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I Was in a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault – Do I Need a Lawyer?

Imagine you’re on your way to see a show with a group of friends on a Saturday evening. As your car approaches an intersection, you gently roll to a stop and patiently wait for the signal to change. As the light turns green, you look both ways before moving forward – when suddenly it happens.

You’ve been blindsided by a truck that has run a red light, sending your vehicle spinning into the intersection, and everything goes black.

As you awaken, you immediately check on your passengers. Thankfully they’re okay. The accident wasn’t your fault, but your car is totaled, and you feel pain in your neck.

Unfortunately, scenarios like this are all too common in today’s world. No matter how cautious you are as a driver, there is always the chance that a reckless driver can turn your life upside down.

You may think “if I was in a car accident that wasn’t my fault, I don’t need a lawyer”. Perhaps the damage wasn’t a total loss, or there were no apparent injuries.

However, even when you’re involved in what seems like a straightforward, faultless accident, a lawyer is essential to protect your rights and ensure you receive the proper compensation for your losses and injuries – even if you initially feel fine.

Fields Law is a personal injury law firm serving clients in Minnesota who have suffered a serious car accident. We specialize in helping our clients get the compensation they deserve, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault.

Today, Fields Law will break down how the aid of an experienced auto accident and personal injury lawyer can give your case a significant advantage, ensuring you’re properly compensated and never blamed for a car accident that wasn’t your fault.

Why “No Fault” Accidents Aren’t Always So Simple

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s easy to dismiss the need for a lawyer. You may assume that the other driver’s insurance will simply pay out the claim, and you’ll be able to quickly move on.

However, the reality of the situation can be quite different.

Here are a few reasons why you may need an injury lawyer experienced in car crashes, even when there is no injury:

Dealing with Insurance Companies

A harsh fact of life is that insurance companies are rarely interested in fairness. They are interested in maximizing their profits, and that means minimizing payouts.

Insurance companies are often guilty of trying to undervalue claims, and denying them as often as possible.

Working with an auto accident lawyer, even when there is no injury, will safeguard you against lowball settlements, giving you the best chance to receive the compensation you deserve from the insurance company.

Disputed Liability

Even when the accident wasn’t your fault, the other party may try to argue to their insurance carrier that you were partially, or even fully, responsible. This can lead to you being blamed for a car accident that wasn’t your fault, resulting in an unfair payout or even a complete denial of your claim.

Complex State Laws

Where the accident occurred is important, as many states have complex insurance systems. Minnesota is a no fault state, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter whose fault that accident was. “No fault” simply means your insurance’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will cover your medical bills regardless of who is at fault. However, an experienced car accident lawyer is essential to helping you understand Minnesota’s no-fault laws, and how they impact your claim for pain and suffering and non-economic damages.

Delayed Onset Injuries

And while you and any passengers involved may initially feel fine after the accident, often an injury may not manifest until days or even months after an accident – particularly when it relates to back, neck, and neurological issues.

Even when the accident is not your fault, retaining the services of a car accident lawyer goes a long way toward leveling the playing field, saving you time and stress through an emotionally draining process.

How an Auto Accident Lawyer Experienced in No Fault Law Can Make a Difference in Your Case

Whether there were any injuries or no injuries, an auto accident lawyer is key to protecting your rights.

Here’s how they can make a difference in your case:

Proving Fault and Liability

The other party’s insurance company may try to blame you for the accident. Therefore, you must be able to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault.

An auto accident lawyer will help you collect crucial evidence including:

  • Police Reports
  • Eyewitness Statements
  • Photos
  • Video Footage
  • Traffic Camera Data
  • Expert Witness Testimony

These crucial pieces of evidence can mean the difference between a successful case and being blamed for an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies

As mentioned above, insurance companies are rarely interested in a fair resolution when it comes time to pay out.

Even when it’s clear the accident wasn’t your fault, many insurance companies will make an initial lowball offer, hoping that you will simply accept it and go away. They may even attempt to coerce you into admitting partial responsibility for the accident.

A lawyer experienced in no fault law is prepared to protect you from these underhanded tactics, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure a fair payout that covers all your damages.

Help You Understand the Full Scope of Damages

When involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s a common mistake to assume that you can only claim compensation for damages to your vehicle. However, depending on the circumstances of your case, there are other forms of compensation that you may be entitled to.

A lawyer can help you understand other forms of compensation including:

  • Economic Damages – Beyond vehicle repair or replacement, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills including for medical visits, surgeries, therapies, and medications for any medical injuries suffered. If the accident causes you to miss work, you may also be able to make a claim for lost wages. Diminished value of your vehicle, even after repairs, is also a concern.
  • Non-Economic Damages – Auto accidents are traumatic experiences. Even if there is no physical injury, an auto accident lawyer may be able to secure damages for your pain, suffering and emotional distress.
  • Punitive Damages – If the party responsible for the accident exhibited gross negligence, such as drunk driving or excessive speed, you may also be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish the at-fault driver.

