There are different forms of compensation available to you after an accident to help you to recover financially and physically. If you want to know what your options are, an accident attorney like those on our team at the Rutzick Law Offices in St Paul, MN, can help you.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for tangible, measurable financial losses resulting from the accident. These include your medical expenses, lost wages and decreased earning capacity, and property damage.
Special Case: Car Accidents and Personal Injury Protection
All vehicle drivers in Minnesota are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Under this no-fault insurance system, your own PIP coverage will pay for medical bills up to $20,000, regardless of who caused the accident. If medical expenses exceed this limit or the injuries meet specific thresholds, you can pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party.
PIP coverage also pays up to $500 or 85% of lost wages and will also cover household services like groceries, housekeeping, and other forms of property maintenance up to $200 per week.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages exist to compensate you for the losses that you cannot simply show on a receipt or bill. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Some of these damages can only be sought if your injury is classed as serious, such as those causing permanent disfigurement or leading to more than $4000 in medical costs. In cases involving severe injuries, spouses may also sue an at-fault party for loss of consortium, which seeks damages for loss of companionship, affection, or intimacy.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are designed to deter particularly egregious behavior. There is no cap on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in Minnesota cases against companies or individuals. However, the law only permits them in cases where it can be shown that the at-fault party both knew the likely consequence of their negligence or actions, and knowingly proceeded regardless of that knowledge. The only exception to this law is municipalities, which cannot be subject to punitive damages.
Why Hire an Accident Attorney in St. Paul, MN?
There are lots of reasons to discuss your case with a specialist personal injury lawyer. Firstly, Minnesota operates both no-fault and fault-based systems depending on the injury, so it can be difficult to know what kind of compensation you qualify for. Secondly, the statutes of limitations for different injuries vary greatly. Thirdly, trying to get compensation after an accident can be exhausting and stressful, and having an experienced professional to fight for you can lift a great weight from your shoulders.
Minnesota law provides for several categories of damages to address the full scope of losses suffered in an accident. Whether you are negotiating with insurers or pursuing a lawsuit, we can help you to better advocate for your financial and emotional recovery. Get in touch with a member of our team at the Rutzick Law Offices in St Paul, MN, to make an appointment today.
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24 East 4th Street St Paul, MN 55101
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Monday-Friday 8:30-6pm
Phone: 651-237-2783
Email: arutzicklaw@comcast.net