Roseville is a beautiful place to live, of course, but it’s seen its fair share of car accidents in recent years. Far too many people have lost their lives due to the recklessness and carelessness of others. But that’s the story everywhere in the United States. Just a momentary lapse of focus, or getting behind the wheel when not in the right frame of mind, can result in a catastrophe.
If you’ve suffered a severe injury in a car wreck that wasn’t your fault, the Roseville car accident lawyers with Sand Law will be here for you. Our team of attorneys not only has a deep understanding of this area of the law, we also deliver positive results to our clients on a regular basis. Our track record of success is as extensive as our experience.
Learn more about how we may be able to help you by scheduling a free consultation as soon as you can. Give us a call at 651-291-7263 or use our online contact form.
Roseville, MN Car Accidents in the News
Our city has experienced several tragedies due to vehicle accidents. These are three examples that happened in only a two-month span.
- In May 2022, a single car crash killed a 30-year-old man. He was speeding on Highway 36 when he took the Dale Street exit. He sped through the intersection, then drove up the entrance ramp back to the highway. The man then hit an area of grass and lost control. The vehicle rolled repeatedly and he was dead at the scene.
- A June 2022 pedestrian accident took the life of a 3-year-old girl. She and the man with her were trying to cross Larpenteur Avenue, near the intersection of Galtier Street when they were struck by a motorist. The man was hospitalized in critical condition.
- In July of that same year, a teenager died when driving his SUV through a Highway 36 construction zone that had been closed off. The vehicle crashed into Lake Elmo after hitting a dirt pile, ejecting the driver – who was not wearing his seat belt.
What Types of Injuries do Car Accidents Cause?
Even when someone is lucky enough to survive an accident, they can be left with injuries that are so debilitating they can no longer take care of themselves, much less pursue the activities they once loved. These are just a few of the many types of devastating injuries that can result.
- Injuries to the head and neck. Car wrecks commonly lead to concussions due to a victim hitting their head on a solid surface. A driver, for example, may slam their head against their side window due to a side impact collision. This can lead to not only a loss of consciousness, but also confusion and long-term pain. Whiplash is a neck injury often caused by a rear-end collision. The neck whips back and forth, causing severe nerve and muscle damage.
- Traumatic brain injury. This is a particularly horrible type of injury that can leave a victim helpless. TBI can make it impossible for someone to even be able to perform the most basic of everyday tasks.
- Damage due to broken bones. When a bone is fractured severely, pieces can perforate nearby organs, causing a great deal of damage. This can also lead to potentially fatal internal bleeding.
Distracted Driving, Intoxication, and Other Common Causes of Car Accidents
A car wreck can happen for just about any reason you can imagine, of course. But three of the most common are distractions, impairment and speeding.
It might not seem like it would be that big of a deal to check a quick email while you’re driving, or send a text or make a phone call. But while we do these things without even really thinking about them most of the time, when you’re behind the wheel it takes your focus off of the road longer than you think. It doesn’t take long for that lack of focus to cause an accident.
When someone drives when drunk or on drugs, they can’t react as quickly as when they’re sober. The results can obviously be devastating. Speeding can be just as bad, because people who do this will often panic and overcompensate when they encounter something unexpected.
Who’s At Fault for My Car Accident?
Even if you’re totally convinced you weren’t to blame for the accident, that won’t mean a thing when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve. You’ll need the help of an attorney to determine fault, and to work to get you that money. Your attorney will perform an investigation to get to the bottom of what happened so that they know who to target with legal action.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
The word “damages” is just another way of saying the financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. They’re divided into three categories – economic, non-economic and punitive. Here’s a quick look at each.
Economic Damages
These are tangible damages that can be easily calculated, such as your lost wages, your medical bills and others.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are quite a bit more complicated. You may have experienced severe emotional and mental trauma due to the accident, as well as a great deal of pain and suffering. A skilled attorney will know what to demand from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for these and other subjective damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages can be much higher than the others mentioned above. However, they’re very rarely awarded. When they are, they’re designed to punish the defendant, making an example out of them so no one else commits the same mistake. One example is a drunk driver who chooses to drive while impaired, and kills or severely injures someone in a wreck as a result.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
While it’s rare, there are some instances where a personal injury case will go to trial. This will sometimes be necessary when an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. The vast majority of the time, however, a car accident case will settle out of court.
Do I Need to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Yes. It will be your only chance of obtaining full and fair compensation. The other side will fight fiercely to defeat you, and will include a team of skilled professionals who love it when accident victims don’t have legal representation. They win those cases very easily.
Don’t let this happen to you. Get in touch with a Sand Law car accident attorney immediately for a free case review. You can use our online contact form, or you can call 651-291-7263.