TSR Injury Law Support Hunger Solutions Minnesota During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on April 27, 2020 in Community Involvement
Updated on March 23, 2022

Our firm is supporting Hunger Solutions Minnesota, which is the only anti-hunger organization providing services in every county in the state. Organizations like these are critical right now, as millions are unemployed or are unable to work and may be struggling to provide food for themselves and their families.

As our social safety net is challenged because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hunger Solutions Minnesota and other organizations like it become extremely important.

About Hunger Solutions Minnesota

Hunger Solutions Minnesota works with the state and federal government to support programs tackling hunger on a large scale. This includes working with food banks that distribute food. This organization also works to connect hungry people with local help.

Thank you to these organizations and the individuals on the front lines during this crisis.

Supporting World Central Kitchen During the Pandemic

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on in Community Involvement
Updated on February 10, 2023

Charities and non-profit organizations are very important during a large-scale crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, World Central Kitchen is working to safely distribute fresh meals to communities that need support.

TSR Injury Law is proud to support this organization’s efforts to help provide food to communities in need. Safety nets, like school feeding programs, city services and food banks, are struggling mightily during this crisis. This is where charities and non-profits can step in to help make a difference for seniors, hospital workers and others in need.

World Central Kitchen (WCK) is working in dozens of cities providing more than 160,000 fresh meals each day. This organization is also providing jobs to restaurant staff who are out of work. WCK has committed to buying one million meals from local restaurants and delivering those meals directly to those who need them.

TSR would like to thank World Central Kitchen, and the other people and organizations working to help everyone through this difficult time.

Traffic Deaths Have Increased Over the Last Month in Minnesota

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 23, 2024

Even though the stay-at-home order issued last month has resulted in a huge decline in the amount of traffic on our state’s roads, there has been a troubling increase in fatal crashes.

Between March 16 and April 9, there were 24 fatal crashes, resulting in 28 deaths. There were just 12 fatal crashes during the same period last year, and 13 during the same period in 2018.

There has been an increase in drivers speeding all over the state because of less traffic, says State Patrol Lt. Gordon Shank. Half of the deaths during the period in question were related to speeding or reckless driving, according to Minnesota’s Traffic Safety office.

All of this has happened despite traffic levels being significantly lower – the level of traffic has been between 34 percent and 55 percent lower every day since March 28 when the stay-at-home order happened. In fact, on April 6, traffic was 47 percent less than the average for Mondays in 2019. Statewide, there was 50 percent less traffic on April 6 compared to last year.

The traffic safety office released a statement saying less traffic does not mean drivers can speed or be extra aggressive. Drivers need to take precautions to help make sure hospital beds are available for those infected with COVID-19.

The total number of traffic deaths this year is 10 percent more than it was at this point last year. As of April 9, there were 76 traffic deaths compared to 69 at this point last year.

Despite these alarming statistics, drunk driving arrests have significantly decreased since restaurants and bars were ordered to shut down, except for delivery or carryout.

Injured in a Car Crash? See How an Attorney May be Able to Help You

Our Minneapolis auto accident attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss legal options after a car crash. We have recovered millions in compensation on behalf of crash victims in Minnesota.

The consultation comes with no obligation to take legal action. That means there is no risk to you. We also do not charge for our services unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

You can call us anytime to set up your free legal consultation. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.

Liability in Right-Turn Car Crash Claims in Minneapolis

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on April 23, 2020 in Auto Accidents
Updated on September 12, 2024

While left turns are more dangerous, plenty of crashes occur when drivers turn right. One way this could happen is if drivers pull out into traffic at the wrong time, especially if the approaching driver is speeding.

The Minneapolis car crash lawyers at TSR Injury Law discuss who is at fault in a right-turn accident in Minneapolis. Many factors must be evaluated, including whether the driver in the oncoming car may be partially at fault.

Insurance companies like to blame victims of these crashes, which is why you need an experienced lawyer to manage your case. At TSR, our services come with no upfront fees. We are not paid unless our clients get paid.

