Driver Negligence

The following information on driver negligence is provided by Pritzker | Olsen, a Minnesota law firm with a national reputation. Attorneys at our law firm have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS News, Fox News, KARE-TV, KSTP-TV, WCCO-TV and others. To contact our law firm about an accident involving driver negligence, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or submit our free consultation form.

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Driver liability in a car accident case is usually based on negligence. To obtain compensation from the driver of a vehicle (actually, his or her insurance company) in a negligence case, your attorney will need to prove 4 elements:

The driver had a duty
The driver breached that duty
This breach caused the accident
The accident resulted in damages to you (medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.)

Duties of a Driver

Driver on Cell Phone Accident The driver of a vehicle has "duties" under the law to passengers in his or her vehicle, people in other motor vehicles (cars, buses, motorcycles), people riding bicycles and pedestrians. Any of these people can sue the driver and his or her insurance company for compensation.

The driver of a motor vehicle has the following duties:

Duty to exercise reasonable care
If a bus or other “common carrier,” the highest degree of care for the safety of the passengers
Duty to follow the traffic laws:
- Right-of-way (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.20)
- Speeding (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.14, subd.1)
- Turning, changing lanes, u-turns and signaling (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.19, subd.4)
- Not to use cell phone while driving if young driver or school bus driver (Minnesota Statutes, Section 171.05 and 171.055; Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.443, subd. 9)
- Not to text a message while driving (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.475)
- Not to drive drunk (Minnesota Statute, Section 169A)
- General driving rules (Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.18) - primarily passing rules

Drunk Driving Accident MN A violation of a traffic law is prima facie evidence of negligence, meaning it is considered negligence if the defendant fails to introduce evidence of an excuse or justification for violating the traffic law.

If you have been in a Minnesota accident and want to understand your legal rights and remedies against the driver of a vehicle, insurance companies, dram shops, vehicle manufacturers and others, contact a Minnesota car accident lawyer at Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free).

Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. is a national law firm with offices located in Minneapolis, MN. We will meet you at your home, the hospital or at any location that is convenient to you.

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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Wins Millions for Client

Attorney Fred Pritzker won $6,000,000 for a client whose right leg was amputated when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver. If you have been in an accident with a DUI driver, you may have a cliam against a bar or other place that sells alcohol.

Truck Wheel Accident Death

Our law firm recently won $2,850,000 for a family whose loved one was killed by a truck wheel that crashed through a car windshield. Read about a truck wheel off accident.

Tow Truck Accident

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Elliot Olsen obtained a $2,750,000 recovery for a 59 year-old truck driver who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the loss of his left eye and significant disfigurement when the tow chain being used to pull the man’s semi tractor-trailer out of a ditch broke loose from a front-end loader to which it was attached.

Semi-Truck Crash Settlement

Pritzker Olsen attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman recently obtained a hard-fought $2,560,000 recovery for a couple who were seriously injured in a semi-truck crash. The husband suffered serious head injury (TBI). Read about the semi truck crash settlement.

Our lawyers have recovered millions more for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation about your accident.

This is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The result of each case is determined by the specific facts and the applicable law.

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