Frequently Asked Questions

In Minnesota, most personal injury claimants have at least six years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, the deadline to bring a lawsuit may be shorter or longer than six years. If that deadline is missed, the right to seek compensation is almost certainly lost—no matter how strong your case may be.

There are exceptions worth knowing: if the injured person is a minor, the clock doesn’t start until they turn 18; claims against a government entity require a notice of claim within 180 days of the injury; and in some cases involving delayed discovery of an injury, the timeline may be adjusted. There are also shorter timelines for Dramshop cases (claims for illegal sale of alcohol against a bar) and for some slip or trip and fall cases. When in doubt, contact TSR Injury Law as early as possible to make sure your claim is protected.

A valid personal injury claim generally requires that someone else’s negligence caused your injury and that you suffered real damages as a result. If you were hurt in a car crash, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or any other incident where another party failed to act with reasonable care, you may have grounds to pursue compensation. That said, every case has its own unique facts, and what seems straightforward can involve legal nuances around fault and damages that aren’t always obvious to someone without legal training. Examples include: prior injuries effect on case value, tort thresholds that must be met to be eligible for compensation in car crashes, open and obvious defenses for slip and falls or accusations of provocation in dog bite cases.

The best way to know for certain is to contact TSR Injury Law. At TSR, we offer free case reviews with no obligation, so there’s zero risk in getting a professional opinion on where you stand.

You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company, and in most cases it is not in your best interest to do so. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can minimize your claim or shift blame onto you.

It’s perfectly reasonable to tell them you are consulting with an attorney before making any statements. Your own insurer may require timely notice of the incident under your policy terms, but even then, keeping your account brief and factual is recommended.

If hired, TSR attorneys will handle all communications with the insurance companies for you so you can focus on your recovery.

Minnesota personal injury victims may be eligible to recover economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress. In rare cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages are also sometimes available. The specific compensation available depends entirely on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how those injuries have impacted your life. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about what types of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

There is no universal answer to this question. Every case is different and the value of a claim depends on factors unique to your situation. The only way to get a realistic sense of what your case may be worth is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. TSR offers free case reviews with no obligation, so you can get a professional assessment without any upfront commitment. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about what types of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Economic damages are the quantifiable financial losses caused by an injury. This includes things like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover the harder-to-measure human costs, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Both types of damages may be available in a Minnesota personal injury claim. Together they represent the full picture of how an injury affects a person’s life. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about type of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the incident. In these particular situations, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you’ve been found 20 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20 percent. Importantly, if you’re found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you are then barred from recovering anything at all. This is sometimes described as the “51 percent bar rule.” Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about type of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

There is no universal answer to this question. Every case is different and the value of a claim depends on factors unique to your situation. The only way to get a realistic sense of what your case may be worth is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. TSR offers free case reviews with no obligation, so you can get a professional assessment without any upfront commitment. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about what types of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Economic damages are the quantifiable financial losses caused by an injury. This includes things like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover the harder-to-measure human costs, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Both types of damages may be available in a Minnesota personal injury claim. Together they represent the full picture of how an injury affects a person’s life. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about type of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the incident. In these particular situations, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you’ve been found 20 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20 percent. Importantly, if you’re found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you are then barred from recovering anything at all. This is sometimes described as the “51 percent bar rule.” Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about type of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Personal injury cases in Minnesota involve a wide range of injuries, but some of the most common include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord and back injuries, broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and injuries resulting in scarring or disfigurement. The severity can range from injuries that heal within weeks to those that result in permanent disability or chronic pain.

No matter the type or severity of your injury, if it was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s worth discussing with an attorney. Contact TSR to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about type of damages are available and fair compensation if you or a loved one are injured.

Several Minnesota-specific laws can shape the outcome of your personal injury claim.

The state’s modified comparative fault rule can reduce or eliminate your recovery depending on your share of fault. Minnesota is also a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning your own insurance covers certain medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident regardless of who caused it, though there are thresholds that must be met before you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. The statute of limitations sets a firm deadline on when you must file a claim or it will be barred, and special rules apply if your claim involves a government entity, death claim or those involving bars.

