The Twin Cities suburb of Apple Valley, Minnesota is known for being quiet and family-friendly, but accidents happen everywhere. Every year, the Dakota County court receives hundreds of cases involving incidents where someone was harmed by another party’s carelessness: car accidents, workplace injuries, slip-and-fall incidents, and more.
Minnesota personal injury laws exist to help victims in Apple Valley and across the state get compensation and justice for the losses they suffered. Still, it can be difficult to pursue a successful personal injury claim, especially if you’re still recovering from an injury. Apple Valley personal injury lawyers provide legal representation to help victims navigate these legal complexities and get proper compensation.
Finding an experienced personal injury attorney in Apple Valley can be critical to the success of your claim.
Triple board-certified trial attorney Tommy D. Roebig advises, “Not every personal injury claim requires an attorney, but if the more complex the case and the more losses you suffered, the more critical it is to get a lawyer.”
How Do Apple Valley Personal Injury Claims Work?
Anyone harmed in Apple Valley due to someone else’s failure to provide reasonable care while doing something (negligence) or other wrongful actions may be able to right this wrong through the Minnesota and Dakota County legal system. However, the injured party must prove the other party was responsible for their injuries.
Compensation usually takes the form of a monetary payment, either out of court in a settlement or as a successful trial verdict award. It’s meant to cover financial losses the victim suffered because of the accident and to make up for less tangible losses like pain and suffering.
Minnesota Laws Relevant To Personal Injury Cases
Any personal injury claim filed in Apple Valley is subject to Minnesota state law, which determines how these cases are handled.
Major Minnesota personal injury laws include:
- Modified comparative negligence: Also called the 51 percent bar rule, this rule makes it possible for multiple parties to be at fault in an accident. If the victim is partially responsible, they’ll lose a percentage of their compensation and if they share most of the blame for the accident, they can’t seek compensation at all.
- Statute of limitations: This determines how long the injured party has to file a lawsuit. In Minnesota, that’s usually two years for personal injury cases, though it varies by case type and circumstance.
- The “Some Damage” Rule: Minnesota uniquely bases its statute of limitations deadline on when the injured party first suffered enough harm to sue—not when they were first aware of the harm they suffered and who caused it.
- “No-Fault” Car Insurance: Minnesota is a no-fault state, so Apple Valley residents must seek compensation from their own insurer for car accident injuries, even if the other party was at fault. There are exceptions for serious injuries, however.
- Personal injury damage caps: Unlike some states, Minnesota has no limit on how much compensation a personal injury victim can win in court.
Who Is Eligible To File A Personal Injury Claim In Apple Valley?
Filing a claim in Apple Valley has certain requirements under Minnesota personal injury laws.
The Apple Valley personal injury claim process requires the injured party to:
- Prove negligence or ill intent: The injured party must prove their injuries were a direct result of the other party’s negligence.
- Be measurably harmed: The victim must prove they were actually injured in some significant way, be it physically, emotionally, or financially.
Usually, the person who was harmed in the accident will file a lawsuit against the other party, but in cases like wrongful death, it may be the victim’s family who files.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing an Apple Valley Personal Injury Claim
The steps involved in filing a personal injury claim in Apple Valley tend to be similar regardless of the type of injury you’ve suffered. Here are the general personal injury claim steps.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
It’s essential to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer soon after the accident even if you aren’t sure what you want to do yet. Getting a free consultation with a lawyer will give you the chance to get your case reviewed by a legal professional who can determine if your claim is valid and help you decide your next steps.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Gathering
If you hire an attorney, they’ll investigate your case thoroughly for any evidence that supports your claim. This may include medical documents, police reports, witness statements, etc.
Step 3: Filing the Claim
Once you have the evidence you need, your lawyer will file the required paperwork and documentation with the insurance company or the court. This will include your damages, how much compensation you’re seeking, and your evidence.
Step 4: Negotiation
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, where your lawyer negotiates with the insurance company or opposing party to get you a strong settlement amount.
Step 5: Litigation
If a settlement can’t be reached, you may need to file a lawsuit with the Dakota County court. This kickstarts the trial preparation process, where your attorney will gather further evidence for your case, prepare legal arguments, seek more witnesses and expert testimony, and more to make the strongest case possible in your favor.
In the Apple Valley legal process, most lawsuits still end in settlements, but if they don’t, the case will go to trial, where a judge or jury will decide whether you receive compensation and how much you’re awarded.
With over $1 billion won in total compensation, Florin|Roebig’s attorneys fight to get the best outcome for their clients. They have won several record-breaking verdicts and settlements across the U.S. If you were injured in Apple Valley, don’t leave critical compensation on the table. Reach out to the experts at Florin|Roebig for a free case evaluation today.
Common Types of Accidents That Lead to Personal Injury Claims in Apple Valley
Personal injury is a broad category, and many accident types can fall under its umbrella, leading to various Apple Valley accident claims.
Common personal injury accidents in Apple Valley include:
- Car Accidents: Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in Apple Valley, often caused by negligent actions like drunk driving and speeding.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: These accidents are common on public and private property in Apple Valley and may happen because the property owner didn’t keep their premises safe.
- Workplace Accidents: These involve injures that happen on the job, which can range widely, from exposure to dangerous chemicals to machinery malfunctions.
- Medical Malpractice: These cases involve negligence by healthcare professionals, such as prescribing the wrong medication or misdiagnosing a patient.
- Product Liability: These cases involve injuries caused by defective or dangerous products, like malfunctioning vehicle parts. Usually, the manufacturer or distributor is liable.
- Dog Bites: Dog owners are strictly liable in Minnesota if their pet bites someone unless the injured person was trespassing or provoked the animal.
There are other types of personal injury claims, so always contact a lawyer to see if you have a case.