What is a Right-Turn Accident?

Right-turn accidents may occur when one driver attempts to make a right turn and collides with an oncoming car. These crashes usually happen at intersections, but they are also common in parking lots.

What Causes Right-Turn Crashes in Minneapolis?

Right-turn crashes are typically the result of a driver turning into oncoming traffic. While the driver may have checked for traffic, he or she misjudged the time needed to make the turn or the distance his or her vehicle was from oncoming traffic. Drivers may often make these mistakes when they are distracted or in a rush.

Even when drivers know oncoming traffic is a little too close, they may try to make the turn as fast as possible. Unfortunately, oncoming vehicles might not be able to slow down or stop in time. Some drivers make the turn and slowly accelerate, making it that much harder for oncoming drivers to avoid a collision.

Oncoming drivers may cause right-turn accidents because they are distracted or going over the speed limit. Sometimes an oncoming driver could cause a right-turn crash by changing lanes while a driver starts to turn. In this situation, the right-turning driver might not have seen the oncoming vehicle changing lanes in time to stop.

While victims in right-turn crashes are often drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists could also get hit by a car making a right turn. Drivers must look for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially in blind spots, when pulling forward to make a right turn.

If a driver blocks a crosswalk, he or she could force pedestrians and bicyclists to move out into the intersection to continue crossing the street, putting them at risk of getting hit by oncoming cars.

Sometimes right-turning drivers look left for oncoming traffic but fail to also look right for pedestrians who are in the crosswalk.

Who is Usually at Fault in a Car Crash?

The driver who broke the rules of the road is often found at fault for a car crash. For example, maybe the driver exceeded the speed limit, ran a red light, violated another driver’s right of way, or followed another car too closely. If one of the drivers involved in a car is issued a citation by the police, that driver is probably going to bear most, if not all, of the fault for the accident.

How Does Minnesota Assign Fault For a Right-Turn Crash?

In Minnesota, fault for car crashes and other types of personal injury accidents is assigned based on negligence. The negligent at-fault party can be held liable for damages.

Negligence refers to a breach of a duty of care, such as the duty to obey the speed limit and other rules of the road. The breach of duty must be the cause of the crash. The crash must also be directly linked to the injuries and damages suffered by the victim.

It is important to remember that Minnesota is a no-fault state when it comes to car accident claims. That means victims first seek compensation from the no-fault coverage in their own insurance policies, no matter who caused the crash.

The other driver may still be at fault. However, victims cannot step outside of the no-fault system to file a liability claim or lawsuit unless their injuries and damages cross a certain threshold.

What You Need to Know About Fault For a Minneapolis Right-Turn Collision?

Many right-turn accidents happen when drivers attempt to turn right on a red light. The driver who was turning right is usually at fault because oncoming traffic has the right of way and turning drivers must yield. Turning drivers can also be at fault if they get into a crash while turning at an intersection where red light turns are prohibited.

These are the general rules about fault for right-turn crashes. However, there are exceptions when oncoming drivers may be at fault.

For example, if an oncoming driver was speeding, he or she might be partially at fault. If an oncoming driver changed lanes while in the intersection and crashed into a right-turning driver, he or she could be at least partially liable for damages.

Sometimes a driver turning right on a green light may get hit by an oncoming driver who ran a red light. In this situation, the red-light running driver could be held fully liable for the crash.

Oncoming drivers could also share fault for a right-turn crash if they were distracted. For example, maybe an oncoming driver was texting while going through an intersection. Even though the right-turning driver did not have the right of way, the distracted driver may be partially at fault.

What Happens if the Parties in a Crash Are Partially at Fault?

In Minnesota, you can pursue compensation after a car crash if you are less than 50 percent at fault for what happened. In other words, if you are more at fault than the other driver, you are barred from recovering compensation for your injuries or vehicle damages.

If you are found partially at fault, but less than 50 percent, the total value of your compensation will be reduced according to the percentage of fault you are assigned. An example of this is if a driver was found to be 10 percent at fault for a crash due to speeding. This individual would see any compensation awarded reduced by 10 percent.