These laws are layered and unforgiving, which is why speaking with a TSR attorney as early as possible can make a real difference in protecting your claim.

Insurance companies are businesses and their priority is minimizing payouts. The less they pay you, the more profit they keep as a business. That’s a simple and undeniable fact.

After an incident, you can expect to be contacted quickly by an adjuster who may seem helpful, but is ultimately working to protect the insurer’s bottom line. They may request a recorded statement, make an early settlement offer, or ask for access to your medical records. None of these should be agreed to without consulting an attorney first. Early settlement offers in particular are often far below what a claim is actually worth and accepting one typically means signing away your right to pursue further compensation. Contact TSR today to make sure an insurance company is not trying to take advantage of you after an injury.

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, call the police immediately and stay at the scene. Note as many details as you can about the fleeing vehicle, including make, model, color, distinguishing features, and any portion of the license plate. Gather contact information from any witnesses and take photographs of your vehicle, the scene, and any visible injuries. Seek medical attention promptly, even if you feel fine, so that you have a medical record linked to your experience.

When it comes to compensation, your own uninsured motorist coverage is typically what you would rely on in a hit-and-run situation, which makes it important to notify your own insurer and to speak with an attorney before making any formal statements. Call TSR today to discuss how to protect yourself if you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident.

After a car accident, exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information with all other drivers involved. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well. Take photographs of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries before anything is moved, too.

One important piece of advice is to avoid discussing fault at the scene, even casually, as offhand comments can complicate your claim later. Contact a TSR attorney right away to review the specifics regarding your car accident. If hired, TSR attorneys will handle all the communication with the insurance companies for you so you can focus on your recovery.

In Minnesota, drivers who are backing a vehicle have a legal duty to yield to other traffic and ensure it is safe to do so before moving. When a collision involves a backing vehicle, fault often falls on the reversing driver. However, if the other driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise contributed to the collision, comparative fault principles may apply and responsibility could be shared. Call TSR Injury Law today even if you were the reversing driver to ensure you are protected and fault is properly assigned.

Unfortunately, it happens. If the other driver is misrepresenting what occurred, the strength of your case will come down to evidence. Photographs, witness statements, police reports, traffic cameras, medical reports, and accident reconstruction can all help establish what actually happened. Document everything you can and let the evidence speak for itself.

This is exactly the kind of situation where hiring TSR Injury Law makes all the difference. TSR’s team knows how to build a case and counter false narratives with facts. If you believe you’re being lied about, call TSR before the trail goes cold.

Settlement negotiations typically begin after your attorney has gathered evidence, documented your damages, and developed a clear picture of what your claim is worth. A formal demand is sent to the insurance company, and negotiations proceed from there. Insurers often start low. A skilled attorney knows how to counter those tactics and push for a fair result. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, TSR is prepared to take your case to trial.

Most personal injury cases follow a similar path: seeking medical care, consulting an attorney, investigating the incident, establishing liability, and calculating damages. Once that groundwork is done, your attorney will send a demand to the insurance company and begin negotiations. Many cases settle at this stage. If a fair agreement can’t be reached, your attorney may file a lawsuit and the case moves toward discovery, mediation, and potentially trial. TSR handles every step and keeps you informed throughout.

In Minnesota, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is six years from the date of injury. If you miss that deadline, the right to seek compensation is almost certainly gone, no matter how strong your case may be. Shorter timelines apply in certain situations, including claims against government entities and some premises liability claims. If the injured person is a minor, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18. When in doubt, contact TSR as early as possible to make sure your claim is protected.

As soon as possible. Evidence can disappear quickly. Witness memories fade. Plus, insurance companies always move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you have an experienced attorney in your corner, the better positioned you are to protect your claim. TSR offers free case reviews with no obligation, so there’s no reason to wait. TSR also charges the same percentage no matter how long we work on a case, so there’s no reason to delay in getting legal help.