Defend You Against Baseless Claims

It’s not uncommon for the guilty party to attempt to blame you for a car accident that wasn’t your fault. A car accident lawyer can defend you against baseless claims that attempt to shirk responsibility from the at-fault driver. If the case cannot be resolved through negotiation, your lawyer will be prepared to defend you in court if the case persists.

When Should You Contact a Lawyer Regarding a No Fault Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, when should you contact an auto accident lawyer?

The answer is almost always as soon as possible.

The time immediately after the accident is crucial for collecting and preserving evidence. This includes gathering eyewitness testimony, police reports, and photo and video evidence from the scene – details essential to prove that you were not at fault.

If you’ve elected not to involve an attorney from the start, you may need their help once the insurance company gets involved. Insurance companies often try to do everything in their power not to pay out damages, making a lawyer experienced in no fault law extremely important to your case.

And of course, if you suffer significant injuries and long-term health complications, do not hesitate to contact an auto accident lawyer immediately. Significant injuries complicate matters, and involving a lawyer is essential to getting fair compensation including for medical expenses and lost wages.

It’s also important to note that every state has its own statute of limitations, which serves as a deadline for when you can file a lawsuit. In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 6 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long to contact a lawyer may lead to missing the deadline and losing out on deserved compensation entirely.

Have You Been Involved In or Blamed for a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault? Contact Fields Law Today

Being involved in a car accident is an emotionally draining experience – particularly when the accident wasn’t your fault. Whether or not there were any serious injuries, obtaining the services of a skilled auto accident lawyer helps protect your interests and ensures you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, for experienced representation in Minnesota.

Our team of skilled attorneys and lawyers can help you:

  • Gather evidence
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Understand your state’s no-fault laws
  • Maximize your compensation
  • Provide aggressive representation in court, if necessary
  • Avoid blame for a car accident that wasn’t your fault

Don’t underestimate the complexity of a car accident, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Contact Fields Law today for a FREE initial case review. It costs nothing to get your questions answered today. Our representation is always backed with our Win-Win Guarantee – you won’t pay us anything until we win your case.

Call Fields Law NOW, and get the representation you deserve.

*DISCLAIMER*

This blog post provides general information regarding car accidents. Individual cases will vary significantly. For personalized guidance on your specific situation, it is essential to consult with a legal expert.

 

Minnesota operates under a no-fault insurance system. Following a car accident, you typically file a claim with your own insurer for the payment of your medical bills, irrespective of who was responsible for the collision. However, your role in the accident can impact the nature of additional claims you can make and the amount you can recoup.

Minnesota is a modified comparative negligence state, as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 604.01. This law implies that your compensation can be reduced by the percentage you are found to be responsible for the accident. This underscores the importance of establishing fault in a car accident.

Consider an instance where another vehicle disregards a red light and collides with you, but you were also speeding. It’s determined that while the other driver was 70% at fault, you were 30% at fault. If your damages total $100,000, due to your 30% responsibility for the accident, you could receive a maximum of $70,000. This highlights why proving you’re not at fault is crucial for obtaining full compensation for your accident-related expenses.

1. A Copy of the Police Report
If the police responded to the accident scene, they may have completed a report. This document includes details like the time, date, and location of the collision, which can be beneficial to your claim. In addition, the police report can include witness information and the officers’ observations of the car accident scene, including photographs and video.

2. Eyewitness Testimony
Testimonies from individuals who witnessed the accident can strengthen your case. These witnesses can be other passengers, bystanders, or law enforcement officials. Expert witnesses, like accident reconstruction specialists, can provide further insights.

3. Traffic Camera Footage
Footage from traffic cameras at intersections and major roads can show what actually happened during the accident.

4. Black Box Data
Many vehicles are equipped with “black boxes” that track speed, force of impact, and other collision data. This information can validate crucial aspects of your case.

5. Evidence From the Accident Scene
Photographs of the accident scene and of involved vehicles can be critical pieces of evidence. They can show the impact, type of collision, and other critical details.

6. Your Medical Records
Your medical records are crucial in demonstrating the cause and severity of your injuries, your diagnosis, and the necessary treatments. This evidence can help prove that you suffered harm due to another party’s negligent actions.

To prove fault, you must establish negligence under Minnesota law. The evidence collected must show:

  1. The other party had a duty of care, meaning they were obligated to drive their vehicle with reasonable care.
  2. The other party breached this duty of care by acting recklessly or carelessly, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or ignoring traffic signals.
  3. This breach caused the accident, and you suffered harm as a result.
  4. You have damages resulting from the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.

If successful, you could be entitled to compensation for the full cost of both your past losses and future damages related to the car accident. Establishing fault in a car accident can be challenging and confusing. That’s where a Minnesota car accident attorney can help.

They can conduct an in-depth investigation into your collision, collect the necessary evidence, and work towards proving your right to recover damages. This expert guidance and support can be critical in navigating the complexities of the legal process and in securing the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under Minnesota law.

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Fields Staff 2024