What Should You Do if the At-Fault Driver Lies About the Car Crash?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on September 29, 2022 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 8, 2022

The aftermath of a car crash is difficult enough. If the at-fault driver lies about his or her role in the situation, it puts up another obstacle to recovering compensation for your damages. Even if the at-fault driver’s statements are untrue, they give the insurance company more reason to question your account of the crash.

If you think the at-fault driver is lying or exaggerating, it is important to contact an experienced attorney right away. You need a lawyer who has been through this process many times, who knows how to build a strong case and will pursue full compensation.

The Bloomington-based car accident attorneys at TSR Injury Law have secured compensation for many vehicle crash victims. We know how to investigate and gather evidence about the crash and determine the value of your damages.

Is the at-fault driver lying? Call TSR today: (612) TSR-TIME.

Why Some At-Fault Drivers Decide to Lie

Drivers who cause car crashes have an incentive to lie about what happened. If a driver caused a crash, the victim may be able to seek compensation from the driver’s liability insurance. Claims filed against that at-fault driver’s insurance policy could cause his or her insurance premiums to go up.

Drivers may also want to avoid a traffic citation, especially if they have received multiple traffic citations in a short period of time. The driver may be concerned about a license suspension, which can happen if you receive enough moving violations over a certain period.

Sometimes drivers lie because they have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs. They do not want to face the consequences of a DWI conviction.

Lies At-Fault Drivers May Tell

The driver who caused your crash might lie about a variety of things. For example, the driver may lie and say he or she was not speeding or texting and driving. While the victim may have suspicions that the at-fault driver was speeding or distracted, the at-fault driver may think there is no way you can prove it.

Drivers often lie about whether they were drinking. They do this because there are severe legal consequences for those who are convicted of drinking and driving.

Drivers may also lie about being fatigued or nodding off at the wheel. However, you may have noticed that driver having trouble staying in his or her own lane of traffic. You may even see the other driver yawning when he or she gets out of the car after the crash. Despite it being obvious the other driver is tired, he or she may lie about it.

Some of the other things drivers may lie about include:

Tailgating/following you too closely before the crash
Running a stop sign
Running a red light
Mechanical issues in the vehicle that helped contribute to the crash, such as a recalled part

How Do You Prove Your Account of the Crash?

There is no need to confront the other driver about his or her lies. You do not want to get into a shouting match or physical confrontation with the other driver. The important thing is to present your side of the story and hire an attorney to take on the insurance company on your behalf.

Tell the Police Officer What Happened

When the police arrive at the scene, you can explain what you remember about the crash and the officer will note your statement in the police report. The report may also include the officer’s thoughts on fault for the crash. If the at-fault driver lies to the officer, he or she may be able to spot the lie. Police officers deal with drivers and others who give untrue statements on a regular basis, so they are skilled at spotting lies.

If you think the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there is a good chance the officer will figure it out. Driving drunk is illegal and carries severe penalties, so if the officer thinks the other driver may be drunk, the officer may conduct a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test.

Correct Errors on the Police Report

When you or your lawyer obtain a copy of the police report, it is important to make sure the information on it is correct. If there are errors, talk to your lawyer about getting them corrected as quickly as possible. Sometimes correcting an error is as simple as talking to the officer on the phone. However, if it is more complicated, you may need an experienced lawyer to help you get the error removed.

Gather Witness Statements

If there are witnesses to the crash and their statements back up your account of the crash, it is much less likely the at-fault driver’s lies will hold up under scrutiny.

The responding police officer will talk to witnesses. You can also get their contact information and give it to your attorney so he or she can contact them later.

Taking Pictures at the Scene

If you are physically able to do so, you can take pictures of visible injuries and damage to your vehicle. You can also photograph the location of the crash (road signs, landmarks, etc.) and debris or damage to the road (skid marks, broken glass, vehicle parts, etc.).

Staying Consistent

Your actions after the crash can help bolster your credibility. If you are more credible than the other driver, it will be harder for his or her lies to hold up over time. Drivers who lie about a traffic crash will have difficulty remembering what they said and making consistent statements about what happened.

If you want to ensure consistent statements, it is best to stick to the truth and limit what you say about the crash. Tell the responding officer what happened but avoid talking to the insurance company, or at least limit what you say to the insurance company.

Insurance companies know how to trick victims into saying things that could hurt their claims. Insurers may also want to keep you talking. The longer you talk with them, the more likely it is you will say something that you might contradict later.

