A walk around Shakopee instantly changes when a vehicle strikes you, but a Shakopee pedestrian accident lawyer from Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law helps you secure the compensation for your losses. We offer dedicated support to injured pedestrians throughout Scott County.
Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law gets results for pedestrian victims. Call us today for guidance at (763) 317-4574.
Shakopee Pedestrian Accident Guide
Why Choose Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law for Your Shakopee Pedestrian Accident Claim
After a pedestrian accident in Shakopee, Minnesota, you need a legal team that understands your situation and fights for you. We commit to representing pedestrians injured in Shakopee with diligence.Local Advocates
Our lawyers know Shakopee. We understand the local roads, from the bustling stretches of 1st Avenue East and Lewis Street to the quieter neighborhood crossings in areas like Southbridge, Dean Lake, and Windermere.
Our team knows the high-foot-traffic zones where walkers are especially at risk, such as near Southbridge Crossing Shopping Center, Canterbury Park, and the Shakopee Town Square area.
Whether the incident occurred near a busy retail hub, in a parking lot, or at a suburban intersection, our familiarity with Scott County helps us investigate your pedestrian accident thoroughly and pursue the justice you deserve.
Focused Experience on Accident Victims
Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law centers our practice on helping injury victims in Shakopee and across Minnesota. We have a strong grasp of Minnesota’s pedestrian laws and how they apply to cases in Shakopee. Our team provides compassionate and effective legal help to residents of Shakopee and nearby communities.Client-Focused Approach
Your recovery is our priority. A Shakopee pedestrian injury attorney from our firm works to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries, lost income, and suffering. We handle the complex legal fight so you can concentrate on healing. For dedicated support from a Shakopee pedestrian accident attorney, contact Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law at (763) 317-4574.How a Shakopee Pedestrian Accident Attorney Helps You
A Shakopee pedestrian accident attorney takes on the burdens of your legal claim, guiding you through each step and working to protect your rights. Your lawyer manages the details so you don’t have to.Investigating Your Pedestrian Accident
Your attorney for a pedestrian accident in Shakopee examines the facts of your case after gathering crucial evidence such as:- Police Reports: We obtain and review the official accident report related to your Shakopee incident.
- Witness Statements: Our team identifies and interviews anyone who saw the pedestrian accident.
- Scene Examination: We analyze the accident location in Shakopee, looking for factors like traffic signals, road conditions, or visibility issues.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. Their adjusters may contact you soon after the accident, but you don’t have to speak with them alone. Your pedestrian accident lawyer in Shakopee handles all communications and negotiations with insurance companies. They protect you from tactics designed to weaken your claim.Calculating Your Claim
Understanding the full extent of your losses is a key part of your case. Your Shakopee pedestrian accident lawyer assesses all damages, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. They also consider the pain and suffering the accident caused you. This comprehensive calculation aims for fair compensation.Representing You in Negotiations and Court
Many pedestrian accident claims settle out of court, and your lawyer negotiates skillfully on your behalf. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, your Shakopee pedestrian accident attorney can take your case to trial. They’ll advocate for your best interests in front of a judge.Negligence and Its Role in Pedestrian Collisions
To win your pedestrian accident claim, your Shakopee pedestrian injury lawyer shows that the driver was careless, often called negligence. We work to prove four things for your case:- We demonstrate that the driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely around pedestrians in Shakopee. This part is exceptionally straightforward.
- We show that the driver broke that duty by taking an unsafe action, such as texting while driving or failing to yield.
- Our team directly connects the driver’s unsafe action to the accident that injured you.
- We establish the injuries and losses you suffered because of the pedestrian accident.
Other Potentially Responsible Parties
Sometimes, someone other than the driver shares blame for a pedestrian accident. For example, if a faulty traffic signal or poorly maintained crosswalks contributed to the crash, the city or agency responsible for its maintenance might be liable. If a vehicle defect, like brake failure, caused the accident, the car manufacturer or a parts supplier might bear some responsibility. If a rideshare driver hit you while working, the rideshare company (like Uber or Lyft) might have some liability depending on the circumstances. Your lawyer investigates all possibilities to identify every party who might owe you compensation.Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Shakopee
Pedestrian accidents in Shakopee often happen because drivers simply aren’t careful. Your legal team investigates the case and looks for negligence. Here are common negligent factors that cause pedestrian injuries.Distracted Driving
A driver looking at a phone, adjusting the radio, or eating isn’t focused on driving. This type of distraction means they might not see a pedestrian in time to stop. Many collisions in Shakopee involve a distracted driver.Failure To Yield at Crosswalks
Minnesota law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Too often, drivers disregard this rule in Shakopee, speeding through intersections or turning without checking for people crossing.Speeding and Reckless Driving
When drivers exceed posted speed limits or operate their vehicles recklessly, they endanger everyone. Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of impact in a pedestrian accident. Reckless actions like aggressive lane changes near pedestrian areas also put walkers at risk.Impaired Driving
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment and slower reactions, making them a significant threat to pedestrians in Shakopee. Despite strict laws, impaired driving continues to cause devastating pedestrian accidents.Types of Compensation a Shakopee Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Pursues
If a pedestrian accident injured you, you face many types of losses. A Shakopee pedestrian accident lawyer works to recover compensation to cover these damages. This financial recovery helps you manage the impact of the accident.