Even if you believe you are partially at fault for the crash, you should discuss your situation with a licensed attorney. You should not rely on the insurance company to make an accurate assessment of your fault for a crash. Insurers often try to assign more fault for a crash than should rightly be assigned. Insurers are for-profit businesses and will look for any way to reduce the amount of compensation paid to crash victims.

What You Should Do After a Right-Turn Accident

If you were injured in a right-turn car crash in Minnesota, there are steps you should take for your health and safety, as well as your potential legal claim.

Dial 9-1-1

Tell the dispatcher what happened and that you need assistance. The dispatcher can help you determine if you need an ambulance to join the police at the scene. When the police arrive, they can help secure the area. That way oncoming traffic will not be too close to you or the other driver. The police can also investigate the accident, talk to you and the other driver, and draft an accident report.

Move Your Vehicle Out of the Flow of Traffic

If possible, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic. The last thing you want is to get hit by an oncoming car. You may want to turn your hazard lights on to help alert approaching drivers to your stopped vehicle.

Be careful about exiting your vehicle. You do not want to be walking too close to passing traffic. You could get clipped by a car and suffer further injury.

Document the Crash Scene

This is not your highest priority. Your lawyer can gather evidence on your behalf. However, if possible, you can take pictures just minutes after the crash. You can also exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information. If there are any witnesses, you can note their names and contact information.

You should only take these steps if it is safe to get out of your car and walk around the crash site. You do not want to be up walking around if you think you might aggravate your injuries.

Go to the Hospital For Treatment

It is generally best to go straight to the hospital from the scene of the crash. You might think your injuries will heal on their own, but you could be wrong. For instance, severe internal injuries after a crash are extremely common. You should never take any car crash injury lightly.

Right-turn crashes can cause severe injuries, including:

Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash
Spinal cord damage
Back injuries

Rotator cuff injuries
Shoulder injuries
Hip injuries
And more

You need to seek immediate medical treatment after your right-turn crash so your injuries can be diagnosed and stabilized. This is not only important for your health, but also for your potential compensation claim. Seeking immediate treatment demonstrates a connection between your injury and the crash.

Avoid Saying Too Much to the Insurance Company

If the insurance company calls you after a right-turn crash, you should avoid revealing too much. You can write down what you remember about the crash as soon as possible and discuss things with an attorney before talking to the insurance company. If you wait to write down what you remember, you could easily forget.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

Consulting with an attorney before giving an insurance statement could greatly benefit a crash victim. Since the consultation is free, there is no reason not to seek legal help before talking to an insurance company.

The attorneys at TSR Injury Law have many years of combined experience helping victims of a variety of crashes. We know how to assess whether you have a valid claim and whether you may be partially at fault for a crash.

We are prepared to seek maximum compensation for the damages you suffered in your right-turn crash, which could include:

Medical treatment right after the crash
Follow-up medical care
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Future medical care

Prescription medications
Medical testing
Pain and suffering
And more

Have Questions About Legal Options? Call TSR Injury Law Today

We understand crash victims often have a lot of questions about the legal process. We have helped numerous crash victims over more than 20 years in practice, recovering millions in compensation on their behalf.

There is no cost or obligation to meet with us to discuss your crash and whether you may have a valid claim for compensation. We welcome your call, and there is no risk to you.

Even if you were partially to blame for a right-turn crash, you may still be eligible to pursue compensation.

Call (612) TSR-TIME or fill out an online form and we will be in touch shortly.

Should I Expect a Delay in My Injury Claim Because of the Coronavirus?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on April 20, 2020 in Personal Injury
Updated on December 5, 2022

There are many unknowns with the coronavirus and the many ways it has affected the economy, along with businesses and public services like the courts. Injury victims may be concerned about delays in being able to pursue compensation.

Below, learn more about how the pandemic could cause delays in your insurance claim or court case. While there is uncertainty, it is still important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. First and foremost, an attorney can help determine if you have a valid case. If you do, your attorney can get to work investigating, which takes time.