This is a different question from how long you have to file. The statute of limitations sets the legal deadline to bring a claim, but how long a case actually takes is shaped by other factors entirely. The severity of your injuries, how long your recovery takes, what treatment looks like, whether liability is disputed, the amount of insurance available and whether the case settles or goes to trial all affect the timeline.

Some cases resolve in a matter of months. Others take longer. Oftentimes, the biggest mistake people make is settling their claim too early before the full impact and future implications of an injury are known. Once you settle your claim, if you need more medical treatment or have other expenses related to your injury in the future, those cannot be recovered if the case is already settled. TSR makes sure the full impact of your injuries are known and included in any compensation before settling a claim. TSR keeps clients informed at every stage no matter what.

A few questions are worth asking in any initial consultation:

• How long have you been handling personal injury cases?
• Have you handled cases like mine before? Do you specialize in injury cases?
• Will you personally be working on my case, or will it be passed to someone else?
• How do you charge for services, and what does that look like if we win?
• How will you keep me updated?
• How often does your firm try cases and how does that affect settlements?

The answers will tell you a lot about whether a firm is the right fit. TSR has been exclusively handling personal injury cases for over 26 years, has its lawyers working directly with clients, only gets paid if you get a recovery, will keep you updated every step of the way, and has an elite team of trial lawyers to ensure you get the best result possible. At TSR, the consultation is free and there’s no pressure to commit.

Yes. TSR has recovered over $1 billion for injured Minnesotans over more than 26 years, including multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against large insurers and corporations. Our attorneys are recognized as the most powerful and influential attorneys in the State, and we have the resources to build and litigate complex cases. Insurance companies know TSR’s legal capabilities and resources allow us to go the distance and get the best results for our clients. That matters at the negotiating table.

At TSR, keeping clients informed is always a priority. Each client gets a team working on their case. Attorneys readily provide their cell phone number to clients so there is never a lack of access to your attorney. You should never feel like you’re in the dark about your own case. If you have questions, our team is available to answer them. Call (612) TSR-TIME to speak with someone today.

It matters a great deal. Insurance companies track which law firms are willing to go to trial and which ones routinely settle. If an insurer believes your attorney will not take a case to court, they have little incentive to offer fair compensation. The risk, from their perspective, stops at the negotiating table.

TSR prepares every case as if it will go to trial. That reputation puts real pressure on insurers and often produces better offers faster.

Get medical attention right away, even if you think the initial injuries will quickly get better. Report the crash to police and request a copy of the report. Gather contact and insurance information from all drivers involved, take photographs of the vehicles and the scene, and avoid discussing fault with anyone. Then contact TSR before speaking with any insurance company. The sooner you call TSR, the faster we can take over and communicate with the insurance companies and protect your claim.

Every case is different. In addition to medical bills and wage loss you are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. This can include the pain you feel, the inability to experience the things you once enjoyed like hobbies and vacations, the ability to show up for your family in the same way, the stress of having an injury and managing medical appointments, and much more. The only way to get a realistic sense of what your claim may be worth is to speak with an experienced attorney. To get started, TSR offers free case reviews with no obligation.

When you hire TSR, you get a full legal team working on your behalf: attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants, and investigators who take your case seriously from day one. TSR handles all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial, which puts real pressure on insurers to make fair offers. You can expect that TSR will get your medical bills paid, lost wages reimbursed, and put the legal claim in the best possible position for a positive result. TSR will also litigate the case if the insurance company does not treat you fairly. We will treat you like family and make sure you can get healthy and are fairly compensated. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we win. It’s that easy.

In most personal injury cases, the answer is no. According to the IRS, compensation received on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness is generally excluded from gross income. This includes damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages when those losses stem from a physical injury. Punitive damages are an exception and are taxable. Tax situations vary, so it’s worth consulting a tax professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Insurance companies may request access to medical records. They are entitled to your relevant medical history. What they are not entitled to is a broad sweep of your entire medical history and other unrelated documents. Giving them more than they are entitled to can hurt your claim. TSR manages all document requests with insurers on behalf of clients, making sure insurance companies cannot go on a fishing expedition to try to find reasons to not compensate you fairly.

