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In 2009, speed was a contributing factor in 28% of Minnesota’s fatal crashes, and about 20% of crashes on rural two-lane roads were fatal. Many of those car accidents were due to passing maneuvers. If you have suffered injury in an accident where the offender was using excessive speed, you may be able to obtain compensation for:

• medical expenses
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• other damages

It is written into Minnesota state law that drivers are to use duty of care when operating a motor vehicle — that includes obeying the speed limit. Our firm will investigate the accident to establish fault. We will then use those facts to prove liability. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling car accident cases — with excellent results, including a recent car accident settlement for $400,000.

Call 612-362-0000 | Free Consultations | No Fee Until We Win

The Minnesota State Statute dealing with duty of care and speed limits is 169.14. It is as follows:

Subdivision 1. Duty to Drive with Due Care

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. Every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards then existing on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

Subdivision 2. Speed Limits

Where no special hazard exists the following speeds shall be lawful, but any speeds in excess of such limits shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful; except that the speed limit within any municipality shall be a maximum limit and any speed in excess thereof shall be unlawful:

(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district;

(2) 65 miles per hour on noninterstate expressways, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 18b, and noninterstate freeways, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 19;

(3) 55 miles per hour in locations other than those specified in this section;

(4) 70 miles per hour on interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of transportation;

(5) 65 miles per hour on interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of transportation;

(6) 10 miles per hour in alleys;

(7) 25 miles per hour in residential roadways if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the residential roadway (signage is required); and

(8) 35 miles per hour in a rural residential district if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the rural residential district (signage is required).

Subdivision 3. Reduced Speed Required

The driver of any vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when:

• approaching or passing an authorized emergency vehicle stopped with emergency lights flashing on any street or highway
• approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing
• approaching and going around a curve
• approaching a hill crest
• traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway
• when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions