safely. Most car accidents are preventable if drivers act responsibly. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, our trial lawyers have earned the respect of former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our preparation, advocacy skills, and record of verdicts and settlements. We hold drivers and other responsible defendants accountable for the injuries and fatalities they cause. Our Minnesota car accident lawyers demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages. Call us now to assert your right to compensation.

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How common are car accidents?

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in 2022, there were 444 traffic deaths in Minnesota. Nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 39,345 traffic deaths. According to the National Safety Council, in 2023, the number of traffic fatalities increased to 44,762. In 2023, 5.1 million people suffered motor vehicle accident injuries that required medical consultations.

Car accidents occur quickly. A car traveling at 30 mph is traveling nearly 50 feet per second. All types of accidents occur in those 50 feet. Increase the speed and multiply the seconds it takes to recognize and respond to an emergency, and it’s easy to see why so many car accidents happen.

What types of accidents do your Minnesota car accident lawyers handle?

At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we handle all types of car accidents, including the following:

  • Head-on accidents
  • Broadsides
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Intersection accidents
  • Sideswipes
  • Hit-and-run accidents
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What are the causes of car accidents in Minnesota?

Our Minnesota car accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts (if necessary), car parts experts, and through the discovery process to show why your accident happened and why it was preventable.

Some of the reasons car accidents happen in Minnesota are:

  • Speeding. Driving over the speed limit, too fast for traffic conditions, or too fast for weather conditions reduces the time drivers have to anticipate and respond to traffic conditions, and reduces the ability of others to steer clear of speeding drivers. Seatbelts and airbags are less likely to work the more forceful the impact. Speed increases the force of a collision.
  • Drunk driving. No one should ever drink and drive. Alcohol affects a driver’s judgment, reasoning, coordination, and ability to act rationally and quickly.
  • Driver distraction. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we hold drivers who fail to focus (physically and mentally) on their driving. Driver distraction includes the following:
    • Texting
    • Using a mobile phone
    • Looking at a navigation device
    • Drinking or eating
    • Adjusting entertainment systems
    • Caring for a child or a pet
  • Tiredness. Drivers who are tired cannot anticipate and respond to emergencies. They can’t concentrate. They can’t physically respond quickly.
  • Driving too closely. Drivers should leave enough distance between their car and the car in front of them to stop, even if the driver in front stops suddenly. Tailgating is a leading cause of rear-end accidents.
  • Defective car parts. Our Minnesota car accident lawyers hold manufacturers liable when their car parts cause accidents due to defective design, construction, warnings, or instructions. Defective car parts include brakes, tires, fuel lines, windshield wipers, seatbelts, and airbags.
  • Minnesota traffic violations. In addition to speeding, drivers can cause accidents if they fail to yield properly, merge or pass improperly, drive the wrong way, or violate any state traffic law.

Roads can cause accidents due to negligent design, maintenance, or repairs.

Who is liable for my car accident?

At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims in car accident cases against everyone fully or partially responsible for your accident. The defendants may include one or more of the following:

  • A driver
  • A driver’s employer
  • The owner of the car, if different from the driver (such as a parent or employer)
  • A seller of alcohol who illegally sells alcohol to a minor or a person who is intoxicated
  • Manufacturers of defective car parts
  • The Minnesota Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies or entities

What insurance pays for my accident claim?

Minnesota is a no-fault state. This means that your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance pays some of your bills regardless of fault. You can file a personal injury claim only if you meet certain requirements.

No fault/PIP coverage

PIP insurance compensates the following people if there is a car accident in Minnesota:

  • The policyholder – the owner of the vehicle
  • The spouse and children of the policyholder
  • Any relatives in your household, unless they have their own car insurance policy
  • Anyone you grant permission to drive your car unless they have their own car insurance policy.

PIP insurance covers:

  • Your medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Replacement services – the cost to pay for household chores because your injuries prevent you from doing them
  • Up to $2,000 in funeral bills

The minimum PIP coverage covers up to $20,000 just for medical bills and another $20,000 that can be used for the other PIP expenses. Car owners can buy more than the minimum amount.

