Category: Vehicle Accidents
Issues Caused by Car Accidents in Minnesota
August 14, 2015 | Adriel B. VillarrealThousands of car accidents happen every year in the state of Minnesota. While some drivers walk away unharmed, countless others are not so lucky. Serious injuries, fatalities and extensive damage are often the result of car accidents caused by negligent or impaired drivers. The victims of these accidents are often left with costly medical bills and lost income. The emotional trauma of the incident causes both the injured victim and their family grief and heartache. If you’re going through the aftermath of a car accident, contact BGS today for a free consultation about your specific situation. Common Causes of Car Accidents There are numerous factors that can cause a car accident, but some of the most common ones include: Distracted drivers Texting and driving Cell phone use Speeding Hazardous roadways Driving under the influence When another person is to blame for your injuries, it doesn’t matter what the cause is, but understanding why the accident took place will help you prove your case. Injuries Caused by Car Accidents Car accidents can cause a wide range of personal injury; some minor and others catastrophic. We have worked with car accident victims who have suffered: Burn injuries Spinal cord injuries Brain injuries Lacerations Broken bones Back and neck injuries Internal injuries Concussions If you have…
Read MoreFINALLY: A NEEDED CHANGE
April 9, 2015 | John T. BuchmanLast session, the Minnesota legislature finally passed and Governor Dayton signed into law, a provision that increases some of the benefits available to victims of car crashes here in Minnesota. This was a long overdue increase to wage loss and funeral expense benefits under Minnesota No-Fault Act. Minnesotans injured in car accidents have had, since the No-Fault Act was first created 40 years ago, the right to 85{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of any wage loss or income reduction due to injuries suffered in a car crash. However, for the last 30 years, that has been limited to a maximum of $250 a week. As a result, most wage earners could not survive long on $250 a week. The No-Fault Act also provided $2,000 for families who had to pay the expenses of burying a loved one who was killed in a car crash. The new law increases the maximum wage loss benefit to $500 a week. Additionally, the funeral expenses have been increased to $5,000 (which is still much less than the typical funeral cost of $8,000 – $10,000). These new benefit amounts became effective January 1, 2015, for any collision occurring after that date or for any policies renewed after January 1, 2015. It is our position that this would apply to people that were…
Read MoreLiberty Mutual Insurance Subject of Another Class Action Lawsuit Concerning its Automobile Accident Claims Handling
January 28, 2015 | John T. BuchmanA chiropractic clinic pursued a “class action” suit against Liberty Mutual and several of its subsidiaries, including Safeco Insurance, in the state of Illinois. A class action suit is one in which the class representative acts on behalf of many claimants when the monetary value of each claim is relatively small and it would seldom justify lawsuits on behalf of each individual. There is a proposed settlement awaiting court approval. The basis of the claim is that Liberty Mutual would pay less than the amount charged by an injured person’s medical providers. The claimant alleged that Liberty Mutual used a computerized bill review system to reduce its payments, which was not disclosed to its insureds. The proposed settlement also references two similar lawsuits against Liberty Mutual in the states of Washington and Oregon. The class action suit also includes Minnesotans who purchased No-Fault Insurance from Liberty Mutual or Safeco. If you have been injured in a car accident due to another’s negligence, the attorneys at BGS will help recover the compensation that you deserve. Under the terms of the agreement, if approved by the court, Liberty Mutual would have to pay medical care providers pursuant to an agreed health care cost database for a period of five (5) years after the date of…
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