Car accidents happen daily. Minnesota reported 73,896 traffic crashes that resulted in 29,439 injuries and 361 deaths during 2014, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
An average day in Minnesota during 2014 had 215 crashes reported. The city of Minneapolis alone had 11,118 crashes reported during the same year. Of those Minneapolis accidents, 4,225 people suffered injuries and 7 others lost their lives.
A variety of damages could come from a single Minnesota car accident. The state suffered a total economic cost of $1,604,051,900 due to the 2014 accidents. A high number of crashes involved alcohol, distracted driving, or speeding.
If you have been involved in a Minneapolis car accident, help is available. You can recoup your losses through a personal injury claim. The insurance company of the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the costs of your damages.
The Most Dangerous Highways in Minneapolis
Minneapolis has hundreds of highways, expressways, and streets making their way into and around the city. Auto accidents can occur on any of those roads, but there are some roads that do have higher incidents of accidents. Here are few of the more dangerous roads in the Minneapolis area.
Hiawatha Avenue
A busy street that travels into downtown Minneapolis, Hiawatha Avenue sees more than its fair share of auto accidents. The avenue's intersection with East 26th Street is among the most dangerous in the area.
This is because the traffic that heads into the downtown area is speeding up and trying to get in the right lane as drivers approach the ramp that enters Interstate 94 West.
I-94
I-94 is a heavily traveled road that gets more than its fair share of traffic. That increased traffic volume produces more crashes. Of course, more crashes mean more injuries, more deaths, and more damage.
What to Do After a Crash
Try to remain calm after a Minneapolis auto accident. You need to stay at the scene and get the right information to protect your rights and preserve your chances for a successful personal injury claim. Here are some tips regarding what you should do after a Minneapolis car accident:
- Examine the scene to determine if anyone has injuries serious enough to require an ambulance. If there are any serious injuries at the scene, call an ambulance.
- Contact the police so that they can file an accident report and complete an onsite investigation.
- Use your camera or cell phone to take photos of the accident scene and damage if possible.
- Exchange names, contact information, and insurance information with the other driver.
- Get examined by a medical professional at a local emergency room.
Minneapolis Hospitals
If you have been in an accident, it is better to go ahead and get checked out at the local ER even if you don't initially believe your injuries are serious. Sometimes injuries are much worse than they appear. Here are a few local hospitals where you could go to the emergency room:
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 E. 28th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hennepin County Medical Center
701 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
University of Minnesota Medical Center, East Bank
500 SE Harvard St.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Minneapolis Auto Repair
After a car accident, your vehicle will need auto repairs. Keep any receipts for any repairs you have done. In a similar vein, keep receipts for any rental cars or tow bills. Get written estimates for repairs from a qualified auto body repair shop. Here are Minneapolis area towing companies and auto body repair shops:
Lehman's Garage, an ABRA Company
619 S. 7th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Hagen's Auto Body
2800 Lyndale Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Schmit Towing Service
92 43d Ave. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55421
The Most Valuable Resource: A Personal Injury Attorney
While several resources are going to be valuable to you after a Minneapolis auto accident, your most valuable resource will be a personal injury attorney.
Your attorney will help you file a personal injury claim so you can recover the damages that you have suffered because of the accident. Consider doing it as soon as you can since there is a statute of limitations on filing a claim.
Your attorney will investigate your crash, collect all the evidence, and then come up with the best plan of action to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free case evaluation with a Minneapolis personal injury attorney today. That way, you can start getting your life back to normal after your accident.
