RESPECTED, TOP-RATED INJURY LAWYERS
At Schmidt and Salita, our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers have successfully handled a wide range of personal injury cases. Below are six types of cases we specialize in, showcasing the breadth of our expertise and our dedication to seeking justice for our clients.
The most common injury claims we handle involve severe and life-changing physical trauma, requiring skilled legal representation to secure fair compensation. These are some of the most frequent injuries we see in Minneapolis personal injury cases:
You likely have a personal injury case if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries and you suffered damages as a result. Here’s a step-by-step guide to determine whether your situation qualifies:
A personal injury attorney can review the details of your case and provide an honest assessment of your legal options. According to the American Bar Association, most claims involve some form of negligence.
Proving liability in a personal injury case requires demonstrating four key elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Each of these elements plays a critical role in building a successful case, and gathering strong evidence to support them is essential.
Proving liability can be challenging, especially if the other party denies fault or if multiple parties are involved. For example, in truck accident cases, liability may be shared between the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, Minnesota’s comparative negligence rule means that your compensation could be reduced if you are found partially at fault. An experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyer can help navigate these complexities by collecting evidence, negotiating with insurers, and building a strong case for you.
By focusing on these four elements and enlisting skilled legal representation, you can significantly strengthen your case and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Victims of personal injury in Minneapolis can recover both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the specific circumstances of their case. These damages are designed to address both tangible financial losses and intangible harms that impact quality of life.
Economic damages refer to concrete, measurable losses. Common examples include:
Non-economic damages address the emotional and physical toll of your injuries:
Punitive damages are rare in personal injury cases but may be awarded in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct. For example, a drunk driver who causes a severe accident may be held liable for punitive damages to penalize their behavior and deter future reckless actions.
By seeking fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, we help our clients rebuild their lives while holding negligent parties accountable.
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. This means you must file your lawsuit within this time frame to preserve your legal rights.
It’s crucial to act quickly, as evidence can disappear, and witnesses may forget details over time.
The length of a personal injury lawsuit depends on the intricacy of the case and whether it can be resolved through settlement or requires going to trial. While some cases are resolved in a few months, others can take years. Below is a breakdown of the stages of a personal injury lawsuit and how long each phase may take:
Most personal injury claims begin with negotiations between your lawyer and the insurance company. This involves submitting evidence of your injuries, such as medical records, bills, and proof of lost wages, along with a demand letter. The insurance company may respond with a lowball offer, and your lawyer will negotiate to reach a fair settlement. Straightforward cases may settle quickly, but more complex cases or those involving severe injuries may take longer.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf. This step formally begins the legal process and sets the case on track for litigation. Once the lawsuit is filed, the court will notify the defendant, and both parties will prepare for the discovery phase.
During discovery, both sides gather evidence, exchange information, and question witnesses. This stage often involves:
The discovery phase can take several months or longer, depending on how quickly evidence is shared and whether disputes arise over specific information.
Before going to trial, many cases proceed to mediation or arbitration, where a neutral third party helps both sides work toward a resolution. Mediation can often resolve disputes faster than a trial, as it encourages compromise. However, if no agreement is reached, the case will proceed to court.
If your case goes to trial, the timeline can stretch significantly due to court backlogs and the complexity of presenting evidence. Trials typically last several days to weeks, but the preparation beforehand can take months. The outcome depends on the strength of the evidence and the arguments presented by both sides.
Several factors influence how long a case may take, including:
While some delays are out of your control, there are steps you can take to help streamline the process:
Though the process can feel lengthy, having an experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyer ensures your case is handled efficiently while maximizing your potential compensation.
Our offices are conveniently located near Ridgedale and highways I-494 and I-394, which means less hassle for our clients. We are just a couple minutes off major freeways.
There is plenty of free parking for our visitors steps from the building entrance.
Avoid the hassle of dealing with downtown traffic, one-way streets, and expensive parking. There’s no getting lost in the skyway. Instead, it’s easy for you to get right where you need to be.
Walk right in. Our friendly staff with meet and greet you with a cup of coffee and a warm smile.
You don’t have to go downtown to find a good Minneapolis personal injury lawyer. You’ll find a great one right here—one who is ready to listen and help.
Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation, so we can help you decide if our team can help you. You can reach us via phone at 952-473-4530 or contact us online.