Possible Delays with Insurance Companies

While you may not think of an insurance company as a business the same way you would a restaurant or grocery store, insurance companies still need to make a profit to stay in business. As businesses and individuals are strapped for cash and may be struggling to pay their premiums, insurance companies are not in a rush to pay claims.

Insurance companies may also drag their feet on processing claims, hoping victims will end up accepting a lowball settlement offer out of desperation. Many people are unemployed or working fewer hours because of the pandemic, and they are becoming increasingly desperate for money the longer they are under stay-at-home orders in their states.

However, you should not delay pursuing insurance compensation, even if the process may be delayed because of the pandemic. Starting the process quickly helps connect your injuries and damages to the accident.

Our lawyers are prepared to manage the entire insurance claims process on your behalf. This includes filing the claim and communicating with the insurance company on your behalf to protect the value of your claim. TSR Injury Law is set up to start and prosecute your injury claim without meeting face to face.

Can I Still Receive Medical Treatment?

Hospitals are still treating patients for conditions besides coronavirus. If you are concerned about possibly contracting the virus at the hospital, contact them to find out what you can do to help reduce your risk, such as wearing a mask and keeping your distance from others as much as possible.

If there are delays, it is important to remember that they are not your fault. Be sure to document appointments with doctors, including when you had to reschedule an appointment to refute insurance company arguments about gaps in your medical care. This includes virtual meetings with doctors through Skype, Facetime, Zoom or other platforms. Even though you are not physically in the room with the doctor, you can discuss your symptoms so they can be documented in your medical records.

As you may struggle to obtain all the treatment you need, it may take longer to reach the point of maximum medical improvement. This could delay the settlement of your claim. However, it is best to wait until this point to settle, if you can afford to do so.

This is a complex issue you can discuss with one of our Bloomington personal injury lawyers in a free legal consultation.

Are the Courts Still Open?

Public access to the courts has been limited because of the coronavirus. Access to these facilities will be subject to conditions set by county officials.

However, no jury trials can begin before May 4 or until further order of the court, whichever happens first. Unless a proceeding is required to occur in a courtroom, court proceedings must be done by ITV or remote technology that permits attorneys and parties to appear without actually being in the courtroom.

District and appellate courts will continue accepting filings of all case types. These filings may need to be done electronically.

Call Today to Set Up Your Free, No-Risk Legal Consultation

Our firm has a proven track record of recovering over $1 billion on behalf of our clients. We have extensive knowledge of Minnesota laws and the legal process, and a legal team ready to aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your damages.

Our licensed attorneys do not charge legal fees unless we recover compensation. The consultation is also free and there is no obligation for you to take legal action. As we are practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we can do the consultation over the phone and manage your case remotely, so you do not need to come into the office.

Call today to learn more about how we assist injury victims in their time of need. (612) TSR-TIME

How Can Evidence be Preserved After an Accident

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on April 16, 2020 in Personal Injury
Updated on February 10, 2023

There is often a lot of uncertainty after a personal injury occurs. Victims may have many questions: Will I ever fully recover? How will I pay my bills while I am out of work? Could the injury have been prevented? Is someone else at fault?

Accident victims may also have questions about what they can do to protect their potential claim for compensation, such as preserving evidence. While each situation is unique, there are steps many injury victims can take that may help strengthen their potential claim.

Below, learn more about preservation of evidence, including things attorneys can do. The Minneapolis personal injury lawyers at TSR Injury Law have decades of combined experience building robust cases on behalf of Minnesota injury victims. Learn more about our experience and results by contacting us to schedule a free consultation.

What You Can Do Right After an Accident

Your health and recovery are the top priorities after an accident. However, if it is safe to do so and you will not be making your injuries worse, take out your smartphone and take pictures at the scene. After you leave the scene, things may be altered or cleaned up, depriving you of the chance to document what things looked like in the moments after your injury occurred. You could easily forget how things looked days or even hours later.

