Car Accident Attorney in Minneapolis
Trial-Ready Attorneys. Decades of Experience. No Fees Unless We Win.
Insurance companies move fast after a crash. Adjusters contact victims within days, sometimes hours, pushing for a settlement before the full extent of injuries is known. At Meshbesher & Student, P.A., we move faster. Our attorneys have handled car accident cases throughout the Twin Cities for decades, and we bring that litigation depth to every claim from the first consultation forward.
We represent car accident victims on a contingency fee basis: no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery for you. Free, confidential case evaluations are available. We serve clients throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and when an insurer’s offer doesn’t reflect the full value of a client’s losses, we don’t hesitate to take the case to trial.
Injured in an auto accident? Schedule a free, confidential case evaluation or fill out an online contact form to get started. Our car accident attorney in Minneapolis, MN, can support you.
Establishing Negligence After a Minneapolis Car Accident
Not every driver on Minnesota roads follows the rules. When a motorist, person, or entity acts carelessly or recklessly, the consequences for everyone nearby can be devastating and lasting.
Negligence forms the basis of most car accident cases, and proving it requires establishing four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Every driver owes a duty of reasonable care to others on the road. When that duty is breached and the breach causes injury, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation.
Common causes of negligence-related car accidents include:
- Distracted driving (Minnesota’s hands-free law prohibits holding a phone while driving, yet distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes)
- DUI/DWI
- Reckless driving
- Defective vehicle parts
- Driving while fatigued
- Unsafe road design or dangerous road conditions
If your accident involved any of these or other negligent factors, you have the right to pursue compensation from every liable party.
Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance System & the Tort Threshold
Minnesota is a no-fault auto insurance state. After a crash, you first turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. Minnesota law requires all drivers to carry at least $40,000 per person per accident in PIP coverage: $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical losses such as lost wages and replacement services. PIP claims must be submitted to your own insurer within six months of the accident date.
No-fault coverage doesn’t prevent you from pursuing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries are serious enough. Under Minn. Stat. 65B.51, you can step outside the no-fault system when your injuries meet at least one tort threshold: medical expenses exceeding $4,000, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, disability lasting 60 days or more, or death. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may also have a claim through your own UM or UIM coverage.
Insurance adjusters are skilled at minimizing payouts within the no-fault framework and beyond it. Having an attorney handle communications from the outset can protect the value of your claim at every stage.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Minneapolis Car Accident?
Determining who is responsible depends on the specific circumstances of the crash. Liability isn’t always limited to the driver who struck you.
Responsible parties may include:
- Another driver who caused the accident
- An automobile manufacturer whose defective parts contributed to the crash
- A commercial trucking company
- A government agency responsible for unsafe road design
- A transportation network company
- A combination of these parties or another person or entity
Liability is proportionate to fault under Minnesota’s comparative negligence framework. Identifying every liable party is a critical step in maximizing recovery, and our attorneys evaluate every detail of a crash so no responsible party is overlooked.
Common Injuries in Minneapolis Car Accidents
Car crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, whiplash, back and neck injuries, internal organ damage, burns, lacerations, and soft tissue damage. Some of the most serious injuries, including whiplash, internal bleeding, and certain spinal conditions, may not produce obvious symptoms immediately after impact. That delay is one reason prompt medical attention matters both for your health and for your legal claim: documented medical records help establish the connection between the crash and your injuries.
Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage can generate lifetime costs that far exceed initial treatment bills. When a crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. Our attorneys handle both catastrophic injury and fatal car accident cases throughout the Twin Cities.
Types of Compensation in a Minneapolis Car Accident Claim
Minnesota doesn’t cap personal injury compensation in car accident lawsuits. What you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the duration of your recovery, the impact on your earning capacity, and the degree of fault assigned to each party.
Economic damages can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Property damage
- Replacement services
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may be available when the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious. It’s common for crash victims to accept a quick settlement that doesn’t account for future medical needs or diminished earning capacity. An attorney can help you understand the full value of your claim before you agree to anything.
Not Sure Whether Your Situation Qualifies? Start with a Free Consultation.
It’s normal to feel uncertain after a crash, especially when injuries aren’t immediately obvious or when fault seems unclear. You have the right to understand your options before making any decisions. Our attorneys can evaluate the specific facts of your accident, advise on whether the tort threshold is met under Minnesota’s no-fault system, and identify every party who may bear financial responsibility. We handle vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, and if we don’t see a viable path forward, we’ll tell you that too.
