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
The most common violations related to drivers and vehicles in Minnesota are speeding, failure to wear seat belt, and failure to yield right of way. All of these violations can lead to car accidents or to more serious injury if a car accident occurs.
General Motors issued at recall December 18, 2009 on certain models of Corvettes equipped with a removable roof due to adhesive failure between roof panel and the frame. If the roof flies off while being driven down the road, it could strike a vehicle following and cause personal injury or property damage. This recall may involve more than 22,000 vehicles.
General Motors issued a recall December 18, 2009 on 2010 models of Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles for failing to comply with the federal safety requirements that deal with the windshield defrosting and defogging systems and the controls and displays systems. The software is defective and may lead to the heating, A/C, defrost, radio controls, and panel illumination to become inoperative. Driving without a functioning defrost system can reduce visibility and lead to a car accident. This recall involves more than 59,000 vehicles.
Volkswagen issued a recall December 14, 2009 on the 2009 Audi Q5 manufactured between November 25, 2008 and June 4, 2009. A piece of pillar trim may not have been manufactured correctly, allowing the trim to become loose when the sideguard head protection airbags deploy in a crash. If the trim dislodges when the airbag deploys, it could injure the front seat occupants. This recall involves more than 6,000 vehicles.
Volvo issued a recall December 17, 2009 on certain models of Volvos equipped with a defective fuel pump flange. If the flange cracks, it could lead to a fuel leak and be a fire hazard. The recall is for vehicles sold or registered in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and the United States Territories. The hot climate and temperature cycling over time, have resulted in cracked flanges. This recall involves more than 130,000 vehicles.
No fault insurance coverage pays for medical bills (up to the limits provided), replacement services, lost wages, retraining, and funeral expenses. You are covered whether you were at fault or not. You are covered by 
Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration neck injury most frequently incurred in a motor vehicle accident. It involves soft tissue injury and sometimes bone structure damage. The soft tissue includes ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Soft tissue injuries are seldom revealed through x-rays. An MRI is more effective for diagnosing these injuries and any instability in the neck and spine; but due to the expense, an MRI may not be requested by your doctor or authorized by your insurance company.