Yes. Lost wages are economic damages and are recoverable in a personal injury claim, including future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long term. Documentation matters: pay stubs, employer records, and tax returns all help establish what you are owed. Initial wage loss may be paid by your no fault insurance (85% of your weekly wage up to $500.00 a week) and anything above the statutory maximum or amounts of wage loss incurred in excess of your own insurance coverage will be compensated by the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

No. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer and doing so is rarely in your interest. Tell them you’re consulting with an attorney and leave it at that.

Minnesota is a No-Fault insurance state, which means that after a car accident, your own insurance covers certain medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage is also called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.

No-Fault exists to get people and medical providers paid quickly without waiting for fault to be determined. That said, there are thresholds that must be met before you can step outside the No-Fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver. An attorney can help you understand where those thresholds apply to your situation.

There’s no precise formula, which makes calculating pain and suffering difficult. Pain and suffering is meant to capture the full human cost of an injury: not just physical pain, but time and opportunity lost as well.

Insurance companies tend to ignore or undervalue these losses unless they’re forced to reckon with them. In order to ensure that pain and suffering is properly calculated and compensated your attorney needs to take the time to get to know you and what you’ve been through as a result of your injuries. TSR takes the time to make sure those damages are properly presented and are taken seriously at the negotiating table.

This is called subrogation. If your health insurer paid for treatment related to your injury, they may have the right to be reimbursed from your settlement once you recover compensation from the at-fault party. The rules vary depending on your type of coverage and can significantly affect how much you actually receive in a settlement. It’s something to talk to your attorney about early in the process. TSR attorneys are well versed in every type of health subrogation plan and will advocate for you and negotiate with your health insurer to make sure you are able to maximize your recovery.

Once No-Fault benefits are exhausted, the right path depends on the specifics of your case. You may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if you meet Minnesota’s tort thresholds. Once your medical No Fault benefits run out, your health insurer will start paying your bills. If you have a deductible or co-pays, those will apply. If your health insurer pays bills related to the accident, your attorney will claim those bills in your case. You may have to reimburse health insurance out of your settlement, but your TSR attorney will negotiate with the health insurer on your behalf to maximize your recovery. Contact TSR before bills start going unpaid and we’ll help you figure it all out.

Not if TSR is representing you. We handle all communication with insurers on your behalf so you don’t have to. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims and anything you say to them can be used against you. You focus on your recovery, and let us deal with the insurance companies for you.

Yes. As a passenger, you are generally not at fault for a crash, which puts you in a strong position to pursue compensation. If the driver of the vehicle you were in caused or contributed to the accident, you can bring a claim against them just as you could against any other at-fault driver. The fact you know the driver personally does not change your legal rights. In most cases the claim is made against their insurance policy, not asking them to pay compensation out of pocket. Another issue as a passenger is when both driver’s insurance companies blame each other. As a passenger, you are not at fault, but TSR will help determine which driver actually is at fault so your claim can be concluded.

Yes. Under Minnesota law, the fact that you were not wearing a seatbelt cannot be used as evidence against you in a personal injury case. It cannot be introduced to reduce your damages or shift blame onto you. If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, your right to recover compensation remains intact regardless of whether you were buckled up.

Absolutely. TSR works with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, life-care planners, and economic experts if and when a case calls for it. Complex cases demand more than legal skill alone and TSR has the resources to hire every expert your case deserves. TSR has the knowledge and expertise to know who the best experts are and how they can be utilized to best prosecute your case. Information from decades of litigating cases will be used to win your case.

Police reports are not admissible in Court, but if they are inaccurate, the insurance companies will try to use it against you. When fault is disputed or unclear, TSR investigates independently. That means gathering witness statements, requesting traffic camera or dashcam footage, analyzing physical evidence from the scene, and hiring accident reconstruction specialists when needed. TSR has won cases where initial reports pointed in the wrong direction. One client received a $1 million settlement after TSR’s independent reconstruction specialist contradicted the original accident report and confirmed the client was not at fault.