Our Minnesota car accident lawyer will help you obtain the PIP benefits you deserve. You must seek PIP benefits within six months of the accident.

Driver liability coverage

Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC will help you file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver if you qualify. Personal injury benefits, as we explain below, include all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

To qualify, a victim must meet one of the following conditions:

  • The victim has $4,000 or more in reasonable medical expenses due to the accident.
  • The victim has at least 60 days of disability, a permanent injury, or permanent disfigurement.

Uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage

Even though Minnesota requires that car owners have liability insurance, many owners don’t have insurance or just have the bare minimum. If the defendants don’t have the money to pay your full claim, we can file a UM/UIM claim with your own insurance carrier. We work to obtain the UM/UIM compensation you deserve. Our attorneys can help you and anyone in your household.

In Minnesota, car owners must buy the following minimum liability coverage:

  • PIP: $40,000
  • Bodily injury to others: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident
  • Property damage, such as car damage: $10,000 per accident
  • UM/UIM insurance: $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for injuries to two or more people

Other insurance policies

In addition to PIP coverage, liability coverage, and UM/UIM coverage, the following policies may compensate you for some of your damages:

  • Collision insurance. This policy pays for the damage to your car regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance. This policy pays if your car is vandalized, stolen, or suffers non-traffic damage due to other causes listed in the policy.
  • Gap insurance. This coverage pays for any shortfall in the amount you owe on your car versus the value of your car, due to a car accident.
  • Rental insurance. This coverage pays for the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is undergoing repairs.
  • Roadside assistance coverage. This pays for towing, battery charges, and other roadside help.
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What injuries do your car accident lawyers handle?

Our Minnesota car accident lawyers handle all types of serious injuries, including catastrophic injuries, permanent injuries, and injuries that heal with appropriate medical care. Some of the many types of personal injuries Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC handles include:

  • Head trauma including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
  • Spinal cord damage including paralysis.
  • Traumatic amputation/loss of limb.
  • Broken bones/fractures.
  • Burns.
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage.
  • Neck, shoulder, and back pain.
  • Nerve and muscle damage.
  • Ligament, tendon, and tissue damage.
  • Whiplash.
  • Vision loss.
  • Hearing loss.
  • Cuts, bruises, and lacerations.
  • Scars and disfigurement.
  • Emotional trauma.
  • Death.

What’s the value of my Minnesota car accident claim?

Our Minnesota personal injury lawyers work with your doctors to understand the full scope and severity of your injuries. We work with other experts too, including life planners for catastrophic injuries, financial experts, your employer, and car appraisers.

We’re prepared to help you obtain compensation for all your financial and personal damages (current and future), including:

  • Medical costs of every nature including ER care, hospitalizations, doctor visits, rehabilitative care, medications, and assistive devices.
  • Lost income including wages, business income, benefits, and long-term disability compensation.
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering.
  • Car damage and any other property damage.
  • Loss of life’s pleasures.
  • Loss of bodily function.
  • Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations).

We file wrongful death claims if your loved one dies in a Minnesota car accident. We also seek punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct consists of gross negligence or willful misconduct, such as when drivers operate their vehicles while intoxicated.

What are the time limits for filing my car accident claim in Minnesota?

Accident victims and families generally have six years after the crash to file a personal injury claim and three years after the victim’s death to file a wrongful death claim due to a car accident. Shorter timelines apply for claims against the government.

Don’t wait. Contact us as soon as possible. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can answer your questions, speak with witnesses, investigate the accident, and review your medical needs.

Do you have a Minnesota car accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet clients at our offices located at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota and 701 Xenia Ave. S., in Golden Valley, Minnesota. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can arrange to see you at your home or a nearby health facility. We also consult with clients by phone and through online video applications.

We’re here to answer your questions, explain your rights, and guide you through the claims process.

Contact our Minnesota car accident lawyers now

We understand how anxious and worried you are. A careless driver changed your life. Now you’re seeing doctors, worrying if you can return to work, living with a lot of pain, and wondering how you’ll pay your bills. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we’ve helped many car accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve. We’re ready to help you restart your life. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent clients in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs.