In Coon Rapids, countless residents are injured due to someone’s negligence each year. Whether it’s a car accident on Highway 10, a slip-and-fall at a local store, or a dog bite during your walk home, Minnesota law ensures that victims are entitled to seek justice and financial recovery. If you’re searching for a trusted Coon Rapids personal injury lawyer, Mottaz & Sisk is here to help.
Recovering after an accident is often a complex journey, but with the right support, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Mottaz & Sisk at (763) 421-8226 today for your free consultation, and take the first step toward reclaiming your life and financial stability.
Why Choose Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law?
When facing the complexities of a personal injury claim, having the right legal support can make all the difference. Our team brings decades of legal experience and an unwavering commitment to maximizing the compensation each client deserves.
Award-Winning Legal Representation
Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law has been ranked as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants for both 2022 and 2023, demonstrating our commitment to achieving results for injured clients.
Additionally, David B. Kempston, one of our lead attorneys, was named “Lawyer of the Year” for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants in Minneapolis in 2023 by Best Lawyers. This level of recognition reflects our high standards and relentless focus on advocating for the injured.
Deep Roots in Coon Rapids
Our office is conveniently located on Northdale Blvd and is easily accessible from the Voyageur Highway. This location offers easy access for clients in Coon Rapids and surrounding communities, allowing us to remain connected to the clients and neighborhoods we serve.
Our strong local presence means we’re not only familiar with the state laws governing personal injury but are also well-versed in Coon Rapids-specific challenges, from high-traffic accident zones to local ordinances that may impact a case.
What Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?
We know that an injury can bring a cascade of financial burdens, which is why we take a comprehensive approach to calculating the full extent of your damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the clear financial losses you’ve experienced due to your injury.
Our attorneys work with you to document and assess:
- Medical Expenses: Including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed work and diminished earning potential if your injury impacts your ability to work long-term.
- Property Damage: For accidents involving vehicles or other personal property, this includes repair or replacement costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the less tangible, yet very real, effects of an injury.
These damages are not tied to specific expenses but aim to compensate for personal hardships, such as:
- Pain and Suffering: The physical discomfort and emotional toll of living with an injury.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation if your injury prevents you from enjoying activities, hobbies, or other aspects of life.
- Emotional Distress: For mental suffering, including anxiety, depression, or trauma resulting from the incident.
Under Minnesota law, juries are often tasked with determining fair non-economic damages based on the specific details of each case, and our team is skilled at presenting a compelling narrative that reflects the true impact of your suffering.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, Minnesota law allows for punitive damages—financial penalties to punish particularly reckless or intentional misconduct. While punitive damages require court approval and substantial evidence of gross negligence, our attorneys can pursue them in cases that meet these criteria.
Where Do Accidents Occur in Coon Rapids?
While detailed statistics on automobile accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, and motorcycle accidents specific to Coon Rapids aren’t readily available, we can look to Minnesota’s statewide data on motor vehicle accidents for insight into the risks that drivers in this area face.
High-Risk Areas and Dangerous Intersections
Certain intersections in Coon Rapids are well-known for their accident rates due to complex layouts and heavy daily traffic.
Among the most hazardous intersections are:
- Main Street NW and Hanson Boulevard NW: This busy crossroad sees significant congestion, leading to frequent rear-end and side-impact accidents.
- Northdale Boulevard NW and Round Lake Boulevard NW: With multiple lanes and high traffic volumes, this intersection is prone to accidents involving distracted or speeding drivers.
- Coon Rapids Boulevard and Egret Boulevard NW: Another high-traffic area where challenging navigation often results in accidents, especially during rush hours.
Statewide Car Accident Statistics
Minnesota’s broader statistics from one recent year paint a revealing picture:
- 27,260 injuries were reported from auto accidents.
- 174,422 individuals were involved in motor vehicle crashes across the state.
- 73 fatalities were linked to unbuckled motorists.
- 75 deaths resulted from speeding-related accidents.
- 89 deaths were due to impaired driving (drunk driving).
Common Causes of Accidents in Coon Rapids
In addition to risky intersections, several driving behaviors frequently contribute to accidents within Coon Rapids:
- Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Fast-paced driving or aggressive maneuvers, especially at crowded intersections, can quickly escalate into collisions.
- Speeding: Particularly dangerous at intersections with high pedestrian activity or complex layouts.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, phone conversations, or even eating while driving are prevalent and lead to reduced reaction times.
- Driving Under the Influence: Impaired driving remains a critical risk factor in Coon Rapids, contributing to serious accidents and fatalities.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Our attorneys are experienced in handling cases involving:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Types of Injuries
Our clients come to us with many injuries that affect their daily lives and long-term health.
Some of the most common injuries we address include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These injuries, often caused by car accidents or falls, can lead to lasting cognitive and physical impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Resulting from severe impacts, spinal injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Broken Bones: Fractures are common in auto and slip-and-fall accidents, and they may require surgeries, immobilization, and physical therapy.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Although less visible, sprains, strains, and whiplash can cause chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Burns: Often resulting from vehicle or workplace accidents, burn injuries can require specialized care and lead to permanent scarring.