It is generally best to let your attorney deal with the insurance company. At TSR, we know how to do this because we have been doing it for decades. We know how to build strong cases, as you can see from our proven history of success. We have secured $1 billion in compensation for our clients.

Give Us a Call. We Are Ready to Help

Insurance companies are ready to fight hard to avoid paying full compensation for damages suffered by car crash victims. You need an experienced advocate who has the resources and legal knowledge to fight just as hard for your interests.

TSR Injury Law works on contingency, which means the initial consultation is free. There are no upfront fees to pay before we take your case. Our attorneys do not get paid unless you get paid.

Call today to discuss how we can help: (612) TSR-TIME.

TSR Sponsors 2022 Minnesota Walk Like MADD Fundraising Event

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on September 22, 2022 in Firm News
Updated on December 28, 2022

TSR Injury Law was the 2022 Regional Title Sponsor of Minnesota Walk Like MADD, which is MADD Minnesota’s main fundraising event. The walk supports the MADD Minnesota goal of increasing awareness of impaired driving and ending it.

This year’s walk took place last Saturday at 10 a.m. at Clifton E. French Regional Park in Plymouth, MN.

Our firm raised over $2,000. In total, the event raised $77,091 as of September 22. According to the event website, there were more than 200 fundraisers and 20 fundraising teams.

TSR has been a proud partner and participant in Walk Like MADD for over a decade. While MADD’s mission is to eliminate drunk and impaired driving, TSR’s mission is to hold these bad drivers accountable. Together we hope to make all Minnesotans safer on the roads.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the walk!

What is in a Settlement Demand Letter to the Insurance Company?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on September 16, 2022 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 8, 2022

While there are personal injury cases that end up in court, most reach a resolution after the victim and the liable insurance company agree on a settlement. Sometimes victims deal with the insurance company themselves, but if you hire an attorney, he or she is going to send a settlement demand letter to the insurance company.

The settlement demand requests that the insurance company provide compensation for the victim’s damages. Below, we discuss these letters in greater detail, along with the benefits of having an experienced attorney negotiating for the compensation you need.

If you have questions about the legal process or are unsure if you have a case, give us a call today. We are ready to help you during this difficult time, and we do not charge upfront fees.

TSR Injury Law. Experienced attorneys ready to assist you. (612) TSR-TIME

What Does a Demand Letter Include?

While the details of each demand letter are different, they all have certain elements. For example, the demand letter will identify all the parties involved in the claim, including the insurance company, the victim, and the at-fault party. If an insurance adjuster has been assigned to the case, this person’s name and contact information will also be included.

These details need to be included so the other parties besides the victim are notified of the claim and can respond.

Other elements of a demand letter include:

Description of the Incident That Caused Your Injuries

This is one of the most important parts of the demand letter. This section explains what happened, how and why you got injured and why the other party should be held liable for the damages you suffered.

The description of the incident often includes medical records, the police report and statements from those who witnessed the crash. The demand letter may also include pictures of your injuries and pictures from the scene of the crash.

The information in this portion of the letter needs to be descriptive and factual.

Summary of Your Damages

The demand letter also lists the damages you suffered in the crash and explains how the crash has affected you.

Damages may include:

The cost of medical initial basic treatment
Cost of surgery or medical testing
Cost of all future medical care that will be needed
Emotional distress from being severely injured
Past and future pain and suffering documentation

Prescription medication past and future costs
Past and future lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage
Any other related damages you can document

Your attorney will include documentation to support your damages, including receipts and bills detailing your expenses. Non-economic damages will need to be explained in detail because there are no bills or receipts for these damages.

Your attorney may need you to keep a journal in which you explain the psychological damage caused by your injuries. For example, victims may explain the trauma of not being able to take part in the activities they once enjoyed. They may also describe how their injuries have damaged their relationship with their spouse. Other details in the journal may help to explain how the pain and limitations caused by the injury affect the victim each day.

Compensation Demand

The demand letter tells the insurance company how much compensation is being sought and what will happen if the demands are not met. The letters often say the victim intends to file a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to meet the demand.

What Demand Letters Do Not Include

While there are many elements of a demand letter, there are certain things that should not be included in these documents. For example, you do not want the letter to make an unreasonable demand for compensation.

You also do not want the letter to have an extremely detailed description of the crash because it could be challenged. For example, you do not want to have statements that contradict the police report.