Take as many pictures as you can. Take pictures of the hazard or dangerous condition that led to your injury (damaged road, missing handrail on a staircase, pothole in a parking lot, etc.), along with any vehicle property damage that resulted. The other vehicle may have damage that later gets denied, so gathering proof of the damage is easy and necessary.

If your injuries are visible, take pictures of them. If your clothes were damaged, take pictures of them and keep them as they may be used as evidence later.

Were there any witnesses? At a minimum, get their names and phone numbers to be contacted later. Even if the police say they will collect the information, if you are able get the information yourself. Sometimes the police reports do not document the names even when they are supposed to.

You can also record videos of your conversations with witnesses, if you ask them and they agree to be recorded.

Whenever possible, file an official police report. After a car crash, contact the police so they can file an official crash report. When another type of accident occurs, such as a boat or snowmobile crash, you may be able to file a different type of police/accident report. If you were injured on another’s property, such as in a retail store, ask the property owner or a manager or supervisor to complete an official accident report.

It can also be important to write down what you remember about the accident as soon after it happens. Try to answer general questions someone else might ask you about the accident:

What were you doing before you got hurt?
What caused you to become injured?
What was the at-fault party doing?

Documenting Pain and Suffering and Your Treatment

In order to recover maximum compensation, you need to keep track of your medical expenses. Keeping them all together in one place could save the stress of having to look for things later.

While the progress of your treatment will be documented in your medical records, it could also be helpful for you to keep a journal where you discuss how treatment is going in your own words. You can talk about the pain you are experiencing on a daily basis and how your injuries have affected various aspects of your life.

Writing these things down on a regular basis helps show the severity of your injuries and could help your attorneys calculate your pain and suffering when it is time to negotiate a settlement.

What if the Other Side Destroys Evidence?

The at-fault party, the insurance company, or attorneys representing the other side may not want certain evidence to come to light. There have even been cases where the other side has taken steps to get rid of evidence.

However, the other side could be punished for this by the courts. As this is a complex issue, you should strongly consider meeting with a licensed attorney to discuss.

Schedule Your Free, No-Obligation Legal Consultation Today

It is never too soon to speak to an attorney about a crash. There is limited time to take legal action and an attorney can determine if you may have a valid claim while answering your questions.

Learn more about how we may be able to assist you by calling or completing a Free Case Evaluation form to schedule your free consultation. There is no obligation to take legal action if we find you have a case. There are also no upfront fees for our services.

Our phone lines are open 24/7: (612) TSR-TIME. A representative of our firm is ready to speak with you and set up a free meeting with a licensed attorney. TSR Injury law employs retired police to help investigate cases, so allow us to lock down documentation that can help you later.

Hit-and-Run Crashes in Minneapolis Rarely Result in Arrests

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on April 9, 2020 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 23, 2024

The police responded to more than 4,000 hit-and-run complaints in 2019 alone, unfortunately, data from the Star Tribune shows arrests were made in less than one percent of cases. The Fifth Precinct in southwest Minneapolis had the lowest arrest rate for these crashes, while all five had similar percentages of arrests.

According to police department officials and city council members, the low number of arrests is partly because of the absence of a dedicated traffic unit for high-collision areas and drunken or distracted driving or speeding. Unfortunately, the council voted down a proposal to apply for a $1.3 million federal grant to help the city with traffic enforcement.

There is an ongoing debate about whether installing traffic cameras and working to engineer safer roads would be better for increasing safety than simply adding more police officers to enforce laws.

Police Policy on Hit-and-Run Crashes

In 2012, the Minneapolis Police Department instituted a policy that hit-and-run crashes should only be investigated if there were serious injuries or fatalities. Staff cuts had forced the department’s traffic unit to focus only on the more serious crashes.

Star Tribune data shows the police arrested a suspect in just 31 of 4,234 cases, a rate of 0.7 percent. Over the past five years, the police made an arrest over a hit-and-run crash in approximately seven percent of cases. If there were injuries, the arrest rate was 10 percent.