It’s uncommon, but not impossible. Rear-end collisions are frequently the fault of the following driver, but if you did something like stop suddenly without reason or reverse into traffic, some portion of fault could be assigned to you. Minnesota’s modified comparative fault rule means that shared fault reduces your recovery proportionally, and being found 51 percent or more at fault bars recovery entirely, no matter how injured you are. If you were rear-ended and liability is being disputed, talk to TSR.

Potentially yes, but these cases are more complex than a standard car accident claim. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance policies that may apply depending on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger at the time of the crash. Investigation into whether the driver was logged into the application and for what purpose can also change coverages. Autonomous vehicle cases raise additional questions around product liability and manufacturer responsibility that are still developing in the context of the law. If you were injured involving a rideshare or autonomous vehicle, the right attorney can identify every potential avenue for recovery. Contact TSR for a free case review.

Most modern vehicles contain an event data recorder (EDR), commonly called a black box, which captures data in the moments before and during a crash. Data can include: vehicle speed, braking, steering input, and seatbelt use. This data can be powerful evidence when fault is disputed. Oftentimes, qualified experts are needed to download and interpret the data. Time is of the essence in recovering black box data. Many vehicles are programmed to override data after a certain number of ignition cycles. Vehicles can also be totaled or sold making it impossible to download the black box data later. TSR knows how to obtain and preserve this data before it gets lost or overwritten. Call TSR right away so our investigators can secure the black box data and prove how the crash really happened.

If you were injured in Minnesota, TSR can represent you regardless of where you live. If you live in Minnesota and were injured in another state, TSR may be able to represent you. TSR is a Minnesota personal injury firm and handles cases governed by Minnesota law. However, TSR often works with out of state law firms to represent injured Minnesotans. TSR will give a free consultation and can determine if we can help or we may be able to refer you to another firm that specializes in a different state.

Getting injured while driving for work opens two potential avenues for recovery, and navigating both correctly matters.

Workers’ compensation may cover your medical expenses and a portion of lost wages as a workplace injury. But workers’ comp alone often doesn’t capture the full picture of what you’ve lost. If a third party, meaning another driver, caused the crash, you may also have a personal injury claim against them also. Pursuing both is possible, but the two systems interact in ways that can affect your overall recovery.

Getting the right legal guidance early is critical. TSR can help you understand how both avenues apply to your situation and make sure you’re not leaving compensation on the table by only pursuing one path.

Start with your own auto insurance. Minnesota’s No-Fault PIP coverage includes wage loss benefits for time missed from work due to crash-related injuries. If your losses exceed what your policy covers, you may be able to recover additional lost wages through a claim against the at-fault driver. Documentation is key in either case:

• Pay stubs and employer records showing your normal wages
• Medical records confirming you were unable to work
• A written statement from your employer if your schedule or position was affected
• Tax returns if self-employed

TSR helps clients document and pursue every dollar of wage loss they are owed from the insurance companies.

These are separate programs that may both be relevant after a crash-related injury.

Short-term disability is private insurance, typically provided through an employer, that replaces a portion of your income when you cannot work due to illness or injury. Coverage, amounts, and waiting periods vary by policy.

Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program launched January 1, 2026. It provides partial wage replacement and job protections for workers who need time away from work for their own serious health condition, among other qualifying reasons. Most Minnesota workers are covered regardless of employer size or hours worked, and benefits can last up to 12 weeks per benefit year for medical leave, or up to 20 weeks if both medical and family leave are needed in the same year. Payments from workers’ compensation can reduce what you receive from Minnesota’s Paid Leave.

Both paid leave and short-term policies may require reimbursement from injury settlements. This is called subrogation. TSR will review all policies and make sure the subrogation laws are followed while maximizing your recovery.

If a crash left you unable to work, TSR can help make sure every available source of income replacement is identified and pursued.

Your right to compensation doesn’t change because you know the operator. A claim is typically made against the boat owner’s insurance, which may be a standalone boat policy, a homeowner’s policy, or an umbrella policy, not against the person directly. Don’t let your relationship with the boat operator stop you from protecting yourself. TSR handles these situations with discretion and can help you understand your options without making things harder than they need to be.

