A violation of a Minnesota traffic law is prima facie evidence of driver negligence, meaning it is considered negligence if the defendant fails to introduce evidence of an excuse or justification for violating the traffic law. If a driver involved in a car accident is found negligent, persons injured in the accident may sue for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering (includes physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement and disability) and other expenses.

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Traffic law violations frequently involved in Minnesota car accidents include the following:

Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Minnesota statutory law regarding right-of-way can be found in Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.20. Includes provisions on intersections, left turns, stop signs, emergency vehicles, entering the highway and transit buses. Read about Minnesota accidents and failure to yield right-of-way.

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Speeding: Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.14 provides specific speed limits for different roadways. For example, the speed limit for noninterstate expressways and noninterstate freeways is 65, unless otherwise stated on a traffic sign. All of the speed limits listed can be modified and the lower speed limits posted. Drivers are responsible for knowing the speed limit. Read about a Minnesota accident caused by a speeding driver.

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Turning, Signaling, U-Turns and Changing Lanes: Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.19 provides laws governing turning at an intersection, signaling to turn, signaling to stop, u-turns, changing course (includes changing lanes) and starting from a stopped position. The law states that all drivers are responsible for driving in a manner that is safe. Read about an accident involving failure to signal, an illegal turn, a u-turn or recklessly changing lanes.

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Drunk Driving (DUI): Under Minnesota Statute, Sec. 169A, it is a violation of Minnesota law to drive with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more. In a civil action against a drunk driver, the injured party may have a claim for punitive damages, which, depending on the circumstances, can be significant. A criminal charge or conviction is not a prerequisite to consideration of punitive damages. Read about a Minnesota drunk driving (DUI) accident.

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Cell Phones and Text Messaging: Under Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.443, subd. 9, a school bus driver may not operate a school bus while communicating over, or otherwise operating a cellular phone for personal reasons when the vehicle is in motion. This restriction applies whether the style of the cell phone is hand held or hands free. This also includes texting. Minnesota Statutes, Sections 171.05 and 171.055, states that provisional license holders and instruction permit holders who are under the age of 18 may not use cell phones when driving. Read about a Minnesota accident involving cell phone use or test messaging.

If you have been injured by a car, commercial truck, motorcycle or other vehicle in Minnesota, contact our law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or (612)338-0202. If you would prefer to send us an on-line message, please submit our free consultation form.

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Six-year-old Dominick Strey was hit and killed by his school bus April 6, 2009. According to the Itasca County sheriff, he exited his bus and walked in front of it. The bus rolled forward and knocked him down.

Dominick died at the scene.

The accident happened near Calumet, Minnesota.

Liability for School Bus Wrongful Death

A bus driver is required to use “the utmost caution” to ensure the safety of the passengers (Urban v. Minneapolis St. Ry.). If this tragedy was caused by the driver’s failure to use this high degree of caution (driver negligence), the driver, Greenway Public School District and others may be liable to the family for their loss.

Please contact our Minnesota law firm to talk to an attorney. For each of the families we represent in wrongful death cases, we are dedicated to seeking justice by both:

1. Obtaining the best possible compensation for the family and
2. Fighting for any changes needed to prevent similar tragedies.
   

To contact our law firm about a bus accident, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form. An attorney from our office can meet you at a location that is convenient for you.

Pritzker | Olsen attorneys have appeared on CBS News, Fox News, KARE-TV, KSTP-TV and WCCO-TV. They have also been quoted by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA, Minnesota Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics, the Star Tribune and other publications. Several of our lawyers have also been named Minnesota “Super Lawyers” by Law & Politics magazine.

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Reference: Urban v. Minneapolis St. Ry., 256 Minn. 1, 5, 96 N.W.2d 698, 700 (1959).

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Labels: lawyer, Minnesota bus accident, wrongful death