An accident with a drunk driver often means serious injuries and expensive medical bills. You may be forced to miss work, and your debts may start to add up. You and your family may have no choice but to endure the hardships until you recover.
A person who drives while intoxicated in Minnesota is negligent in their duty to operate their vehicle safely. You may be able to hold them financially liable for your damages. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Minneapolis can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Postman Law has recovered over $3 billion in settlements and awards for our clients who were injured in accidents due to no fault of their own. Others promise, Postman delivers. Call today for a free consultation and find out how our car accident lawyers in Minneapolis can help.
Understand No-Fault Coverage in Minnesota
In Minnesota, if you get into a car accident, your own auto insurance policy pays for your initial medical expenses and lost wages through Protección contra daños corporales (PIP) coverage. It doesn’t matter who caused the crash or if they were driving while intoxicated.
This type of insurance is called No-Fault insurance. Your benefits cover costs up to your policy limits without the need for legal action, but they also prevent you from suing the at-fault driver for non-economic damages.
If your injuries meet Minnesota’s serious injury threshold, you may have the right to step outside the No-Fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver. Our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers can help you understand the role of your No-Fault policy in a drunk driving accident.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer serving Minneapolis, call 844-767-8626
Types of Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Case
Victims of drunk drivers may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Minneapolis will review your damages and seek maximum compensation.
Economic Damages
These are the qualified costs you have paid or owe, and they are usually representable by a dollar amount.
Your economic damages may include things like:
- Emergency care and ambulance transportation that you required after the accident
- Your medical care, such as doctors’ visits, procedures, and testing
- Future medical care you will need, such as surgery or prescription medications
- The full amount of your lost wages and benefits
- Property damage and the cost to repair your vehicle
Non-Economic Damages
These types of damages reflect the emotional, social, and psychological distress caused by the crash. While they are not measurable in dollar value, your pain and suffering are just as real as economic damages.
Daños punitivos
In some drunk driving cases, Minnesota courts may also award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the driver for reckless behavior and deter others from doing the same. Our team can advise whether they are possible in your case.
Minneapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
Dram Shop Liability in Minnesota
Identifying all responsible parties is one of the first things our attorneys will do when reviewing your case. If a business served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash, that business may share liability.
Minnesota‘s Dram Shop Law (Statute 340A.801) allows injured victims to hold bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments accountable in certain situations. This can help you get compensation, especially when the at-fault driver has low insurance coverage.
Dram shop claims have specific filing requirements and deadlines under Minnesota law. Our Minneapolis drunk driving accident lawyers will make sure your case is on track and meets all important deadlines, including the Minnesota statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
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The Role of Criminal Charges in Your Civil Case
When a driver is arrested for DUI, they face criminal charges. In Minnesota, that can mean steep fines and jail time, even for a first offense. While you may take solace knowing the driver who caused your injuries will face justice, it doesn’t pay your medical bills.
Your personal injury claim is a separate civil matter, but the two cases are connected in important ways. A criminal conviction or guilty plea can serve as strong evidence in your civil case. It establishes that the driver was impaired and at fault for the crash.
Even if the driver is not convicted, you can still pursue a civil claim. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case, which means you do not need a conviction to win compensation.
Talk to Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Minneapolis
A drunk driving crash can derail your life, even though it wasn’t your fault. Your damages may exceed what’s allowable under your No-Fault coverage, and you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the liable party and their insurer.
However, that doesn’t mean they will cooperate. Insurers often look for ways to avoid paying what injured victims deserve. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Minneapolis will fight for the maximum compensation you need from every available resource.
Postman Law understands what victims of drunk driving crashes go through, and our team knows how to build a claim that reflects the full impact of your injuries. Call today for a free consultation and tell us how we can help.