Fault in a boat crash depends on the specific facts of what happened on the water. Operator negligence is the most common cause, including speeding, inattention, alcohol use, or inexperience. But liability can extend beyond the operator. A boat owner who lends their vessel to someone they know to be unqualified may share responsibility. A manufacturer whose defective equipment contributed to the crash can also be held liable.

TSR attorneys are very knowledgeable about how the law operates on the water and we work with accident reconstructionists and investigators to piece together exactly what happened and identify every party responsible. Minnesota’s comparative fault rules apply on the water just as they do on the road, meaning shared fault reduces recovery proportionally, and being more than 50 percent at fault bars recovery entirely.

Possibly. Unlike car drivers in Minnesota, motorcyclists are not covered by the no-fault PIP system. The lack of your own insurance doesn’t necessarily eliminate your right to pursue a claim against an at-fault driver. What it does affect is your access to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which requires you to carry a policy of your own. If you were hit by someone else, their liability insurance may still be available to you. Talk to TSR to understand your options.

Yes. Laying down your motorcycle to avoid a collision caused by another driver’s negligence is still a compensable injury. The fact that there wasn’t direct contact does not eliminate the at-fault driver’s responsibility. These cases require solid evidence to establish what the other driver did and why you were forced to react the way you did. Insurance companies often blame the motorcycle driver when there is no direct contact. They argue you “overreacted” and were “not paying attention” which caused the crash. TSR investigates these claims thoroughly and gathers everything needed to support your claim: witness statements, traffic footage, physical evidence from the scene, black box data and accident reconstruction.

Minnesota law only requires helmets for riders under 18 or those operating on a permit. If you are an adult with a full endorsement, you were not breaking the law by riding without one. That said, the insurance company may argue your injuries are worse because you weren’t wearing a helmet and try to use that to reduce your compensation. TSR knows this tactic and knows how to fight against it.

As of July 1, 2025, lane splitting and lane filtering are legal in Minnesota under specific conditions: no faster than 25 mph, no more than 15 mph over the speed of surrounding traffic, and not in school zones, work zones, or roundabouts. If you were riding within those legal limits and another driver hit you, you likely have a claim. A driver does not get a free pass to change lanes without looking just because a motorcycle is nearby.

If you were outside the legal limits when the crash happened, Minnesota’s comparative fault rules apply. Some fault may be assigned to you, but that does not automatically bar recovery unless you are found more than 50 percent responsible. These cases are fact-specific. Call TSR and we’ll help you figure it all out.

Yes. In many cases the trucking company itself shares liability, not just the driver. Companies can be held responsible for things like negligent hiring, inadequate training, unrealistic dispatch schedules that push drivers past legal hours-of-service limits, failure to maintain vehicles, and more. TSR investigates every angle to make sure all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.

Yes, absolutely. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and when one hits a passenger vehicle, the results are almost always catastrophic.

Trucking is governed by both Minnesota law and federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Drivers are subject to strict hours-of-service rules limiting how long they can be behind the wheel, and are required to log their time electronically. They must pass drug and alcohol testing. Their vehicles must meet federal maintenance and inspection standards. Commercial carriers are required to carry higher insurance limits than personal vehicles.

When those rules governing commercial trucking are broken and someone gets hurt, the evidence trail matters enormously. Logbooks, inspection records, electronic data, and driver histories can all be critical. That evidence can disappear fast, but TSR moves faster to preserve it.

Liability in these cases can extend far beyond the driver. TSR recovered $4 million for a client who suffered a dominant arm injury in a crash with a semi-truck and $3 million for a client rear-ended by a semi on I-94. These outcomes required building cases that didn’t stop at the driver but went further to the company employing them and beyond.

If your injuries are catastrophic, the compensation you need must account for the rest of your life, not just your current medical bills. TSR has the resources and experience to pursue the full scope of what you are owed.

Catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or injuries resulting in permanent disability, demand a level of legal representation that matches the stakes. Compensation for injuries like these has to account not just for what you have already lost, but for the impact into the future such as: future medical care, lost earning capacity, ongoing pain, and the ways your injury has permanently altered who you are.