Minneapolis PD has just four traffic investigators – for comparison, they had 24 in the late 90s. These investigators are tasked with looking into hit-and-run crashes, police pursuits and crashes involving police and other city vehicles.

However, minor hit-and-run crashes and other minor crashes are usually managed by patrol officers. All five police precincts have traffic response cars for complaints about hit-and-run crashes, drivers ignoring stop signs, or speeding in areas where children commonly play.

There has also been a shift in the approach of police officers. They are trying to be more data driven in making traffic stops. Between 2010 and 2017, traffic stops declined by about 70 percent, going from 92,400 to just 29,150.

Reasons for Hit-and-Run Crashes

According to research, alcohol and drugs are common reasons why crashes happen and why drivers may decide to leave the scene.

In some cases, those who leave may be afraid they have more to lose if they wait for the police to get there. This may be particularly true if the driver has a suspended license, arrest warrant, or lapsed insurance policy.

Some of the other reasons people may flee the scene include, weather, traffic or whether there is a nearby location for drinking alcohol.

City Campaign for Traffic Safety

Our city has started a campaign to promote traffic safety, not just for drivers, but bicyclists and pedestrians as well.

In March, city officials revealed the speed limits on arterial and residential streets will be reduced next year as part of the Vision Zero program, which has a goal of eliminating all traffic deaths by 2027 using education, traffic enforcement and improved street design. Next year, the speed limit on arterial streets will be reduced to 25 miles per hour and the speed on residential streets will be reduced to 20 miles per hour.

Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident? Call TSR Injury to Discuss Legal Options

Whether the police investigate the crash or not, you may be able to obtain compensation for your damages through an insurance claim. As these claims can be quite complicated, it is important to contact a trusted Minneapolis car accident lawyer.

At TSR Injury Law, we offer a free legal consultation to hit-and-run crash victims to discuss if you may be eligible for compensation for damages. We have extensive knowledge of Minnesota insurance regulations and coverages for hit-and-run crashes.

We charge no upfront fees for representing our clients. Call (612) TSR-TIME today.

FDA Requests Recall of Zantac and All Other Ranitidine Products

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on in Consumers Alerts
Updated on December 1, 2022

On April 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was asking manufacturers of all Zantac products to do a full recall because of an unsafe level of a potential cancer-causing impurity in these drugs. This includes all prescription and over-the-counter products.

This is the latest in a series of recalls related to the impurity N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a probable human carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance. Now the FDA has determined the amount of this impurity increases over time when products are stored at higher than room temperature.

In summer 2019, the FDA found out about independent laboratory testing that revealed NDMA in ranitidine. While small amounts of this substance are commonly found in food and water, sustained exposure to large amounts of this substance could increase your risk of developing cancer.

This led the FDA to issue a warning to the public in September 2019 because they did not have enough evidence to determine whether it was safe to continue taking these medications. The FDA advised the public to consider alternatives to this medication.

New tests done by the FDA found NDMA levels increase in ranitidine even under normal storage conditions. Also, testing showed the older a ranitidine product is, the higher the level of NDMA it is likely to have.

The FDA sent letters to all manufacturers requesting the withdrawal of these medications. The FDA advised consumers to stop taking over-the-counter ranitidine products, dispose of them properly, and not buy more. Those taking prescriptions should speak to their healthcare provider about alternatives before they stop taking this medication.

As we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA is telling patients and consumers not to take these medications to a drug take-back location but follow specific disposal instructions in the medication guide or package insert.

Schedule a Free Consultation if You Developed Cancer While on Zantac

TSR Injury Law offers a free consultation to those who developed bladder or stomach cancer while taking Zantac or other ranitidine medications. Research has linked these medications to a higher risk of cancer because of a harmful impurity.

Our Bloomington defective product lawyers may be able to pursue compensation for the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you may have suffered.

Our firm has recovered over $1 billion on behalf of our clients, and we have extensive knowledge of relevant laws and deadlines. Our goal is to obtain maximum compensation for your damages. No upfront fees for our services.

We are ready to take your call 24/7. (612) TSR-TIME