What Injuries Qualify For A Personal Injury Claim?
Apple Valley injury claims can be made for physical, emotional, and financial personal injuries.
Qualifying injuries for personal injury claims in Apple Valley include:
- Physical Injuries: Many accidents can cause physical injuries, which range from whiplash to broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
- Emotional and Psychological Injuries: Minnesota courts also recognize the harm of non-physical injuries such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- Chronic and Long-Term Injuries: Some injuries last for years or even the lifetime of the injured party, such as permanent disabilities and chronic pain.
All types of personal injuries can contribute heavily to someone’s pain and suffering, causing financial strain, lost independence, and changes to their relationships. This is why personal injury lawyers make sure all injury types are accounted for when seeking compensation.
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What Damages Can Be Claimed in Apple Valley Personal Injury Cases?
Damages describe the losses the injured party suffered and the monetary compensation awarded for those losses. Many types of damages can be awarded in personal injury cases, but they fall into three major categories.
Valid Apple Valley personal injury damages include:
- Economic Damages: These include damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, which exist to reimburse the victim for financial losses caused by the accident.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages exist to compensate the victim (as best the legal system can) for losses that can’t be simply replaced, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.
- Punitive Damages: Rarely, the court will award these damages as punishment for the at-fault party’s particularly heinous lack of regard for the victim’s wellbeing.
Personal injury attorneys are skilled at identifying damages that victims may not have considered, helping them get greater compensation for injury claims.
Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Apple Valley
It’s not enough to hire an attorney for your case. The quality of your lawyer can make a massive difference in the outcome.
When choosing a lawyer, consider the following criteria:
- Experience: The best Apple Valley personal injury lawyers have significant experience navigating Minnesota personal injury law, settlement negotiations, and trials.
- Track record: Your attorney should have a record of successful past cases like yours, which you can often find in online case studies. You can also ask the lawyer for details on previous cases, including how much compensation was won.
- Client testimonials: The law firm and lawyer you’re considering should have positive reviews and/or testimonials, which can give you insight into the attorney’s skill and how they work with their clients.
- Areas of specialization: To get the best outcome possible, your lawyer should have personal injury expertise and, ideally, expertise in your specific case type (car accidents, dog bites, etc.).
Florin|Roebig has been fighting on behalf of personal injury victims for over 35 years and has a track record of excellence, being selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report every year since the honor began over 10 years ago.
If you were harmed in Apple Valley, Minnesota due to someone else’s negligence or malice, you deserve full compensation for your losses. Reach out to Florin|Roebig to work with one of our top personal injury attorneys. Start the process today with a free case review.
Practical Advice For After A Personal Injury
It can be hard to know what to do after an injury. Follow these Apple Valley personal injury tips to raise your chances of a strong recovery and personal injury claim outcome.
After a personal injury:
- Seek Medical Attention: Don’t hesitate to get medical care immediately if you’re injured. Some injuries may not show up immediately, so it’s always best to get a medical evaluation soon after the accident, even if you think you’re fine. This will create a record of your injuries that you can use for legal purposes as well.
- Document Everything: Keep track of any records, bills, emails, treatments, etc. related to the accident. Keep a journal of your recovery and how your injuries affect you. This will help prove the extent of your losses if you file a claim.
- Communicate with Your Lawyer: Don’t hold anything about your accident with your attorney out of embarrassment or a belief that it’s not relevant. It could be significant to your case. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want updates on the case.
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Some actions are understandable but could hurt your case, such as posting about your accident on social media or communicating with the opposing party without legal guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Apple Valley?
It’s generally two years, but some personal injury cases like wrongful death and medical malpractice may have different deadlines for filing in Minnesota courts.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury case?
Usually between six months and two years, but the timeline can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case and other factors.
Do I have to go to court for my personal injury claim?
Many cases settle out of court in Apple Valley. You may need to file a lawsuit with the Dakota County court if you can’t reach an easy settlement, which, in rare cases, may lead to a trial.
What if I am partially at fault for the accident?
You’ll lose a percentage of your compensation equal to your percentage of fault. This formally applies to Minnesota trial verdicts, but insurance companies follow similar guidelines when determining settlements.
How are personal injury lawyers paid?
They are paid on a contingency basis, which means they take a percentage of your compensation (around 33%) if you win your case but won’t take anything if you don’t get compensation.
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How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Attorneys
Florin|Roebig’s Apple Valley personal injury lawyers are available for free consultations and to guide you through the entire process of your Minnesota personal injury case, whether that ends with a settlement or a trial.
During your initial Apple Valley attorney consultation, you can expect:
- A case review: You’ll be asked in depth questions about the accident, your injuries, and how you’ve been affected to help determine the scope of your case.
- Legal advice: After your case review, you’ll be advised on your legal rights regarding the case, the likelihood of a successful claim, what compensation range you can expect, and related details.
- Strategy discussion: If your case seems like a good fit, the lawyer will discuss general strategies you could take to get compensation.
- Fee discussion: The attorney will explain the contingency fee process.
Florin|Roebig’s attorneys develop a personalized legal strategy tailored to each individual client. To learn more about how Florin|Roebig’s attorneys provide quality personal injury legal help, read about the $1.9 million car accident personal injury case we won for a client in Cass County, Minnesota.
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Florin|Roebig office address:
7760 France Avenue South
Suite 130
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435
Navigating the personal injury claims process in Apple Valley can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you’re recovering from your injuries, but you don’t have to pursue damages alone.
Whether you were harmed in a workplace accident, a car crash, or were injured on someone’s property, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through the entire process of filing a claim and do most of the heavy lifting, leaving you to focus on your recovery. Work with top Apple Valley personal injury lawyers at Florin|Roebig by scheduling your free and confidential case review.