How Meshbesher & Student, P.A. Handles Car Accident Cases
Steven Meshbesher has been practicing law since 1981. Our attorneys bring that depth of courtroom and negotiating experience to every auto accident case we take on. We don’t get outworked, whether that means a thorough investigation of the crash scene, preservation of critical evidence, or hours of preparation before a deposition.
What We Handle on Your Behalf
We handle every aspect of your case: insurance communications, evidence gathering, liability analysis under Minnesota’s comparative negligence rules, and Hennepin County civil litigation when negotiations stall. You work directly with your attorney throughout the process, not with paralegals or rotating associates, and we keep you informed at every stage.
How We Deal with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies employ adjusters whose job is to reduce what they pay out. You aren’t legally required to provide a recorded statement to the opposing insurer, and our attorneys can advise you on when and how to respond to insurer requests. We handle those communications so nothing said or submitted undermines your claim. When settlement terms don’t reflect the full value of your losses, we take the case to trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if I Was Partially at Fault in the Accident?
Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Minn. Stat. 604.01. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you’re found 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages. Recovery is barred entirely only if you’re found more than 50% at fault. An attorney can help make sure fault is assessed accurately and that you aren’t assigned more responsibility than the evidence supports.
What Should I Do if the Other Driver Offers to Settle Privately?
Consult an attorney before agreeing to anything. Settling privately without legal advice often means accepting less than your claim is worth and giving up your right to pursue future damages, including medical costs that haven’t yet appeared. We can review any offer and advise whether it fully accounts for your injuries and losses.
How Soon Should I Contact a Minneapolis Car Accident Attorney?
As soon as possible. Contacting an attorney promptly helps preserve evidence, protects your rights before the opposing insurer’s investigation advances, and keeps you from making statements that could reduce your recovery. The earlier we’re involved, the better positioned you are throughout the claims process.
Can I Seek Compensation for Emotional Distress?
Yes. Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD are compensable non-economic damages in a Minnesota car accident claim when supported by documentation. Seeking professional mental health treatment and keeping records of how the accident has affected your daily life strengthens this part of your claim.
What Should I Look for in a Car Accident Attorney in Minneapolis?
Look for an attorney with experience in Minnesota no-fault law, a track record in litigation, clear communication practices, and a contingency fee structure. At Meshbesher & Student, P.A., clients work directly with their attorney from the first call through final resolution, and we don’t charge fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim in Minnesota?
For most personal injury claims, Minnesota law provides six years from the date of injury under Minn. Stat. 541.05. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of death under Minn. Stat. 573.02. Waiting to consult an attorney risks losing evidence and, ultimately, your right to pursue compensation at all.
Does Minnesota’s No-Fault System Prevent Me from Suing the At-Fault Driver?
Not necessarily. Minnesota’s no-fault system requires you to first use your own PIP coverage, but if your injuries meet the tort threshold under Minn. Stat. 65B.51, you can pursue a civil claim against the at-fault driver. An attorney can evaluate your injuries, determine whether the threshold is met, and advise whether a third-party claim makes sense in your situation.
Looking for help from a car accident lawyer in Minneapolis, MN? Call (612) 200-1526 or contact us online for a free consultation today.
Real Results. Real Clients.
Trusted by Clients Across Minnesota
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“Steve Meshbesher handled my blatantly false arrest case with exceptional professionalism. He immediately engaged with all necessary parties, including the prosecution, guided me through the process, kept me calm, and ultimately secured a full dismissal. I’m extremely grateful for his work.”- Ben J
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“As the local police helped us with the case, Steve, completely on his own, checked to make sure that we were being treated well. Our only regret is that we did not contact him sooner.”- Allan and Jewell
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“Steve Meshbesher is by far the best Lawyer MN has ever seen. I used to toss and turn at night dealing with my criminal past, rest assured.... Steve will turn nightmares into beautiful dreams that you cannot even fathom.”- Chandler
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“I found myself lost in a sea of unrelenting hope. My life in ruins, my future bleak with little chance of redemption. With nothing left to live for I sought out someone who could defend me, little did I know how he would change my life forever. Steve Meshb”- Michael M.
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“Following my son being arrested I called Steve Meshbesher on a Saturday afternoon. We met an hour later at his office. Steve and his staff at Meshbesher & Associates were very helpful and organized. Steve is an incredibly talented criminal defense atto”- Connie
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“Not only did Steve fight to minimize the damage of my felony arrest, he and his team genuinely took interest in helping me get back to a normal life away from one of a narcotics abuser. I have taken his advice and wisdom with me to this day, and couldn&rsq”- Scott H.