TSR has consistently recovered multi-million dollar settlements and trial verdicts for catastrophically injured Minnesotans. If your injuries are severe, the sooner you have an experienced attorney evaluating your case, the better protected you’ll be.

Lost future earning capacity is a recoverable damage in a personal injury claim. If your injuries have permanently affected your ability to work and the amount of income you can earn, that loss needs to be fully documented and aggressively pursued. Call TSR to discuss what that looks like for your situation.

Losing someone to a preventable crash is devastating. On top of your grief, the legal process that follows can be overwhelming. In Minnesota, wrongful death claims are brought by a court-appointed trustee on behalf of the family. TSR will work with you and your family to choose a trustee and get them appointed by the court to pursue a claim. Recoverable damages can include medical expenses before death, funeral costs, lost income, lost earnings, the pain and suffering your loved one endured before their death, and beyond.

Minnesota wrongful death claims generally must be filed within three years of the date of death, though some circumstances can affect that timeline. TSR has represented Minnesota families in wrongful death cases for over 26 years. TSR believes in compassionate representation of you and your family and we make a commitment to be there for you. At the same time we will aggressively pursue the at-fault driver to ensure there is accountability. The consultation is free and you pay nothing unless we win. You should never have to fight insurance companies while grieving.

Possibly. Landlords have a legal duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. If you were hurt because of a hazard your landlord knew about and failed to fix or warn you about, there may be a valid claim. However, the law also requires people to avoid open and obvious dangers. Claims against landlords are often heavily contested and require a reputable law firm to pursue them. Just because you are hurt on someone’s property does not make it a valid claim. TSR offers free case reviews and can help you figure out where you stand.

Premises liability is the area of law that holds property owners responsible when someone is injured due to an unsafe condition on their property. It covers a wide range of incidents: slip and falls on icy sidewalks, broken stairs, poor lighting, uneven flooring, and other hazards a reasonable owner should have addressed.

The key question in any premises liability case is whether the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn about it in a reasonable amount of time. However, the law also requires people to avoid open and obvious dangers. Claims against property owners are often heavily contested and require a reputable law firm to pursue them. Just because you are hurt on someone’s property does not make it a valid claim. Minnesota law also treats visitors differently depending on why they are on the property, which can affect what duty of care applies. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, TSR can evaluate the specifics and tell you whether you have a claim.

Yes. Property owners in Minnesota are responsible for addressing icy conditions within a reasonable time. If they knew about the hazard and failed to treat it, you may have a valid claim. However, you may be held partially or even completely responsible if the ice was visible or you were distracted while walking. Slip and fall cases are highly contested and gathering evidence at the beginning of the claim to show the conditions is crucial. Slip-and-fall-on-ice claims are particularly hard to win in Minnesota because of the belief that “everyone slips on ice.” If you are found more than 51% at fault, you are not allowed to recover any damages, no matter how hurt you are. TSR has experience with cases like this, including the time we recovered $475,000 for an 87-year-old woman who fell on ice outside her senior living high-rise.

Almost certainly yes. Under Minnesota’s strict liability dog bite law, simply petting a dog does not count as provocation. Provocation requires intentionally harming or frightening the animal in a way that would cause a normal dog to react. Owners frequently raise provocation as a defense to avoid paying damages, but Minnesota law sets a high bar for it. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you know that beyond the physical injuries dog attacks are often terrifying and leave long-lasting psychological impacts. TSR investigates these claims carefully and knows how to counter the usual insurance defenses.

It’s an uncomfortable situation, but your right to compensation doesn’t disappear because you know the owner. In most cases, a claim is filed against the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and not paid by the person directly. That means you’re not suing your friend or family member to collect compensation out of their own pocket. You’re making a claim against their insurance policy, which is exactly what that type of coverage exists for.

Usually the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. There may be other sources of insurance depending on who is harboring or caring for the dog. Either way, TSR can help identify every potential source of recovery in your case.

