Such accidents occur so frequently that everyone has either been in one or knows someone who has. Many of these accidents are not serious, but some cause major injury or death. Those involved may be faced with medical and/or funeral costs, lost income, pain and suffering and expensive vehicle repairs. Auto accident litigation seeks to protect people who have suffered personal injury and property damage because of a collision.
Auto accident liability is generally determined according to the laws of the state in which the accident occurs. Each state sets time deadlines to seek recovery of any damages that result from such an accident. Lommen Abdo’s personal injury lawyers can assist you in obtaining compensation for your injuries and expenses.
What should you do if you have been involved in an auto accident?
The scene of an auto accident, especially one involving injuries, is often very stressful and chaotic. Remaining calm and collecting the necessary information from the other parties involved can be crucial for both insurance and future litigation.
Collect and record the following information about the accident:
- Names and contact information of all drivers and passengers
- Names and contact information of any witnesses, police or emergency responders
- Vehicle registration information for all vehicles involved
- Insurance information from all drivers
- Time and location of accident
- How the accident occurred
- Any unusual circumstances (i.e. bad weather, missing stop sign, etc.)
- Known or suspected injuries
- Damage to any of the vehicles
- Claims of responsibility made by any of those involved
As soon as possible after an auto accident, contact your insurance company. If there have been injuries or significant damage to any of the vehicles, you will also need to file a police report.
What type of damages can be recovered?
The term ‘‘damages’’ refers to money awarded to the plaintiff in a personal injury case. Actual damages, also known as compensatory damages, are intended to restore the injured person’s financial situation to a position roughly equivalent to what is was before the accident occurred. Actual damages can be awarded for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent disability, mental stress, and other similar hardships. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you may want to consider contacting a Lommen Abdo trial attorney. He or she can advise you of your rights and responsibilities and can answer questions specific to your case. We only receive a fee for our legal services if our client receives money from the parties responsible for the accident.
Act promptly so that any claim you may have does not become time-barred. Lommen Abdo is a Leaders Forum Member of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America).
We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the services of our Auto Accident attorneys. Any questions may be directed to:
In Minnesota:
Reid Lindquist at 612-336-9311 or reid@lommen.com
In Wisconsin:
James Johnson at 715-381-7105 orjamesj@lommen.com
or any of the attorneys in this practice area pictured below.
Additional Information:
AUTO INSURANCE: ARE YOU COVERED? A legal series on automobile insurance coverage:
Minnesota Motorcycle Insurance - It’s that time of year again. Warm summer weather brings thousands of motorcycles onto the road each year. In fact, the Minnesota Department of Safety (MDS) reports that “by the end of the calendar year 2011, the number of licensed motorcycle operators and the number of registered motorcycles in Minnesota had reached their highest levels in history.” Read the article by Kate Westad.
AUTO INSURANCE: ARE YOU COVERED? A legal series on automobile insurance coverage:
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protection For You and Your Family - Adequate insurance coverage provides peace of mind and protection for you and your family in the event of a personal injury. Kate Westad adds to Lommen Abdo’s legal series entitled “Auto Insurance: Are You Covered?” on the importance of understanding your UM/UIM coverage. Read the article by Kate Westad.
AUTO INSURANCE: ARE YOU COVERED? A legal series on automobile insurance coverage:
Liability Policy Limits: Do You Know Your Limits? - Do you know what your liability policy limits are on your automobile insurance policy? Most of us just look at the price tag of automobile insurance premiums and give little thought to how much financial protection you are actually affording yourself and your family. But even in tough economic times, automobile insurance coverage is not something to skimp on. Too little liability insurance coverage can put your personal assets and creditworthiness at unnecessary risk. Read the article by Kate Westad.
Because of her passion for preventing injuries, Kate Westad has launched the public service campaign, Focus on the Road®, which can be found on www.WomenInjuryLawyers.com. The campaign draws attention to distraction driving and reminds us all to Focus on the Road!