Other items that should not be included in your demand letter are any statements that could be perceived as admissions of fault.

Writing a detailed demand letter is complicated. However, this is just one reason why you should hire an experienced Bloomington car accident attorney to manage your claim. The attorneys at TSR Injury Law have obtained compensation from many insurance companies and we know how to draft an effective demand letter.

We are also experienced negotiators, so we know how to determine the compensation demand that is appropriate for a claim. You do not want to start too low or too high. Often, the insurance company responds to this with a counteroffer that is much lower than your original demand. Typically, insurers and the attorney for the victim go back and forth until they reach agreement on a settlement.

There is a strategy to negotiating for compensation and this is something that victims should leave up to an attorney with a proven track record.

TSR is Here to Assist Injured Victims. Call to Learn More

If you were injured by another’s negligence, you need an experienced law firm to help you seek justice and compensation. You should not decide about a settlement offer until you speak with an attorney.

TSR Injury Law has been taking on insurance companies for decades, and we have obtained hundreds of millions for our clients. We have the resources and experience to build a strong case. We also work on contingency, which means you do not pay us up front.

No upfront fees. No fees while working on your case. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

What Do You Do if an Attorney Says You Do Not Have a Case?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on September 7, 2022 in Personal Injury
Updated on December 8, 2022

One of the last things an injury victim wants to hear an attorney say is that there is no case. Injury victims need compensation for medical expenses and other damages. If an attorney tells them they do not have a case, they may think they cannot pursue the compensation they need.

However, sometimes attorneys are wrong in their assessment of the merits of a claim. That is why it is vital for injury victims to know what their options may be if an attorney says there is no case.

If you were injured in an accident or you have met with an attorney who decided not to take your case, TSR Injury Law may be able to help. Give us a call today to learn more. We have been helping injury victims for decades and have obtained millions on behalf of our clients.

Why Do Attorneys Decide Not to Take Cases?

There are many reasons why an attorney may decide not to take a case. Regardless of the reason, it is important to know you may still have a valid case even if an attorney decides not to represent you.

Lack of Experience

Sometimes an attorney refuses to take a case because he or she does not have much experience with similar cases. For example, an attorney may not want to take a case if he or she rarely handles personal injury cases.

Typically, attorneys do not want to take cases unless they feel confident that they can win them. If they do not have much experience with a case like yours, they are less likely to feel confident they can win the case.

However, if an attorney refuses to take your case for this reason, he or she may refer you to another attorney who is more qualified to handle cases like yours.

It is important to seek out a Bloomington personal injury attorney if you have a personal injury case. This is true no matter how successful an attorney may be with other types of cases. An attorney will not be able to provide the same level of representation for a personal injury case if he or she has never worked on an injury case before. For example, bankruptcy or divorce cases are quite different from personal injury cases.

The Case is Not Winnable

An attorney is unlikely to take a case if he or she thinks it is unwinnable. Attorneys invest a lot of time and resources into a case, and that will all be wasted if he or she loses.

TSR, like most personal injury firms, takes cases on contingency, which means no upfront fees for the client. Instead, the firm takes care of those costs. If they win the case, a portion of the compensation is used to pay for the attorney fees and other costs.

There are various reasons why an attorney may think your case is not winnable. For example, he or she may not think another party is at fault for your injuries. Sometimes a firm may simply not have the resources or finances to pursue your case. In other situations, a case may be too small for a firm to agree to take on. Even though you suffered damages, they may be minimal. If you also bear a significant amount of fault for the accident, it limits the amount of compensation you can recover.

The Statute of Limitations Has Passed

If the statute of limitations for your case has passed, you will not be able to file a lawsuit. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after that deadline has passed, the opposing party will file a motion to have your case dismissed.

Sometimes an attorney may decide not to take a case because the statute of limitations is too close. Many attorneys may not take a case that is only weeks or months away from that deadline, because there is not enough time to investigate and gather evidence.

What Should You Do if an Attorney Rejects Your Case?

Even if one attorney rejects your case, another may want to take it on. That is why many injury victims talk to multiple attorneys about their cases.

Sometimes one attorney’s assessment of a case is vastly different from another attorney’s assessment of a case. This could be because one attorney has different experience than another. While one attorney may reject your case, another may want to take it on because he or she has worked on cases like yours before and had success.