You have the right to pursue compensation from the driver who hit you. Pedestrians in a crosswalk usually have the right of way, and a driver who fails to yield has likely breached their duty of care. If you are hit as a pedestrian, your injuries may be more severe and you likely need an experienced attorney to gather evidence and help you navigate your claim. Call TSR before you speak with any insurance company. We’ll be able to make sure you receive what’s owed in relation to what you’ve faced.

It can! Minnesota’s No-Fault system establishes a priority order for coverage, and your own auto insurance benefits may apply even when on foot rather than in a vehicle at the time of the crash.

If you don’t have auto insurance, coverage may still be available through family you live with or the vehicle that struck you. The priority rules are specific and can be confusing. TSR can sort through what applies to your situation and make sure the proper insurance company covers the loss.

More than you might think. Workers’ compensation may cover your injuries, but it doesn’t necessarily prevent you from also pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you. The overlap between workers’ comp and third-party liability is complex. Worker’s comp and third-party liability claims cover some of the same losses, but they also can compensate you for different things entirely. If you have both a workers’ comp claim and a third-party liability claim, you need an experienced attorney who can work with workers’ comp while a third-party claim is made to ensure all sources of recovery are protected and you are fully compensated. Talk to TSR if you’ve been hit by a vehicle while working.

In Minnesota, wrongful death claims are brought by a court-appointed trustee on behalf of the family. The trustee manages the claim, handles settlement decisions, and distributes the recovery among next of kin based on each person’s loss. A judge must give final approval on how the money is divided. TSR will work with the family to pick a suitable Trustee, represent all heirs for a fair settlement, and obtain a final court order finalizing the settlement for the entire family.

Yes and no. Minnesota wrongful death claims can include non-economic damages such as loss of companionship, care, guidance, and emotional support. The human cost of losing someone is an official, recognized part of what families are owed. However, Minnesota law directly prohibits recovery for grief. The wrongful death statute and damages loved ones can claim are complicated. If you’ve lost someone due to the negligence of another, TSR is here to help.

For a long time in Minnesota, the answer was deeply unjust. If someone was seriously injured due to another’s negligence and then died before their case concluded (for reasons other than the legal case), their family could not recover compensation for what that person suffered. The pain endured in the final weeks, months, or years simply vanished from the legal equation.

TSR Injury Law played a direct role in changing that. The firm advocated for amendments to Minnesota’s wrongful death statutes that now expressly allows recovery for all damages the deceased suffered as a result of their injuries before death, not just the family’s losses from losing them. Insurance companies can no longer escape accountability for the suffering caused by their insureds simply because the injured person did not survive.

If your loved one suffered before they died, that suffering matters and it can be part of your family’s claim.

You have the right to pursue compensation on your child’s behalf, and liability can extend well beyond the individual who caused the harm. The facility owner, administrator, and other staff members may all share responsibility if negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or ignored complaints contributed to what happened. Minnesota has strict regulations governing licensed daycare centers and violations of those rules can serve as powerful evidence of negligence.

No amount of money erases what your child went through. But taking legal action can help cover medical costs, therapy, and long-term care while holding the people responsible accountable. It also may protect the next child from abuse. TSR understands how important it is to stand up for your child and seek accountability if your child was injured at a day care. Our attorneys are experienced at pursuing these claims. TSR has recovered multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for children harmed while at day care.

Brain injuries are among the hardest injuries to both suffer from and prove they occurred in a legal case. Symptoms can often be delayed or dismissed by insurers as unrelated to the accident. An experienced attorney makes sure that doesn’t happen.

TSR works with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners to document the full scope of your injury and connect it directly to the incident that caused it. We handle all communication with the insurance company, gather evidence, organize your medical records, and build a case that reflects both what you’re experiencing now and what you might face in the future.

TSR also understands that recovering from a brain injury is hard in ways that go beyond the physical. That’s why we promise to keep communication clear, manageable, and stress-free throughout the process.

No matter how many options there are, from the start to finish of any claim our team will make sure you’re informed of your options and the potential consequences of any choice. After that, we’ll work with you to make the best one for your unique situation.

Working with TSR Injury Law means working directly with the attorney handling your case from the very beginning to the very end. You’ll have direct access when and where you need it.