Your attorney seeks payment for various economic losses.
- Medical Expenses: Your lawyer fights for payment of all your hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, and physical therapy linked to the Shakopee pedestrian accident.
- Lost Income: They work to recover wages you lost while unable to work due to your injuries from the incident.
- Future Lost Earnings: If the accident permanently affects your ability to earn an income, your attorney seeks compensation for these future financial losses.
- Property Damage: Your attorney can also pursue compensation for any personal property damaged in the accident, such as clothing, electronics, or other belongings.
Non-Economic Damages
Compensation also covers non-economic damages, including the physical pain you endured and continue to experience. It also addresses emotional distress, such as anxiety or trauma, resulting from the pedestrian accident. A Shakopee pedestrian accident attorney helps demonstrate the extent of your pain and suffering to secure fair payment. Severe pedestrian accidents sometimes result in permanent injuries or disabilities. These long-term conditions may require ongoing medical care, assistive devices, or changes to your home. Your Shakopee injury lawyer for pedestrians aims to secure funds for this long-term care. They also seek compensation for any diminished quality of life due to lasting impairments.Your Rights as an Injured Pedestrian in Minnesota
As a pedestrian in Minnesota, you have specific rights, and a pedestrian injury lawyer helps you assert these rights effectively. Drivers in Minnesota have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles with reasonable care. This duty of care extends to watching out for pedestrians and taking steps to avoid collisions. If a driver fails in this duty and injures you in Shakopee, they may be held liable. Here are some key rights:- Right to Safety: Drivers must operate vehicles carefully to protect pedestrians in areas like Shakopee and across Minnesota.
- Right to Cross: Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks and at intersections with no signals, even if the crosswalk isn’t marked.
- Right to Compensation: If a driver’s carelessness injures you, you have the right to seek payment for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other damages.
What if the Driver Blames You?
Sometimes, a driver or their insurance company may try to blame you, the pedestrian, for the accident. Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your fault was not greater than the driver’s. Your Shakopee pedestrian accident lawyer works to counter unfair blame and protect your claim.The Time Limit for Filing a Claim in Minnesota
Minnesota law sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. For most pedestrian accident claims, this deadline is six years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to seek compensation in court. Contact a pedestrian accident claim Shakopee lawyer soon after your accident to preserve your claim.FAQ for Shakopee Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Bring any documents you have about the accident and your injuries, including the police report or incident number, photos of the accident scene or your injuries, and any letters from insurance companies.
Also, bring your own insurance information and medical records related to your treatment. Creating a list of questions for us is helpful, too.
The time it takes to resolve a pedestrian accident case varies. Some cases settle in a few months if liability is clear and injuries are straightforward.
More complex cases, especially those involving serious injuries or disputes about fault, might take a year or longer, particularly if a trial becomes necessary.
A hit-and-run pedestrian accident is frightening, but you still have options for compensation. Your own auto insurance policy might include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which applies in hit-and-run situations.
A Shakopee pedestrian injury attorney helps you explore all available avenues, including efforts to identify the fleeing driver.
You might still have a valid claim even if you weren’t in a marked crosswalk when the accident happened. Drivers in Minnesota must always exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians.
Your pedestrian accident lawyer in Shakopee carefully examines the accident details to determine if the driver was negligent. Factors like driver speed, distraction, or visibility play a role.
Hiring a local lawyer familiar with Shakopee offers distinct advantages. A local attorney understands Scott County court procedures and may know the judges and opposing lawyers.
They’re also aware of specific road conditions or common accident spots in Shakopee that could be relevant to your pedestrian injury claim. Local insight strengthens your case.
Seek Justice With Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law
An accident doesn’t get to write your story’s end. You have the power to seek justice and the compensation necessary to rebuild. Take control of your situation by partnering with a team that fights for you.
The team at Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law is ready to support you. Contact us for a confidential consultation with a dedicated Shakopee personal injury lawyer at (763) 317-4574.