Relevant Legal Concepts and Minnesota Laws
- Comparative Fault (Minnesota Statute § 604.01): Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if a plaintiff is partially at fault for an accident, their compensation decreases by their percentage of fault. If they are more than 50% responsible, they cannot recover damages.
- Statute of Limitations (Minnesota Statute § 541.07): Victims must file personal injury claims in Minnesota within two years of the accident. Missing this deadline could prevent them from pursuing compensation.
- Premises Liability for Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Property owners in Minnesota must maintain safe premises and address hazards promptly. If they fail to warn or repair hazards they knew or should have known about, you can hold them liable for injuries caused.
- Dog Bite Liability (Minnesota Stat. § 347.22): Minnesota holds dog owners strictly liable for unprovoked attacks by their dogs. Victims don’t need to prove negligence; if the injury occurred without provocation, you can hold the owner liable, regardless of the dog’s history.
- No-Fault Insurance for Car Accidents: Minnesota is a no-fault state for auto insurance, which means that after a car accident, injured parties can initially seek compensation from their own insurance for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. However, they may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party if their injuries meet certain thresholds, such as exceeding $4,000 in medical bills or resulting in permanent injury or disfigurement.
Fighting the Insurance Company
Dealing with an insurance company after an accident can be one of the most challenging parts of pursuing a personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters train to protect their company’s bottom line, which often means offering low settlements or finding ways to deny valid claims.
At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we know the tactics that insurers use to limit payouts, and we are prepared to counteract these strategies to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Common Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often use specific methods to minimize or deny claims. Some of the most common tactics include:
- Quick Settlement Offers: Shortly after an accident, insurers may extend an early settlement offer, hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full scope of your injuries or financial losses. These offers are usually far lower than what your case is truly worth.
- Downplaying Injuries: Insurance adjusters may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as reported or claim that pre-existing conditions are responsible for your symptoms. This tactic aims to reduce the amount they are obligated to pay.
- Delaying Claims: Some insurers delay the claims process, knowing that financial strain may pressure you into accepting a lower settlement. This can especially frustrate you when medical bills and other expenses pile up.
- Blaming the Victim: Minnesota’s comparative fault rule allows an injured party’s compensation to decrease by their percentage of fault. Insurance companies may try to shift blame to you, arguing that your actions contributed to the accident.
How Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law Fights for You
With years of experience handling personal injury cases, our attorneys are skilled at navigating insurers’ tactics to protect their interests.
Here’s how we protect yours:
- Gathering Strong Evidence: We collect comprehensive evidence, from police reports and medical records to witness statements and expert evaluations, to build a solid case that insurance companies can’t easily dispute.
- Engaging Expert Witnesses: When needed, we bring in medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and financial professionals to strengthen your claim and ensure that every aspect of your damages is fully documented and supported.
- Handling All Communication: We communicate directly with the insurance company, taking the pressure off you. Our attorneys know how to respond to insurers’ questions and challenges, ensuring that your case is represented clearly and forcefully.
- Negotiating Assertively: We don’t settle for low offers. Our team is prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, drawing on our deep understanding of Minnesota’s personal injury laws to secure a fair settlement. If an insurer refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we are ready to take your case to court.
What to Do After an Accident
Keep Records of Your Medical Treatment
Your medical records will prove the injuries you sustained and the treatment you’ve received. Adhering to your doctor’s recommendations shows the insurance company and the court that you’re taking your recovery seriously. Skipping appointments or disregarding medical advice will weaken your case.
Document the Impact of the Injury on Your Daily Life
Keeping a journal detailing how your injury affects your day-to-day life can help substantiate your non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering, emotional distress).
- Log Pain Levels and Emotional Experiences: Write down your pain levels, symptoms, and any emotional challenges you face, such as anxiety or sleep disturbances, which can support claims for non-economic damages.
- Record Missed Activities: Note any hobbies, social activities, or family events you cannot participate in due to your injury.
Collect All Related Documentation
Having a well-documented case increases your chances of a successful claim. Some essential documents include:
- Police Report: Obtain a copy of the official accident report if law enforcement responded to the scene. This document provides an unbiased account of the incident.
- Receipts for Any Out-of-Pocket Expenses: From transportation costs for medical appointments to household help required due to your injury, keeping receipts for these expenses can enhance your claim for economic damages.
Curtail Statements and Social Media Activity
What you say and post after an accident can affect your case, as insurance adjusters often monitor claimants’ social media accounts for any contradictory information.
- Avoid Discussing the Accident Publicly: Refrain from making statements to anyone other than your attorney. Opposing parties will use any information you share against you.
- Limit Social Media Activity: Avoid posting updates or photos. Opposing parties may take a seemingly innocent post, such as one showing you enjoying a moment with friends, as evidence to argue that your injuries are less severe than claimed.