Occasionally, attorneys may be able to request an extension of the statute of limitations on a case. If one attorney says the statute of limitations is too close, another may still be able to help you.

One attorney may say your injuries are not that serious, but that may be because he or she has not worked on a case involving the types of injuries you have suffered. Another attorney may recognize how significant your injuries are and the damages that may result.

Contact TSR Injury Law for Legal Assistance

Are you searching for an attorney after getting injured in an accident?

Our attorneys have vast experience with personal injury cases and have secured millions in compensation to help our clients move forward after an injury.

Schedule your free consultation today to learn more. We do not charge upfront fees for our services.

Can Dash Cam Footage Help Resolve Liability Disputes in a Car Crash Claim?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on September 2, 2022 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 8, 2022

At-fault drivers and their insurance companies often dispute liability for a crash. When these disputes come up, the victim’s lawyer may need additional evidence to help prove the claim. For example, footage from a dashboard camera in one of the vehicles involved in the crash, or the vehicle of an eyewitness, may be useful.

We discuss how dash camera footage may help validate a car crash claim, and why victims may need a lawyer to obtain the footage.

If you were injured in a car crash, you should strongly consider contacting an experienced attorney to help you seek the compensation you need. There is no telling what challenges may come up during a car crash claim and you would greatly benefit from the help of a licensed attorney.

For decades, TSR Injury Law has been recovering compensation for injury victims in Minnesota in a wide variety of cases. Our Bloomington-based vehicle accident lawyers are prepared to handle each aspect of the case at no upfront cost to you. We know how to gather the evidence we need and are prepared to go to trial to secure full compensation.

Does Minnesota Allow Drivers to Install Dash Cams in Their Cars?

Yes, you are allowed to install a dashboard camera in your vehicle, provided it is immediately behind, slightly above or slightly below your rearview mirror. You are prohibited from mounting the dash cam on your dashboard because this could obstruct your view of the road.

If you have a dash cam in your car and it records the crash, the footage is yours to use. However, if the footage is from a dash cam in the other driver’s vehicle, or the vehicle of an eyewitness, your lawyer may need to go through a formal process to obtain it. That is, unless the other driver decides to provide it. A witness may do that, but the at-fault driver is unlikely to simply hand it over.

What Might Dash Camera Footage Reveal?

The footage may show the other driver breaking traffic laws, such as:

Running through a red light
Running through a stop sign
Hitting the brakes without a good reason
Weaving around other cars

Failing to maintain a lane
Driving the wrong way
Driving with headlights off
Driving without working taillights

The dash cam may also capture incriminating evidence in the moments after the crash. For example, maybe the other drive was stumbling around looking like he or she was drunk or under the influence of drugs. If the dash cam captured audio, it might pick up the other driver apologizing or admitting fault for what happened.

This information along with your account of the crash, the police report, crash scene photos could go a long way in helping your lawyer validate your claim.

Dash cam footage could be especially important if the other driver lies about what happened or the insurance company disputes liability. While insurance companies may feel confident about disputing things you said about a crash or the police report, it is hard to dispute video footage. This could be especially true if your case makes it to trial.

Often, dash camera footage is admissible in a court of law, so if your case goes to court the footage could help prove your case to a judge or jury.

How Insurers May Fight Against Dash Camera Footage

If the dashboard camera was installed in a way that violates state law, the insurance company may say the footage cannot be considered. If the case goes to court, the insurance company may argue it should be inadmissible.

That is why it is important to ensure you install the dash camera correctly in your vehicle. Of course, you cannot control how another driver installs his or her dash cam. Even if the other driver had the device installed incorrectly, the footage may still help prove your case.

If the camera was correctly installed, the insurance company may still claim you altered the footage or say the footage shows you are at fault for the crash and not the other driver.

These are all reasons why you should hire an attorney to help you pursue compensation. The attorneys at TSR Injury Law have helped many crash victims secure compensation and we have dealt with many insurance companies. We know the tactics insurance companies employ to deny or devalue claims.

Not only do our attorneys know how to obtain dash cam footage, but we can also fight back against the insurance company’s attempts to exclude dash camera footage from your claim.

Give Us a Call to Discuss Your Claim

There is no risk in calling our firm to discuss how we may be able to help. The initial consultation with a licensed attorney is also free. If we validate your claim and you hire our firm, there are no upfront costs while we work on your case.

Decades of Experience. No Upfront Fees. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

Month: September 2022